Tribute to Lester Piggott

Iconic jockey Lester Piggott has passed away at the age of 86. We pay tribute to the great man, a true legend of the sport of horse racing.
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[@attheraces]

What's your favourite Lester memory?

[@paulconway7186]

Oh god that's so hard there are so many. The minstrel in the derby, what a ride. Alleged in the arc, twice! And the magnificent nijinsky! Not forgetting his riding of one of my all time favourites arrows. But what sums up my feelings for Lester is when I went to , I think it was Leicester races for his comeback and I'd backed a horse against him but found myself shouting for Lester to beat me! My absolute hero.

[@freedomforpeopletruelies6]

Listen to him talk about ripping up Vincent O'Briens gallops

[@keithf_]

Great question, At ! I'd probably say the ride on Nijinsky in the 1970 King George. What a performance by horse and rider ! Nijinsky was such a truly great horse IMO. But there were other times, in lesser races, when Lester shone. Like the way he rode that classy stayer John Cherry. I also remember a handicap he won on Yamadori, where the horse maybe had a ton on his back but Lester finessed the horse so beautifully to win by about a head.

[@John-ed2wj]

His balance on a horse.

[@davidharrison9501]

too many but i remember him "borrowing" a rival whip after he dropped his.. his first derby win summed him up never say die when he was riding

[@davidrobinson2776]

Only Muhammed Ali could be considered his equal in sport. Lester was this county’s greatest ever athlete. He was unique. A man who defied the laws of physics by declaring war on his own body to become the best jockey we will ever see. Many will ride more winners, many will win more championships but no one will come close to his genius. Travel easy, Lester.

[@leefroch4242]

Agree 👏. RIP great man U will be missed.

[@csb7376]

I doubt very much that many will do either, very few if any in fact.

[@janeminwell4395]

Well said.

[@suemaher5282]

What a great comment David

[@johnnywires943]

Mohamed Ali destroyed his record.He should have stopped at Foreman.

[@markjex9035]

THE ONLY JOCKEY ! That could cast a spell 🪄 on the Horse ,and the horse knew that . Best Ever will never be another , pure CLASS.

[@tonynaccarato4751]

Well said.

[@Pey-Gang]

😂😂😂😂the most overated and corrupted jockey in the history of horse racing

[@Bubba-wb1ts]

A part of every racing fan, died, today. Thanks for the memories #Legend

[@dougreed2257]

Well put bubba 1407👍

[@keithf_]

You're so right !

[@leefroch4242]

Totally agrees RIP Lester

[@elsalioncub]

The greatest Jockey that ever lived

[@Nautilus1972]

Frankie's not finished yet....

[@thomas6069]

William Shoemaker was the best jockey to ever live.

[@ulster2020]

Rex “single” Dingle ….. remember the name lol 😂

[@JSB-IZ-ME]

Yep

[@JSB-IZ-ME]

Bill shoemaker best US jockey but Lester best of all

[@keithf_]

As a naive 13 year old, it was that summer of 1970 that kindled my love of horse racing. The glorious image of one brilliant horse and his brilliant jockey. Thankyou Vincent O.Brien, Nijinsky and Lester Piggott. Today is a sad day, but what memories. RIP Long Fellow.

[@suemaher5282]

Great comment Keith he's up in heaven with Vincent and Peter O'sullivan RIP Lester

[@seamusfallon3104]

You are not the only one

[@oslinthompson8182]

I suspect it is the same for many of us. I never paid much attention to horseracing as a kid, until hearing about Lester Piggot and Nijinsky on the telly. I was hooked, and from then on bought the Daily Mirror every day with my pocket money, to read the racing pages and follow the exploits of Piggott, Carson, Eddery, Mercer, Starkey, etc. They were wonderful childhood memories!

[@leefroch4242]

@@suemaher5282 👏 all the great pilots Pat E and Walter S will be sat at the table. RIP great man Lester

[@suemaher5282]

@@leefroch4242 Hope so Lee

[@anotherblonde]

Thank you Lester for all those amazing days. RIP

[@dimitrioskoutsoukos956]

Respect for Lester, from a Greek sportsman. R.I.P Sir. Then, Now and for Ever. Riding the Sky..

[@paulcoxon2134]

Hi with a Yorkie bar in his mouth because when he was riding at York he always Yorkie bar

[@lennydickens9943]

Met him 1983 in London jockey club we just nodded

[@Exercise_as_Medicine]

He did amazingly well on Royal Academy... perfect!

[@sionrouge1697]

RIP Lester. Thank You

[@williamhill2828]

Every course he rode a winner at should start the next meeting with a minute's applause. A true legend and someone who gave me a lifelong interest in racing. Rest in peace Lester.

[@davidharrison9501]

great idea

[@darrenremington6422]

Here Here 👏👏👏

[@jamespeters3636]

Well said

[@Rebeljustforkicks]

I remember as a child my lifelong passion for horse racing ignited watching Lester Piggott and Nijinsky winning the Triple Crown in 1970.Awesome jockey,awesome horse.Absolute legend 👏. RIP Lester. Thanks for the memories.

[@keithf_]

Agreed. It ignited my love of horse racing too. It was beautiful to watch, but you also knew you were watching sporting greatness.

[@marciamcgrail5889]

That horse cudda won with a sack on his back..or me, even

[@cristianobitoku2887]

Nijinsky / Piggott = best duo ever ! RIP champ. From france

[@ronparsons463]

His will to win and judgement will never be equaled,a one off genius.

[@russamehta]

Thank you for all the memories Lester. A class apart.

[@brianfarman2747]

Undoubtdly the greatest flat racing jockey in my lifetime

[@johnjenkins4392]

Mine too Brian. Well said.

[@stevenfinch9026]

Well said

[@Mike20216]

Only one lester, the greatest

[@johnmooney9403]

A remarkable man and a genius!

[@robjanko3010]

Then Now and Forever. The Greatest

[@kevinmitchell-wright7454]

It's like this roberto only won the Derby because Lester was on board if he had been on Rheingold then here's your winner I remember many years ago Lester rode a horse called Mr bojangles for Ken Payne a northern trainer a hold up horse a considerable gamble was taking place on this horse Lester said to Payne you won't see me till the line just over a furlong out Lester was nowhere to be seen midfield at best I think there was 16 runners Payne nearly had heart attack all hope was lost then it happened Lester delivered Mr bojangles with such coolness and dropped his head on the line to win Lester God bless bless you wonderful memories

[@peterchristopher8702]

he even rode here in New Zealand winning here on sailing home in 1972 at Te Rapa R.I.P. the longfellow Lester

[@markperryman2311]

Never be another.......RIP .....🙏

[@philipcarthy2977]

Very sad news, rest in peace lester, absolute genius in the saddle.

[@iqbaljeenally4044]

Sir Lester.. Rest in Peace... Great Jockey

[@paulconway7186]

Lester. Just hearing that name invokes such incredible memories, of great horses from the golden age of racing, and great jockeys, but standing above them all like a follow us was Lester. The greatest of them all. Totally unique, totallybrilliant. A true genius the like of which we will never see again.thank you for all those glorious memkoriess Lester. Rest in peace.

[@derekthesec]

Thanks for the memories. Enjoyed seeing Teenoso winning the Derby on TV.

[@eugenebell3166]

It's hard to imagine a world without Lester Piggot. His very name is synonymous with horse racing. As soon as you say it it conjures up an image of horses flying down the track. He certainly lived a very purposeful life, and I'm sure he enjoyed every minute, which is the whole point of life

[@leefroch4242]

Very hard to imagine, so true. RIP great man.

[@goldenmiller8627]

From one legend to another, i salute you Lester.

[@dougreed2257]

Sad indeed,i loved lester piggott,but my late brother was a 'super follower' of lester,he'd have been gutted had he still been here😔,RIP lester piggott and ed reed😓

[@peterellwood7103]

RIP LESTER U R A AWESOME MAN ONE OF THE BEST IN HIS PROFESSION WILL SURELY BE NEVER BE FORGOTTEN

[@thilaksurasinghe5041]

The Lester Piggot is one of the greatest jockeys in the world. His name and memories are still be with lots of racing fans in throughout the world. R I P

[@dakg8034]

Quite a fitting tribute to one of racing's greats. May chariots of horses carry this gallant racing warrior to his final place of rest. So long old guy, you did your part. R.I.P.

[@Kevin-lf4xx]

My favourite sportsman of all time .Thanks for the golden memories Lester .

[@frankmcnally01]

A great jockey he was, but a sportsman he was not.

[@johnjenkins4392]

@@frankmcnally01 Maybe not Frank, but you have to admit he was a great athlete and competitor.

[@hughjohn7778]

@@frankmcnally01 if he's not a sportsman then why is racing called the sport of kings !!

[@philcollins2546]

There's Sir Lester at the top of British jockeys and there are many competing for second place.

[@davidthomas450]

My friend was a apprentice jockey riding at Windsor one day against the pros of which lester was one, he was in the weighing room shakin when lester walked in and said who is so and so to which my friend meekly put his hand up , lester said to him I’ve got 2 pieces of advice for you the first one is keep your mount straight and the second was and keep out out my f@@@king way.😂 A truly great horseman who lost his knighthood but Philip green who stole pension pots from 12,000 employees kept his . Lester was old school for sure. And yes the GREATEST RIP lester 🌹🌹🌹

[@keithf_]

I think Lester should've eventually been forgiven and his knighthood restored.

[@georgeknox1822]

He will never be matched . A pure riding genius .

[@mihalymarte621]

Good races in the Heaven's turf, Lester ! RIP

[@lutzgrellmann1053]

Such a great jockey ! We will miss him , his style , his art of leading his horse to its best.

[@michelleelmore3126]

My favourite jockey of all time since i was 12 years old, may you rest in peace ( this long fellow of the racing world)

[@hughjohn7778]

Greatest jockey ther ever was and ever will be RIP Lester

[@JSB-IZ-ME]

Lester was at one with a horse, when you are born into something you are destined to be so much more than just an average participant and so this proved. Your name will forever be mentioned as “The Greatest Jockey” and your passing will be mourned by the many lives you enriched. Rest well legend.

[@jbyeats]

It hs been a great priviledge to have witnessed at first hand ' THE LONG FELLOW ' riding here in Ireland , at the Curragh. What wonderful memories . May he rest in peace.

[@suemaher5282]

There was a lovely photo in the racing post today of Lester Pat Smullen and Michael Kinane at the Curragh Patrick

[@yorkiesteve9453]

I thought he was going to live for ever, he wasn't really one of the jockeys that I followed in his day, I was more for Willie Carson & Steve Cauthen, but there's no doubt that Lester was a good & clever jockey, he seemed to be able to trick a horse & get it to produce that little bit extra, just enough to win the race. R.I.P Sir.

[@richardwalker1880]

What a fantastic man 👨 and we never thought that LESTER would ever die ❤ we always thought that we would have him until 100 but sadly he was very tired 😫 and very poorly 😢 in hospital 🏥 😢 rip long fellow you were RACEING GOD BLESS YOU LESTER

[@yorkiesteve9453]

Strange that Steve Cauthen was @ Epsom today, not heard about him for decades, and now wondering if my comment had anything to do with his sudden appearance 😊

[@peterkemp1973]

He carried a much longer whip than most riders and did not use it sparingly on his mounts. He was a well known miser and wouldn't shout even if bitten by a shark. Some pundits claim that he, indeed, gave three cheers in celebration for something but took two of them back shortly after!

[@joseguedes2498]

I talked to him in 1986 at Newmarket. He autographed The Epsom Derby book I had bought minutes before. It was a once in a life experience. I deeply hope God receives him in His best way. Rest in peace, Lester.

[@michaelholt9670]

3 rides - 3 wins @ Pontefract- all his riding skills - last to first - making all & the use of the whip to just get there - Genius

[@suemaher5282]

Us racing fans are a base of opinions but to read the comments to Lester is unique because we all agree. The man was loved by us all. RIP Lester the Legend

[@shrikantnikam2293]

His ride in India on NORA was memorable one ...RIP ..LEGENDARY..

[@Nautilus1972]

He was undoubtedly a great jockey, but fortunate to have found Vincent O' Brien who put him on the best horses. They helped each other. R.I.P. Lester.

[@thereckoning8326]

God- like timing. Guaranteed goosebumps. Great innings. Travel well.

[@peterlast2478]

A legend .

[@ThomasDoubting5]

Great men find success in thier chosen field , legends change the game .. rip Lester

[@dennisdobin8640]

What made him such a good rider,he told us in the interview after the race in NY,THEY hesitated he could read the pace,the situation better than your average rider.

[@brianholden772]

The long fellow,best jockey ever to grace a racecourse He was only person that could win on a horse called Sica Dan which was a 4 furlong horse

[@paulconway7186]

Oh wow I have often told my younger brother a bout Rica Dan and it was amazing to read your comment. Thank you

[@brianholden772]

Sica Dan was a flying machine over 4 furlongs

[@Pureblood10000]

Lester was a racing god,I’ll never forget him🙏

[@christophergibbons4197]

A remarkable talent to the world of horse racing. A standard to all up and coming jockeys. Lester has bèn one of the most memorable. My thoughts are to his family and everywhere fan of this remarkable man jockey and horse lover. R.I.P Lester. You and always will be a LEGEND!!!

[@themanftheworld8439]

The greatest flat racing jockey of all.

[@oval291]

Greatest in England probably……top 100 internationally. Probably about 92 and I am being generous…..good tribute video tho

[@pauldonohoe3646]

@@oval291 92nd 😂😂😂😂🙈

[@johnjenkins4392]

@@oval291 The only thing you said that I agree with, is it was a great tribute video. As for the rest, come on, greatest in England probably, PROBABLY? I would have thought that's well beyond debate. And as for being 92nd globally, that's just laughable. I bet you can't name 10 world jockeys better than him, let alone 91😂

[@oval291]

@@johnjenkins4392 Yes I gave him his flowers in England I said probably because some would argue Willie Carson, Sir Gordon Richards even Pat Eddery. He was very a good jockey and definitely one of the greats in the English sporting landscape. Bill Shoemaker the goat then daylight

[@johnjenkins4392]

@@oval291 The only one on that list I would agree with you on is Sir Gordon Richards. He was well before my time, but some of his numbers do back up your argument, ie total career winners, plus he got to 200+ winners in a season more than once, which Lester never did. In fact his record of 269 in a season stood for a long long time, until AP McCoy I believe broke it, but that was over jumps. Willie Carson will tell you himself he couldn't match Lester, and I don't think Pat could either. Both very good jockeys mind you. As for Bill Shoemaker being the, what did you describe him? GOAT? Maybe in US dirt racing perhaps, but he came over to England, rode in the Epsom Derby a couple of times, was a failure. No good in British/European turf racing.

[@johnnywires943]

Just used to stop everything just to watch Lester Piggott on the telly.Loved this great win of his in 1990.What made it more emotional was that Royal Academy was a grandson of the great Nijinsky.RIP SIR Lester Piggott and thank you.

[@matte1980]

Ciao lester 🥺

[@rickycr7560]

Rip 🙏 legend 🙌

[@suesomner754]

Lovely tributes here - what I’d give to hear the chatter of those icons sat at the Great Table! For me it was the Nijinsky/Vincent/Lester partnership that cemented awed admiration too. RIP indeed great man 🤩🙏

[@johnrowan693]

I grew up watching Piggott,eddery,Cauthen,Carson,Kinane. The good old days and top jockeys all of them. RIP Lester!

[@exciting6428]

You are 100% right all these top jockeys also rode in Hong Kong in the 70's 80's. I live in HK and also bet on horses as one of my hobbies. Lester winning in Hong Kong on horse called Nazakat carrying 154 lbs heavy weight by short head really precise ride no jockey on that race or any race day can beat Lester. Lester God of horses.

[@theartoffighting879]

LEGEND!

[@stevemartin7798]

The number 1 jockey of all time, no argument,

[@paulburke1762]

The passing of a legend ! RIP Lester.

[@johnmercury2272]

Lester Piggott and Nijinsky what legends, both of them.

[@patsheppard2616]

Thank you for giving us the chance to see him.

[@Alfredromeothatsme]

There is a 40 year old woman in the north of England who has 9 children by three different men and never had a job in her life. She has lived off the state for 25 years. She has contributed absolutely zilch to society and never will. Here we have a man who arguably is the greatest to have ever sat in a saddle and contributed more to society than millions and yet is tainted with being a tax dodger. Great world we live in!

[@Gibraltariano]

Nice tribute

[@jakubwidlarz]

The John Wayne of Racing has ridden off into the sunset.

[@janeminwell4395]

'Bizarre, unique, brilliant'. And a household name, for people not interested in racing.

[@scottrooney8954]

Lester the most jockey looking jockey ever!👌☘️

[@Wicked_R]

Not afraid to use the old whip Lester to say the least. Don't know how much I can admire really.

[@marciamcgrail5889]

You are right - too many are blinded by the man’s celebrity to see the animal abuser he actually was in his determination to make money from a similarly cruel money making industry.

[@stallion3997]

The guy was evil, with is whip…🖕

[@tonymahon5025]

Nijinsky and Lester.will always live long in the Memory.

[@valeraGR]

Rest well, Lester. May you ride with all your great mounts of the past in heaven. Thank you for blessing this sport with your otherwordly talents. There will never be another like you.

[@Connor500]

RIP Lester Piggott.

[@bernardbrannigan]

I remember Lester as a young kid in the 80s and 90s he truly was a great of all time , breeders cup win arguably his best RIP

[@jameswarner7995]

As an 18year old in the Royal navy, going to Goodwood for the day and watching Lester sweep down the outside on Cheveley Princess for Harry Wragg. Simply the best.

[@robertharvison6162]

thank you what a legend

[@wafldread2770]

The greatest jockey of all time. A genius. Rip longfellow...

[@abdullahaboobakker1758]

Legend lives on forever 🙌 ❤ 👏

[@vishonnarine9450]

GREATEST R.I.P. SIR

[@robjanko3010]

To John hunt who narrated. We all feel your pain. Your beautiful family gone tragically too soon. God bless

[@pauldonohoe3646]

An absolute shame that his title was taken from him😔

[@bacteria1924]

He rarely had to lift his stick brains ,hands and heals.I don't think we will ever see the likes of LP ever again.Condolences to Tracy and family.

[@stevefowler3398]

Meeting him at Newmarket was a joy. He was very much at ease with the punters.

[@pauldean7445]

The Greatest!

[@user-wm7mp2fl1p]

We must be grateful to be in the era of Lester Piggott to see such skills aboard a race horse Lester had a time clock in his head as he knew when ti pull the trigger and kick for him no matter what position he was in the race I remember he told a friend to look for him in the last forty yards before the finish line on a horse called Kathie's Lad and so said so done Lester appeared from nowhere to lead one hundred feet from the finish line there is no words to describe Lester but GENIUS

[@iancarpenter6298]

simply the greatest...rest in peace lester...and thankyou ...💖..

[@NickOToole-jb6dm]

GENIUS = ‘An extraordinarily natural instinctive ability’ that’s what LESTER had and what precious few Jockeys ever had before or since

[@maryryan9464]

Only few raise to legendary status but Lester was breaking all records from such young assuming age, but in a sport of kings piggott was higher n harder than most with unbelievable constitution and perfect poise in the saddle he will surely be remembered fondly as the greatest, to that knew him best and the best that knew of him.. Rest in peace Lester piggott

[@WESSERPARAQUAT]

Superb Tribute nicely narrated by John Hunt

[@mikewhitcher6853]

Class of the highest jockeys

[@shannonbooth9164]

Hail Lester!!! King of the Turf!! Rip my King!! 🙏

[@johnflynn5044]

Its not immediately obvious and some footage is clearer but Lesters mount nearly came down off the home turn .. A remarkable man

[@stevenfinch9026]

What a man.

[@markplatt1768]

May 29th 2022 The day Mr horse racing died

[@martin7955]

I thought he'd live forever if I'm not mistaken when he was jailed the English embassy received more letters of complaints when lester was jailed than for any other occasion, rest in peace lester , ull always remind me of old ireland pints in the pub and the bookies ! And I'm not fifty

[@frankfriedrichheckmann3519]

The best Jockey from the World.Lester Piggot ist unforgetten

[@kurman4749]

There will NEVER be another jockey to compare with Lester. He was one of a kind.

[@stallion3997]

Jeepster….f…off

[@francescawood1490]

He was the best ask any other jockey riding against him Brilliant ….