The Greatest Jockey Of All Time! | The Legendary Lester Piggott | Three Of His Finest Rides Of All

One of the all-time great riders, former jockey Lester Piggott won almost 5,000 races across his incredible 40-year-long career, including the Epsom Derby nine times.
Enjoy three of his top performances at Ascot, Goodwood and the Breeders' Cup.
Did your favourite Lester ride make the shortlist?
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[@jenniferjones188]

So sad at the death of Lester Piggott a brilliant jockey best ever sheer class

[@nickedwards2904]

Royal academy , what a ride

[@laurencewainwright]

Rest in peace, Lester Piggott, the greatest jockey of all time.

[@philipbanner4642]

Absolute genius in the saddle. The world will never see his like again...

[@sugarman4354]

I grew up watching Lester with my Dad. The Minstrel, Ardross & Teenoso were stand outs for many reasons. Lost my Dad to COVID last August. Losing his racing idol in the same year is kind of poetic in a way. I hope he's now riding some winners in heaven for my Dad.. 🙏

[@whitespider8523]

I first became aware of Lester Piggott as a nine year old when he won the 1960 Derby on St, Paddy. I've followed racing all my life and watched hundreds of races and jockey's but Piggott was the ultimate master craftsmen, nobody else comes close.

[@johntooth1886]

Fantastic was he not!

[@marshalltherion]

The Minstrel. Sensational riding. It’s bloody awesome..

[@tonynaccarato4751]

The greatest jockey, without question, trainers and jockeys alike would agree, a genius a

[@jean-emile5004]

A great great jockey. But, Yves Saint Martin, Even better. Sassafras vs Nijinsky.

[@quick46]

@@jean-emile5004 utter rubbish, YS-M not even the best French jockey

[@tannofficial9757]

He is the best french jockey, who either ?​@@quick46

[@deankeith830]

The galloping grandad , the long fellow , the living legend , that is Lester Keith Piggott ........ a true genius but a terrible accountant

[@songsmith31a]

Ken Dodd would surely agree! 🙂 But he had no peer aboard a thoroughbred racehorse.

[@ThefightingCelt]

I think his ride on Royal Academy was his greatest . To come out of retirement at 54 years old , and after only a few days , goes to America and beats the best they had , in the manner he did , was just typical of his genius in the saddle .

[@kevkeightley6943]

Ryan moore frankie dettori dont make me laugh not fit to clean lesters saddle . The greatest jockey the worlds ever seen

[@alfie4troy]

Dettori is the only one that gets any where near him.

[@lesblakeman]

His ride on Ribero in the St Leger was a masterpiece , the horse had a dreadful mouth abscess , and Lester knew the whole thing had to be hands and heels or defeat was guaranteed , needless to say he delivered to perfection

[@BoxersRealty]

I forget which racecourse I was at with my father, in the 70s. Probably Epsom or Ascot. I was standing where the horses & Jockeys exit the course, after the race, on their way to the paddock. Lester had just won a race and was passing by where I was standing. Maybe I was 11-12. I looked up at Lestor on his winning ride and shouted congratulations Lester. He looked down with a huge smile and gave me a thank you. Just one of those moments that I will never forget. Rest in peace Lestor and thank you for the memories!

[@johninspain5602]

I'm only a few years younger than Lester and was lucky enough to see him ride on many occasions, including winning the Leger on the wonderful Nijinsky. So my two favourites go back a bit further. Twilight Alley winning the 1963 Ascot Gold Cup was as good a front running ride as you will ever see, on a very talented but equally fragile horse, brilliant judgement of pace against a strong field. Pieces of Eight in the Eclipse Stakes of 1966 was also great but in a different way. I'm going from memory now but it seemed at the time the horse was beaten but Lester somehow managed to get his head in front on the line with a power finish. There is no doubt in my mind he is the greatest jockey there has ever been, I've certainly not seen his equal in my time.

[@leesog3203]

@John inspain John, you’re very blessed to witness what you have in racing.. and life for that matter :)

[@johninspain5602]

@@leesog3203 Thank you for your comment. You are quite right, and the older I get the more I appreciate it, especially in these troubled times.

[@leesog3203]

@John inspain It’s wonderful to savour your memories :) Do you remember much of Sea Bird and Ribot? Would you rate Frankel the best you’ve ever witnessed? I always struggle to separate the 3 of them, but I generally acknowledge Frankel as the best horse ever created :)

[@leesog3203]

@John inspain By the way, I was born hours before Dessie won his 4th King George! 😄 (In 1990) so my experience is nothing compared to yours.

[@johninspain5602]

@@leesog3203 Yes I remember Ribot and Seabird, in fact I watched Seabird win the Derby on a black and white tv in my boss's office, the race was on a Wednesday then, he was a very easy winner. Visually the most impressive Derby winner, in my opinion, was Shergar but that doesn't mean he was the best horse. I saw Nijinsky run twice in the flesh and he was a beautiful horse with great presence. It's always difficult to compare horses from different eras but for me I think Frankel is the best of my time and who is to argue with Sir Henry. My all time favourite flat horse is Mill Reef, probably because he was so small but extremely powerful. I was at Epsom when he had his last race, which he only just won but was found to be sick afterwards. I later saw him twice at the National Stud and he was a lovely little chap although he had filled out a bit then.

[@ianm2170]

Piggot was astonishing. The establishment despised him, but they knew he was a winner. When he got jailed for something they do on a daily basis, they sniggered, but this was his ultimate revenge, squeaky voice, and all...

[@gallopingg1]

he made so called world class jockey's look like amateurs.his brain was two furlongs in front of them. the maestro.

[@oslinthompson8182]

Unfortunately he will never get the knighthood he deserves.

[@aberlioness]

The reason why Lester has a "squeaky" voice is because he was born deaf. He taught himself how to speak by reading lips which is why he sounds so nasal. That's also why he appears so aloof.

[@harrysmith6502]

For me this man is the greatest there has ever been. Get well soon Mr Piggot. Xx

[@johnristheanswer]

* Piggott

[@fredwaller3234]

Lester will be Robert Sangster two greats of racing one an owner the other the best jockey ever

[@thesedreamsarefree]

Ardross had lots in hand so not sure why that stands out more than some of his other victories, Royal Academy on the other hand, especially coming from retirement, one of the great rides in racing.

[@johnflynn5044]

Oddly the Ardross Arc ride (albeit he was only second) was as a good a ride has he ever gave one but it never gets mentioned

[@frozenice61]

@@johnflynn5044 i remember that ride it was only a short distance for the horse and he was badly drawn that day but yes it was an incredible ride

[@G4RY1159]

Back in the days when people backed horses to win The lay bet only encouraged corruption and anyone can get a horse to lose, the people in the know are the lay bets best friend but it's a bad bet for racing.

[@thereckoning8326]

Every hair on my head stood to attention watching The Minstral run that race!!!

[@marjoriecoey3418]

Always liked The Minstrel.

[@johnmanning5568]

Remember the 1977 Derby? Lester v Willie…..The Minstrel v Hot Grove. I still say to this day that Hot Grove would have won the Derby if any other jockey had been on The Minstrel. Granted Lester broke the whip rules of today but nevertheless what a ride!

[@thereckoning8326]

@@johnmanning5568 fabulous to watch

[@liamg353]

How in the name of all that is holy could you class Piggotts ride on Ardross as one of his best, For God's sake I could have won on him myself.

[@whitespider8523]

You never get tired of watching the true master at work.

[@user-wm7mp2fl1p]

Lester Piggott is the only jockey I have seen to make a fading horse win from half a furlong from the winning pole Lester is the ultimate on the saddle certainly second to none

[@stevenostle7500]

Steven Ostle🙂Lester was that good that when he won the Derby on Roberto,if he had been riding the second Rheingold he would have won on that

[@HenryRaeburn367]

No 1 tax avoidance 3/1 No 2 prison sentence 2/1 No 3 threetoacell, evens No 4 out on parole 8/1 No5 good behaviour 9/1 No 6 prison warden 5/1 No 7 lose your Knight hood 1/3 There at the gate and their off

[@rawheadrex8487]

Why is the Ardross ride one of his best? My gran could have won on him, he had like 20 lb in hand.

[@shagbag6491]

The commentator said it all "the living legend"...we will never see the likes of him again

[@robertharvison6162]

fantastic! thank you a true legend

[@MrGlenshee]

Ageing myself here! The best race I have seen Lester ride was the 1961 Vaux Gold Tankard, at Redcar on a horse called Off Key. A 'rag' at 100-7, he made all and during the course of the race was challenged by just about every other horse in the race. Piggott was never going to concede the lead and as each horse made an effort he just kept finding more and more. It was an experience that has stayed with me throughout the years. One of the few ill-judged races that I saw him ride was on Park Top in the 1969 'Arc'. Caught napping by 'Sleepy' Bill Williamson on Levmoss, his effort was far too late, much to my pleasure as I had been tipped the horse by the trainser Seamus McGrath in the spring of '69, in a pub in Co. Meath, Seamus mapping out the schedule for the horse including the Ascot Gold Cup and a handicap under a huge weight before attempting the Arc. One of the more profitable years in my betting books!

[@mrvillan6951]

@mike mars I think you'd rather have a winner at 100-7?

[@vencejo7572]

Yeah, Lester got a lot of criticism for that Park Top ride, but Levmoss was some horse. I saw Levmoss at Leopardstown the previous year when he won the November handicap. He had finished third in the French St Leger but he wasn't fancied because here was a three-year-old giving away lumps of weight to older NH horses. Levmoss cruised up on the outside of the big field and sprinted away for an incredibly easy victory. Lester made few mistakes but I have to recall his big mistake with Roberto when he abandoned the horse to ride Rheingold in the International at York. The American owner brought over Braulio Baeza who gave the horse a sweet ride to beat Brigadier Gerard with Rheingold a distant third. God knows how many times Lester tried the patience of Vincent O'Brien. Greatest jockey and greatest trainer.

[@philiphowe2294]

That was a brilliant ride from Lester at 54 years old 👍 never be repeated 🐎

[@rjjcms1]

Awesome. Whoever bet against him made an expensive decision. How he wangled that win must have been all Greek to them.

[@mikilynne4558]

Best ride I ever witnessed was Shoemaker on Lord at War in the Big Cap. Hand ridden all the way, he held a wall of horse off all the way down the stretch. Shoe sat chill in the saddle. Amazing to watch.

[@stewarttimmins1672]

Thanks for the memories Lester

[@davidcaldwell6627]

I was at Chester Races in 1992, my wife put a bet on Lester Piggotts mount, as the horses came in to the straight Lester was last, the Mrs said Ive no chance, then with 1/2 a furlong to go this thing just strolled passed them all, yes it was Lester, and he could have been sitting on the horse reading the Liverpool Echo thats how easy it won

[@Richard-dp4fl]

love Lester... living legend indeed...👍🇬🇧

Just supreme The master and no one will ever come close.

[@stephenord3403]

What a generation of jockeys and horses 🐎. Brilliant

[@gedmustopt6060]

Truly Phenomenal Jockey with a Classics record that even the great AP McCoy said will never be beaten. Piggott was probably the greatest ever jockey to grace a racecourse, for the Sports Personality of the Year 2022 only to show a tiny picture of him in the obituaries section for about five seconds was an absolute insult... Shame on you BBC!!!!!.....😡😡😡

[@Nijinsky26]

Willie Carson, who has to be in the top 10 Jockey's of All Time, said it best in an Interview, when he talked about the 77 Derby, when he was riding Hot Grovve: I thought i had it in the Bag and along comes God........

[@shagbag6491]

The 77 Derby was one of the best with Hot Grove and the Minstrel battling out over the last furlong with Lester doing what he does best getting up on the line Willie had a great race but when you are up against Piggott it often wasn't enough.

[@Metroturnstation]

From Jamaica the best jockey ever long live the legend 54 ho gosh

[@thelovwoman]

I loved Ardross one of my favourite race horses

[@jakewalsh7220]

Superb racehorse and maybe the unluckiest runner up in the Arc - for once, Lester not to blame at Longchamp! :)

[@mohammedzulfiquar2605]

Le moss won 11 out of 15 races and beat ardross in the gold Cup

[@harddriven1344]

@@mohammedzulfiquar2605 True, but Ardross improved significantly when transferred to Henry Cecil.

[@peterwest5525]

My favourite was his win on the unfancied Karabas in the 1969 Washington DC International, the year after he´s been rubbished by the American press for his tactics on Sir Ivor in that race ( despite winning.)

[@garymay799]

Has a 14 year old 1976 I had 10p up and down I had about £1.20 going on Higham grey 33/1 piggott on Jupiter island won short head never forget that ,

[@stevenostle7500]

I remember the race apparently Lester was interviewed in the unsaddling enclosure and was asked by a reporter 'when did you think you had the race won Lester?'.Lesters reply 'about 3 weeks ago'

[@peterwest5525]

@@stevenostle7500 That was what he said.

[@Chrisb-ir2do]

I don't understand why the ardross ride is there 🤷🏾. When u can pick so many others.

[@johnmehaffey9953]

Loved watching lester even though I don’t gamble I enjoyed watching horse racing especially in the classics and big races, his 2 arcs on alleged were great rides he won from a very unfavourable draw when must of the pundits said that the draw would defeat him, hold my beer I’m coming through says lester

[@user-wm7mp2fl1p]

When talking of Lester Puggitt's best rides or leading rides the ride on Maryland's Cookie in 1981 should be taken into consideration it was a breathtaking finish which showed Lester at his fantastic best

[@mikeharrington5593]

The Royal Academy win was good but better was Roberto's defeat of Rheingold in the 1972 Epsom Derby - on a par with The Minstrel's short head victory over Hot Grove in 1977 which should have been in this video instead of the comfortable win of Ardross at odds on.

[@terenceprickett1264]

For me his greatest ride is when he won the Derby on Roberto he virtually carried that horse over the line, no other jockey would have won that race other than Lester. As the greatest jockey who ever lived the Queen who loved racing so much should be ashamed of her self that she never gave him a Knighthood.

[@theferret390]

Piggott was to racing what Ali was to boxing a legend of his sport the likes of we'll never see again.

[@sidbinns6160]

God Bless Lester

[@robertevans8010]

Every ride by the Long Fella was a Best ride, from a Seller to a Classic he always wanted to Win! To think he nearly won an Arc on Ardross.

[@theswampfox9584]

The Minstrel!!

[@yakoobmaumg5077]

Royal Academy was one of the greatest win by Lester , second great win was in Indian on Delage rank outsider horse from last to first , Greatest living legend.

[@nickayling9531]

Sir Ivor was his best ride.

[@peterfenton2750]

To handy with the whip for me...

[@sage6336]

Hats off to the Long Fellow

[@nickh4735]

Unbelievable ride to win at the Breeders Cup … unfortunately I think that was the same BC where Dayjur jumped a shadow to cost me a nice double!! (apols if I have the wrong year!)

[@roberthartley6629]

@Von Staufenberg and Nic, have a look at this race where Dayjur (the fastest i've seen) was being caught rapidly by Royal Academy over 6f. Indeed it was a terrible ride on Royal Academy. Now, in General in the big USA 1M races the hares come back to the field to give a held up 6-7F horse a chance to get up and this was what happened here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/kKWbgGN-nKudgtU

[@zeroelliott]

I saw him ride at Ellerslie RC in Auck. NZ. He had 6 rides for 5 wins and a second. I have never seen a jockey with such style, absolutely brilliant, a memory I shall always treasure.

[@johntooth1886]

Style.

[@soulsoul386]

The best

[@invisiblemaninvisibleman2097]

Cmon he’s got to be the greatest

[@paullambe9471]

Fantastic. Thanks for putting that up. I was only starting to get into horses when Lester won on Royal Academy, what a great story that was and at a time when European trainers didn’t send many horses to the US. Great jockey and will be missed.

[@debbimadan1973]

lester Piggots ride on Emprey in the 1976 Epsom Derby was fantastic

[@JonJonJonJonJonJonJonJon]

Will never be another Longfellow

[@alistairhartley2988]

You could never get a decent price on ardross there was very little up to his stamina

[@kepnjem]

Do they still not use starting stalls in flat races 2 miles and over? Ardross was a mighty horse.

[@mrvillan6951]

No, they don't use tape starts for flat races over two miles. And, yes, Ardross was a mighty horse.

[@megatyusribinyau5986]

The best jockey

[@decoratedhero3525]

Never tire of seeing this ride on Nijinsky kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4bIiYiaZpmbaNE

[@stevenostle7500]

Been watching racing for 60 years,best ride by lester, was on a lowly handicapper called Pee Mai trained by Reg Hollinshead in a race on a bank holiday monday at Doncaster.10furlongs made all won in a 3 photo lester never moved a muscle.

[@elastronaute1198]

Eh, if he won in a three-way photo and 'never moved a muscle', that is NOT a good ride. The trainer/owner would be furious. And so should punters, although they tend to only care about the end result.

[@youdoonedoes3984]

The Goodwood Cup was delightful - a tape start: eliminates the ‘stall’ skeletal pressure.

[@williammitchell9974]

We Were All So Lucky To See Thee Ultimate ( King) Lester In Action { GRH}Easily Thee Best Worldwide Ever👌👍👏👏👏🎉Bravo🎉 CLASS👌

[@dionsands3113]

The greatest jockey-James mcdonald would disagreed 32 years old nsver lost a premiereship now 8 sydney titles in a row .Lester couldn't achieve this.Don't confuse longevity with ability.Even gun gary moore hasnt achieve this.

[@johnfitzjohn4300]

The Man Was The Best Ever

[@daveluck5717]

The Minstrel won 'cheekily' ,,, Royal Academy won with grit and determination

[@jamesyoung579]

Sublime ride Ardross.

[@raygordonteacheschess5501]

I wish my name were Lester Piggot (or Flavian Prat).

[@Caroni100]

Lester Keith Pigott (November 5, 1935 - May 29, 2022) * 4,493 Wins * Height: 5 feet 8 inches * Weight: 117 pounds * British flat racing Champion Jockey 1960, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1981 & 1982 🏇 * Empson Derby Wins 1954, 1957, 1960, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1976, 1977 & 1983 🏇 * 2,000 Guineas Wins 1957, 1968, 1970, 1985 & 1992 🏇 * 1,000 Guineas Wins 1970 & 1981 🏇 * Empson Oaks Wins 1957, 1959, 1966, 1975, 1981 & 1984 * Saint Leger Stakes Wins 1960, 1961, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1984 * 1970 British Triple Crown Winner / Nijinsky 🏇 * 1990 Breeder´s Cup Mile Winner / Royal Academy 🏇 * Inducted to The British Champion Series Hall of Fame in 2021 🏇 * Order of the British Empire in 1975 (OBE) 🏇 * Rest In Peace, Champion! We´ll always remember you! * Best regards from Venezuela Lester Keith Pigott (5 de Noviembre, 1935 - 29 de Mayo, 2022) * 4.493 Primeros * Estatura: 1,73 metros * Peso: 53 kilos * Jinete Campeón de carreras planas en Gran Bretaña 1960, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1981 & 1982 🏇 * Derby de Empson 1954, 1957, 1960, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1976, 1977 & 1983 🏇 * 2.000 Guineas 1957, 1968, 1970, 1985 & 1992 🏇 * 1.000 Guineas 1970 & 1981 🏇 * Saint Leger Stakes 1960, 1961, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1972 & 1984 * Empson Oaks 1957, 1959, 1966, 1975, 1981 & 1984 * Ganador de la Triple Corona Británica 1970 / Nijinsky 🏇 * Ganador de la Copa de Criadores Milla 1990 / Royal Academy 🏇 * Exaltado al Museo de la Fama de los Campeones Británicos en 2021 🏇 * Orden del Imperio Británico en 1975 (OBE) 🏇 * ¡Descansa En Paz, Campeón! ¡Siempre te recordaremos! * Saludos desde Venezuela

[@connorconnolly4866]

You knew when Lester was " Holding a doudle handful " that the race was over and he was going to win.

[@penelopelopez8296]

The greatest jockey of all time is a very debatable subject. People tend to forget the jockeys from the early 1900s who rode with severe injuries, no insurance and very little money.

[@billycooper8686]

“Greatest jockey of all time” absolute joke of a title. Jockeys only hold back horses they don’t make them better. The animal is dependant on who wins, not the human.

[@sfdsd07]

My all time favorite jockey. Much love from Malaysia

[@basillinton4099]

One off sports true champion

[@shameelmaqbool2951]

Sir lester piggott he was God gifted horse jockey he was phenomenal he born only doing horse riding never ever will come again like sir lester piggott he was only one salute on you he was one of the most number one jockey in the world may god give you rest and peace

[@luddite2702]

Best ever jockey.

[@mickharrison9004]

The thing that is always sad in this game ,it's always been bent but these days much worse there was a time you could win now and then ,but now it's nothing but misery for proper punters putting money on you must try and leave it for your life ,they go on about piggot but he as many do got many favs beaten .

[@user-wm7mp2fl1p]

Lester Piggott is the only jockey I have seen doing the wind screen wiper finish with a fading horse half a furlong home winning by a short head the wind screen wiper is pushing with the left hand whilst whipping with the right hand a feat seen by no one other than the best

[@bawhatever5260]

Joe mercer the first jockey I really backed in the bookies

[@johnheard824]

He greatest ,no question.

[@alfie4troy]

Thanks for this upload, brings back memories.

[@horsecodenumbers]

He sat on a horse the horse does the work and you don't need whips it's a numbers game 🤣🤣🤖😁👀

[@VilhelmHammershoi1666]

Lester stole these races like the Great thief he was , one of his fellow inmates stated he would cheat at cards he hated getting beat that's how great he was

[@LarryFogarty]

all opinions..mine is sir ivor 68 english derby his best

[@jakeblues5854]

His funeral is on Monday 20/1

[@bawhatever5260]

Egg and champagne diet!

[@pipersson9258]

*What was Lester Piggot Like as a person, did he sign autographs, was he popular with the other jockeys and trainers, in the USA there are jockeys with 5500 to 8000 wins, are these American Legends better, was Lester tight with money, did he ever buy a Rolls Royce, was his wife happy, so many unanswered questions, rumours are circulating he was not a pleasant or nice guy to know. In fact, hated amongst fellow Jockeys.*

[@harddriven1344]

Best to separate Lester the jockey, and Lester the man. As a man he probably didn't have the qualities of say Gordon Richards, Joe Mercer, or Fred Winter.

[@spleeeen4it]

where was commanche runs leger?

[@wongsinwah5429]

🇬🇧Best jockey 🏇

[@geoffreyking4515]

We had some fine jockeys in those days,mercer,hutchinson, Lewis Carson, but he was the number one

[@barbaradyson6951]

What a clown Starkey was, putting his right hand out like that. Don't get that today.

[@junioradam8073]

One of the most phoenominal ride I ever witness by the greatest was in 1981 whereby Piggott was aboard a horse named Maryland's Cookie anyone interested in seeing greatness in action get a view of Maryland's Cookie's race

[@quick46]

Interesting that Vincent thought the ride on The Minstrel was one of his worst efforts, adamant that he hit the front too soon..........it's in the book about him by Ivor herbert

[@incensejunkie7516]

Perhaps you're thinking of Pat Eddery on El Gran Senor in the '84 Derby?

[@quick46]

@@incensejunkie7516 No, it was this one, Vincent only criticised two rides from Piggott, this one & Alleged's Leger

[@incensejunkie7516]

Thanks for clarifying.

[@quick46]

@@incensejunkie7516 It probably needed clarifying cos most people wouldnt have seen a lot wrong with that ride - Apparently Vincent only wanted him in front 100yds out due to Ascot being so much stiffer than Epsom and the Curragh and he felt (rightly having seen this) that they were right on the point of the horses stamina running out

[@incensejunkie7516]

@@quick46 I do recall Lester saying The Minstrel was absolutely spent at the finish, that he had nothing left in him. Didn't know about Vincent's reaction. Thanks for adding a very interesting fact! There are so many shades of racing fans on here. Some really interesting facts and discussions to the "War Admiral was 18 hands, I saw it in the movie!" ;-)

[@rc2869]

Royal Academy is unbelievable

[@asangster6582]

Who’s the commentator for the first race? Grew up recognising his voice but can’t remember?

[@myfrobert]

Sir Peter O'Sullivan.