Lester Piggott

[He's here!]

Passed away at 86. Phenomenal jockey.

[Hibernia&Alba]

An iconic sportsman, not just a racing icon. Everyone knew who Lester Piggott was, racing fan or not. Won his first raced aged twelve! An old rogue, as tight as two coats of paint with his money, which landed him in jail for tax evasion. A genius and a larger than life character. My dad says my great-gran, who loved a bet, would always check what rides Lester had. That's how far back he went.

[Pretty Boy]

His career had almost incomprehensible longevity. Rode his 1st winner under rules (aged 12) in 1948 and his last in 1994 and retired in 1995. That's a career of 47 years and he was still competitive until near the end as well.

He wasn't without his flaws. The legal issues obviously and he was a headstrong and contrary sort when the fancy took him but every single jockey cites his as an inspiration, the man who made them want to be a jockey. They all say he was the type who didn't give praise lightly so when he offered it up it meant something. He could be scathing about things he didn't like; be that rule changes, opinions (he was indignant that Frankel was almost unquestioningly called the best horse ever) or outsiders criticising the industry.

His record in the classics and at Royal Ascot is something to behold. One of those figures who transcended their chose support.

They just don't make them like that anymore.

[Hibernia&Alba]

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His career had almost incomprehensible longevity. Rode his 1st winner under rules (aged 12) in 1948 and his last in 1994 and retired in 1995. That's a career of 47 years and he was still competitive until near the end as well.

He wasn't without his flaws. The legal issues obviously and he was a headstrong and contrary sort when the fancy took him but every single jockey cites his as an inspiration, the man who made them want to be a jockey. They all say he was the type who didn't give praise lightly so when he offered it up it meant something. He could be scathing about things he didn't like; be that rule changes, opinions (he was indignant that Frankel was almost unquestioningly called the best horse ever) or outsiders criticising the industry.

His record in the classics and at Royal Ascot is something to behold. One of those figures who transcended their chose support.

They just don't make them like that anymore.

Very true. In addition to being a genius in his field, Lester was like a rock star in his pomp. Loved to travel, liked the ladies, went to the best restaurants etc. The George Best of racing, but without the bevvy, obviously.

[Greenbeard]

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Very true. In addition to being a genius in his field, Lester was like a rock star in his pomp. Loved to travel, liked the ladies, went to the best restaurants etc. The George Best of racing, but without the bevvy, obviously.

Agree. His living legend aura and persona were all the more amazing given his speech and hearing difficulties, but not in a brash cocky way.
Mind as a kid/teenager growing up in the late 60s/70s with a dad who liked a punt, nags with The Pig on their back were rarely backed as you just felt the odds were squeezed due to him being on board. Occasionally came in for some derision if he didn't quite get up on a favourite but that was just because of the amazingly high level of expectation his brilliance bestowed on those who punted on him. The GOAT without any doubt.

[Hiber-nation]

Always reminds me of Saturday afternoons in front of the TV back in the mid 60s, just before I started to get taken to Hibs games. Before the race my Grandad saying "That yin'll win it" and I wondered how he got it right so much. Of course it was the one with Lester on it's back. "That's it Piggott, gie it the stick!" he used to shout. Looking back, Lester's use of the stick was a bit too much but you can't deny his place in the sporting hall of fame, racing's no 1 icon.

[Hibernia&Alba]

All jockeys today wearing black armbands for the great man, of course.