Lester Piggott began riding racehorses when he was a 10-year-old boy, with his final win coming in his 60th year. In the intervening five decades, he established himself as arguably the greatest jockey of all time.
He won 4,493 races; was champion jockey 11 times; prevailed in a record nine Derbys among 30 Classics triumphs; and enjoyed 116 Royal Ascot winners.
He rode countless champions, chief among them perhaps being the Vincent O’Brien – trained Nijinsky, who won the Triple Crown (The 2000 Guineas, Derby and St Leger) in 1970.
TRIBUTES POUR IN FOR SPORTING LEGEND
Legend. RIP Lester Piggott pic.twitter.com/DHmpnzi7Ol
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 29, 2022
Lester Piggott, who has died aged 86, was in the constellation of his era, with Pele and Muhammad Ali. Born to ride, silently charismatic, a supreme judge of pace, deadly in a finish. Racing will feel shattered by his going. pic.twitter.com/vvhJuLDF25
— Paul Hayward (@_PaulHayward) May 29, 2022
"The Greatest" 🐐
— Champions Series (@ChampionsSeries) May 29, 2022
An 11-time Champion jockey, Lester Piggott was the first rider to be inducted into the Hall of Fame last year.
His long list of remarkable achievements in the sport will never be repeated.
RIPpic.twitter.com/4jBVgx8fkw
"He was a very special man. Every word he said, you really hung on to."
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 29, 2022
Aidan O'Brien pays homage to the legendary Lester Piggott. pic.twitter.com/JgNTN2HOUX
'Epsom is where his spirit belongs – for on a racehorse Lester Piggott was nothing short of a genius… His glow should never dim.'
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) May 29, 2022
A fitting tribute to a man who did things others could only dream of.
Rest in peace, Lester.
🎙 @broughscott pic.twitter.com/4lUGUIFZut
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