Lester Piggott

Think of Robin Hood, or the Scarlet Pimpernel. Or even Jesse James. There was a little bit of the Great Outlaw in Lester Piggott: enigmatic, often in trouble, and adored by the people in the street. Lester defied the rules of charisma: very soft voice, never very friendly, always composed, always keeping to himself in public. Ah, but that face, "like a well-kept grave," as somebody said. The intensity of his facial expression was Mount Rushmore-ready--a la Clint Eastwood. When he returned to riding in 1990 (post High Point) and...

Lester Piggott, widely considered to be the greatest Flat jockey of all time, died in the early hours of Sunday morning. He was 86. A legendary figure and champion jockey on 11 occasions, Piggott won the Derby nine times, having ridden his first winner at the age of just 12, in 1948. He retired with 4,493 victories to his name. Born in Oxfordshire in 1935 to a family steeped in centuries of racing history, Piggott's riding career spanned more four decades. In that time he rode the winners of 30...

Former jockey Lester Piggott, who had been hospitalised in Switzerland on May 22, is improving, daughter Maureen Haggas revealed at Haydock on Saturday. Now 86, the legendary reinsman and 11-time champion jockey has ridden nine G1 Derby winners. A member of the QIPCO British Champions Series Hall of Fame, the retired rider boasts 30 Classic victories among his 4,493 total winning rides. Haggas, who is married to Derby-winning trainer William Haggas, said, "I went to see him earlier in the week and he's improving, which is good news. He's much...

It hasn't been a bad week for William Haggas. The Somerville Lodge stable cat has recently gone AWOL for fear that he might be entered up at Catterick and would have to live up to the extraordinarily rich vein of form currently being exhibited by the larger quadrupeds whose fetlocks he rubs up against during evening stables. Over the last fortnight 41 horses have been sent out by the trainer and 17 of them have returned home with a trophy to add to the cabinet. Most impressively, 10 of those...

Legendary jockey Lester Piggott has been hospitalised in Switzerland, according to Piggott's son-in-law William Haggas. Haggas is married to the former champion jockey's daughter Maureen. A nine-time G1 Derby-winning rider, the jockey is 86. Haggas told Sky Sports Racing, "I believe he is in hospital and I think Maureen is going over tomorrow to see him. Jamie, his son, is there today. He's battling a bit, but he's a tough man. Hopefully he'll pull through and get home as soon as possible. "All we can do is train plenty of...

The late Vincent O'Brien, a master trainer on the Flat and over jumps, is the first of his profession to be inducted to the QIPCO British Champions Series Hall of Fame. His name was announced along with three equine stars of the 1970s, Mill Reef, Nijinsky and Brigadier Gerard (GB). Marking the 10th anniversary of QIPCO's sponsorship of the British Champions Series, the Hall of Fame was launched in May with the inaugural inductees Lester Piggott and Frankel (GB). During an illustrious career, O'Brien notched 141 Group 1 wins, with...

Legendary jockey Lester Piggott and Juddmonte's undefeated champion Frankel (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) are the inaugural members of the QIPCO British Champions Series Hall of Fame. Born on Nov. 5, 1935, the 11-time Champion Jockey (1960, 1964-1971, and 1982) began riding at age 10, and booted home his final winner at age 60. Among the champions that Piggott rode was British Triple Crown hero Nijinsky (Northern Dancer) for trainer Vincent O'Brien. Nicknamed the Long Fellow, Piggott is 5' 7 ½", and he rode 4,493 winners including 30 British Classics and 116...

Retired trainer Robert Armstrong passed away on Feb. 5 after a brief illness, reported Racing Post. He was 77. A trainer of champions Moorestyle (GB) (Manacle {GB}) and Never So Bold (GB) (Bold Lad {Ire}), Armstrong trained from his Newmarket base of St Gatien Stables for 27 years until 2000. He was a third-generation trainer after his father and grandfather. In total, his horses won 13 Group 1 races. Sheikh Hamdan utilised Armstrong as a trainer for approximately 15 years until his retirement. One of the notable winners in the...

British Triple Crown hero Nijinsky II (Northern Dancer) won the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S. 50 years ago this year, and was awarded the QIPCO Diamonds & Pearls award, Ascot Racecourse and QIPCO announced on Thursday. The award celebrates the winner of a vintage renewal of the King George. Owned by Charles W. Engelhard, Jr. and trained by Vincent O'Brien, the bay delivered as the only 3-year-old in the field, having already claimed victory in the 2000 Guineas, Epsom Derby and Irish Derby. After his King George triumph,...