FAMOUS FIVE

Five facts about the greatest jockey that ever breathed air, Lester Piggott.

1 Lester’s first Derby winner was Never Say Die in 1954 at 33-1.

2 Lester also won the St Leger (8 times), the Oaks (6) and the 2,000 Guineas (5).

3 He was champion jockey 11 times and also won the 1,000 Guineas twice.

4 He rode Nijinsky to a Triple Crown (the 2,000 Guineas, Derby and St Leger) in 1970.

5 At the age of 54, just 12 days after his prison release, he won the 1990 Breeders’ Cup.

IT’S incredible to think that today marks the 70th anniversary of Lester Piggott’s first ever victory.

Flat racing’s greatest jockey was just 12 at Haydock in 1948 when he bagged the first of his 5,300 career wins.

After that victory, his mother Iris said: “He is quite a good rider, but will never be as good as his father. Don’t make a fuss. Lester is a very ordinary boy.”

Some 46 years later, after winning 30 classics, including nine Epsom Derby’s, Lester’s ‘ordinary’ career came full circle when he rode his last winner in Britain at Haydock in 1994.

Lester, who moved to Switzerland to be closer to his money, will be attending Haydock today as a special guest of honour.

It’s great to see the Long Fellow’s achievements celebrated whilst he’s still around to witness what he meant to so many racegoers.

When you put a bet on Lester you could trust him to fight for your money every inch of the way – and that’s all a punter can ever ask of a jockey.

Well, besides a tip.