Introduction
To a certain vintage of racing fan, Lester Piggott will be the Frankie Dettori of their day. A true legend of the sport, Piggott claimed some incredible awards over his career, and took part on a variety of steeds and horses. With close to 4,500 career wins, including an unbelievable 9 Epsom Derby wins, Piggott set the tone for the idea of superstar jockeys and larger-than-life personalities who modernized the sport and made it far more popular.
Career Summary
Known for being a jockey of style and class, he helped to make flat racing jockeys become personalities as much as professionals. Known for creating a style that to this day people still try to replicate, Piggott was a trend-setter as well as a talented jockey. Charismatic and stylish, he won trophies with regularity and done so with a flair that his rivals simply could not get anywhere near.
Across his career, he stayed 30 pounds under his natural weight, in-keeping with a personality which was known all about being a hard-nosed and competitive winner who never gave up.
Achievements & Highlights
With so many to list, it would be hard to break down a career that won trophies in 9 different nations. From his later wins in Slovakia and the United States to his dominance of the British racing scene, Piggott set a precedent that will be hard for many, if any, to match.
Major Wins – 2,000 Guineas (1957, 1968, 1970, 1985, 1992), 1,000 Guineas (1970, 1981), Epsom Derby (1954, 1957, 1960, 1968, 1970 1972, 1976, 1977, 1983), Epsom Oaks (1957, 1959, 1966, 1973, 1975, 1976), St. Leger Stakes (1960, 1961, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1984).
Associations – Never Say Die, Crepello, Petite Etoile, St. Paddy, Sir Ivor, Nijinsky, Roberto, Empery, The Minstrel, Alleged, Teenoso, Shadeed, Royal Academy, Rodrigo de Triano.