The late Lester Piggott is arguably the greatest jockey of all time. He passed away at the age of 86 in 2022. Ironically, Piggott was born on Guy Fawkes Day, November 5, 1935.
There was no more mythical figure in the history of horse racing than Lester, whose balance, judgment of pace, riding artistry, and finishing power reached realms that seemed almost surreal. He possessed an ice-cool temperament, resembling an iceberg, and was never deterred by even the most adverse situations. It was rare to find a sportsman, let alone a jockey, with a more relentless will to win or a more ruthless competitive spirit.
Piggott’s understanding of the horse was unparalleled—like a mother nursing her child. One could engage in soul-searching to explore the unique rapport he shared with his famous horses, which constituted one of the most harmonious syntheses between horse and rider ever witnessed.
Lester’s magic touch won races by resurrecting horses that seemed absolutely beaten or given no chance. He would simply pounce from obscurity with characteristic coolness, reminiscent of Clint Eastwood in a gunfight. No jockey was more adept at penetrating the most impregnable gaps or overcoming the worst conditions. Piggott had a matchless ability to make a horse stretch while keeping it dead straight, his balance almost defying the laws of gravity—akin to an acrobat’s trick.
Piggott earned the nickname “The Long Fellow” because of his unusual height among jockeys at 5ft 8in. However, he became popularly known as “the housewife’s favorite” during an era when he won nine Derbys, with the Epsom Classic being the most famous race in the world.
Piggott introduced or pioneered a new “shorter” race-riding style with raised stirrup leathers, marking a new trend in the art of jockeyship.
Racing Career
Lester was born into a family deeply rooted in the racing fraternity—he was quite literally born and bred to ride. His grandfather was a champion steeplechase jockey, while his father, Keith, was a former champion jumps jockey turned trainer, who introduced Lester to race riding in 1948 at the age of 12. Despite being handicapped by partial deafness and a speech impediment, young Lester camouflaged an intense competitive will to win. He secured his first victory aboard The Chase at Haydock, offering early glimpses of a glittering career in the saddle.
In the 1952 Epsom Derby, Piggott was pipped at the post by Tulyar while riding Gay Time, denied victory by three-quarters of a length. A furlong out, he had a golden chance, but then broke his stride.
Piggott won his first Derby at 18 on Never Say Die in 1954 at odds of 33-1. The colt strode away powerfully in the straight, finishing with relish. However, Piggott was soon banned “until further notice” by the stewards for what they labeled “dangerous riding” on Never Say Die at Royal Ascot, just weeks after his Epsom triumph. He returned six months later and, in 1955, replaced the retired Sir Gordon Richards as jockey to Noel Murless, securing the most coveted riding job in British racing.
As stable jockey for Murless, Piggott steered Crepello to classic victories. After a hard-fought win in the 1957 2,000 Guineas, Crepello sliced through the field with contemptuous ease in the Epsom Derby, displaying stunning acceleration to win spectacularly. Sadly, Crepello had to retire prematurely that same season due to a tendon injury.
Piggott also won the 1954 Oaks on Carrozza, demonstrating true classical style by penetrating a narrow gap to hit the front two furlongs out, staving off a spirited challenge from the Irish filly Silken Glider. In 1960, Lester rode St Paddy with precise timing to claim the Derby, hitting the front two furlongs from home, using only hands and heels.
Eventually, a dispute arose between Murless and Piggott, leading to their parting ways. This, however, proved to be a blessing in disguise, as Piggott then joined the legendary Vincent O’Brien at Ballydoyle, marking his most successful years during the 1960s and 1970s. His association with O’Brien led to victories aboard some of the greatest racehorses of all time, including Sir Ivor, Nijinsky, Roberto, Alleged, and The Minstrel.
Statistical Landmarks
Lester was consistency personified, winning the Jockey’s Championship title eight consecutive years from 1964 to 1971 and again in 1960, 1981, and 1982. In 1966, he rode a record 191 winners in a single season. However, more than championship titles, Lester was a maestro in winning classics and big races.
In 1968, he dominated the season, winning the 2,000 Guineas, Epsom Derby, St Leger, Irish Derby, and the Washington International.
In 1970, he completed an unprecedented Triple Crown victory aboard Nijinsky, adding wins in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Irish Derby.
Piggott won a record 9 Epsom Derbies and overall secured 30 British Classic victories.
He finished his career with an astonishing 4,493 winners.
While Gordon Richards was statistically superior with 26 Jockeys’ Championship titles, and Fred Archer had a higher win percentage, Lester’s greatness was beyond mere numbers. Pat Eddery equaled Piggott’s tally of championship wins, but in terms of artistry and influence, Piggott had no peer. Perhaps only Frankie Dettori can be considered his closest modern-day incarnate.
Personal Character
Lester Piggott was a complex personality. He never held grudges for long, nor did he remain angry. He spent most of his time not thinking about people but about his horses. He was not self-analytical but rather unselfconsciously observant. He could be inconsistent in his interactions with others and often avoided answering questions.
Piggott once asserted that to him, everyone in the human race was alike—he did not care whether someone was Black, White, or Chinese. He also ensured that he answered all his fan letters, further cementing his legacy as a man of the people.
Greatest Horses Piggott Rode
Piggott rated Sir Ivor as the best horse he had ever ridden, over the brilliant Nijinsky. He believed Sir Ivor was the toughest horse he had ever ridden, possessing the most devastating finishing speed. However, in terms of raw ability, Nijinsky was his greatest mount.
Among other horses he admired were Crepello, Alleged, and Rheingold, all of whom left indelible marks on racing history.
Final Tribute
Some of the biggest names in horse racing, past and present, gathered at a memorial service in London to honor Piggott. At St. Luke’s Church in Chelsea, Derby-winning trainer William Haggas (who is married to Piggott’s eldest daughter, Maureen) described him as:
“A man revered in all parts of the world and one of the few invariably known by their Christian name.”
Lester Piggott was not just a jockey—he was an artist in the saddle, a phenomenon, and a legend whose impact on the sport will never be forgotten.
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*Freelance journalist
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