Epsom to run Derby in memory of icon Piggott
IN what is believed to be an unprecedented move, this year’s Epsom Derby will be run in memory of Lester Piggott, who died on Sunday at the age of 86.
The legendary jockey, who won the premier Classic an astonishing nine times, had a special affinity with the race.
Jockeys will wear black armbands across both days of the meeting, while there will also be a minute’s applause at 1.15pm on Friday when a wreath in the colours of his 1970 winner Nijinsky will be laid at Piggott’s statue on the lawn of the
Queen Elizabeth II Stand. There will be a further minute’s applause at around 4pm on Saturday before the Cazoo Derby (In Memory of Lester Piggott) is run at 4.30pm.
Phil White, the London regional director for Jockey Club Racecourses, said: “No jockey is more synonymous with our most famous race than Lester Piggott.
“Running the Cazoo Derby in his memory, which we believe has not been done in the 242 previous editions of the race, is a fitting tribute to one of the greatest jockeys of the modern era and the recordholder for most wins by a rider.
“We want to give racegoers on both days the opportunity to pay their respects and celebrate the life and career of this extraordinary sportsman, and we hope that taking the unprecedented step of renaming the Derby shows the high esteem in which Lester is held.”
He added: “I would like to thank sponsors Cazoo for accommodating this request and we hope it will allow for a fitting tribute.”
■ Epsom-based handler Adam West could launch a two-pronged assault for local glory on Saturday with halfbrothers Live In The Moment and Live In The Dream both set for the Simpex Express ‘Dash’ Handicap.
Live In The Moment has five career victories to his name, but it is his younger half-sibling that is all the rage for the five-furlong sprint following back-to-back victories at Sandown and Chester.
“It would be very good to go double-handed and the owner is keen, but we’ll do what is right by the horses on the day,” explained West.