Pain grips the world of horse racing as news breaks that Lester Piggott, the legendary British jockey, has died. He passed away last Sunday morning in a Geneva hospital, at 86, leaving behind a career defined by heroic wins, record-breaking moments, and countless anecdotes. Described by philosopher and author Fernando Saver as someone whose talent seemed destined for immortality, Piggott’s legacy looms large across the sport.
Piggott stood as a towering figure in sports. He earned respect and admiration on racetracks around the globe, racking up an extraordinary total of 4,493 victories over nearly five decades. His triumphs spanned major derbies and prestigious meets such as the Derby, Guineas, and Ascot, dating back to 1948 when he began riding at age 12, and continuing to his record-breaking run in 1995 at age 59.
a tall rider
Born in Newmarket, the cradle of English racing, Piggott came from a racing lineage that spanned three generations on his father’s side. He was instantly recognizable for a steadfast, serious expression and notable height, earning the nickname “The Long Fellow.” Standing around 1.73 meters, he proved that height was no barrier to becoming the greatest jockey of all time. He dominated the post-war era, achieving victories wherever he rode, including stops like the La Zarzuela track where he delighted Spanish fans on occasion.
Money never evaded him, yet Piggott’s life also touched the darker side of racing lore. In 1985 he faced prison for a substantial tax-related case, a scandal that stripped him of certain honors and titles granted by the Queen. Yet he returned to racing with a ferocity that few could match. As rival Willie Carson observed on Sky Sports Racing, friendship with him felt impossible for some, akin to a thorn in one’s side.
very personal style
Historians described Piggott as a modern centaur—economical in speech, always surrounded by the white smoke of a cigar. His refined driving style, marked by a lighter stirrup and a compact, efficient ride, influenced a generation of jockeys who emulated his methods. Italian rider Frankie Dettori, often cited as a contemporary parallel, noted that many tried to imitate him but never quite matched his impact.
He remained a friend and ally to Britain’s royal circle. Despite the controversy surrounding his tax case, Piggott drew admiration for how he carried himself. He was well acquainted with Elizabeth II and was honored on Epsom Derby Day in 2019 with a statue commemorating his career. He remains a symbol of British racing excellence and a reminder of the era when he redefined what a jockey could achieve, remembered today as the era’s greatest rider.
Pain takes over world of horse racing. He died last Sunday morning in a hospital in Geneva (Switzerland). British Lester Piggott, greatest horse racing jockey of all time. At 86, he is leaving behind a legendary career filled with unforgettable victories, incredible records and surprising anecdotes. A jockey as described by the philosopher and author Fernando Saver“It was predestined for immortality.”
Piggott was an iconic person in the sports world. respected and admired on racetracks, won as many races in nearly 50 years, up to 4,493, which would be a shortage of paper to be able to print and review one by one. Among them are many Derbies, Guinea and Ascot’s since 1948, when he decided to ride a racehorse at the age of 12, until one day he broke the record in 1995 at the age of 59.
a tall rider
He was born in Newmarket, the cradle of English equestrianism, in a family where three generations were involved in the racing world on his father’s side. he was always characterized by his invariable serious face and exaggerated stature., hence the nickname “The Long Fellow”, a height of up to 1.73 meters, which does not prevent him from being the greatest jockey of all time. He was the greatest rider of the post-war era, with victories wherever he raced, including at the La Zarzuela racetrack, where he occasionally attended to delight Spanish fans.
Never short of money, Piggott did not escape the horse racing world of black literature lovers. He was imprisoned in 1985. For defrauding 650 million old pesetas and the Queen of England II. To deprive him of all the honors and titles Elizabeth had given him. His response was to go back to racing and winning, combining that act with a ferocity that no rival could match. “I can’t say we’re friends with someone like a thorn by their side. It’s hard to fall in love with someone who hits you all the time.” Jockey Willie Carson told Sky Sports Racing, one of its biggest rivals at the time.
very personal style
His image was like that of a “centaur” as historians of his time described it, consisting of a few words and always surrounded by the white smoke of their cigarsThe delicacy and distinctive driving style, which he quenched the hunger and thus gave weight to the scales, showed the horse on the road, was associated with the shorter stirrup and created a new driving style. So everyone copied it, but for Italian jockey Frankie Dettori, who is his current clone on the racetracks, “We’ve always tried to be like him, but none of us succeeded,” he said..
First of all, this fangio, Cassius Clay anyone Maradona from the equestrian world, he was also a great friend of the British royal family. Despite the tax evasion scandal, he was always admired and amused by himself. II. Isabella. Piggot knew him well and felt particularly recognized for this in 2019 when the queen honored him by discovering him on Epsom Derby day. a statue in honor of his entire equestrian career. The ninth who graced British racecourses and today more than ever remembers who the greatest jockey of all time is.