PIGGOTT FACT FILE

1948: Lester Piggott, aged 12, wins his first race at Haydock on August 18.

1950: He rides 52 winners as he finishes the season champion apprentice.

1954: Piggott, now 18, partners Never Say Die (33-1) to the first of his nine Derby victories.

1960: Successes in the Derby and St Leger help to win a first jockeys’ championship with 170 successes.

Marries Susan Armstrong on February 22.

1965: Rides eight winners at Royal Ascot.

1966: Piggott wins fourth championship with his highest ever total of 191.

1970: Wins 2000 Guineas, Derby and St Leger on Nijinsky, the first horse to win the Triple Crown for 35 years.

1973: Rides Rheingold to record his first success in the Prix de l’arc de Triomphe after 16 previous failures.

1975: Awarded OBE.

1976: Rides record seventh Derby winner on Empery.

1977: As contract rider to pools magnate Robert Sangster, Piggott wins the Derby, Irish Derby and King George VI and

Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes on

The Minstrel.

1981: Now attached to Henry Cecil, he wins 1000 Guineas on Fairy Footsteps a week after nearly losing an ear in a starting stalls accident.

1982: Wins the last of his 11 jockeys’ championships.

1983: Teenoso carries him to his ninth win in the Derby.

1984: Piggott breaks record set by Frank Buckle 157 years previously when winning 28th Classic on Commanche Run in the St Leger. Loses his job with Cecil, who signs up Steve Cauthen in his place.

1985: Retirement is announced at end of season. Rides 29th Classic winner, Shadeed in the 2000 Guineas.

1986: Piggott sets up as trainer in Newmarket, saddling 30 winners including one at Royal Ascot.

1987: Wins first Classic as trainer with Lady Bentley in the Italian Oaks. Jailed for three years for tax evasion in October.

1988: Stripped of OBE. Released from prison after serving a year of sentence.

1989: Returns to saddle with three rides in Peru.

1990: Return to race riding announced and Piggott finishes close second on first ride back. Gains memorable triumph in $1million Breeders’ Cup Mile in New York on Royal Academy.

1992: Wins 30th British Classic on

Rodrigo de Triano in 2000 Guineas.

1994: Rides last winner, Palacegate Jack, at Haydock on October 6.