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Lester Piggott (1935–2022), legendary British jockey  

by Kirk Fox

Lester Piggott was a legendary British jockey who won the Derby in England a record nine times.  

Record-breaking British jockey

Lester Piggott was England’s most famous jockey, winning the country’s prestigious Derby race a record nine-times. He was champion jockey 11 times, won 30 British Classics and had over 4,000 wins. He began riding at a young age out of his father’s stable, winning his first race at the age of 12. Piggott won his first Derby aboard Never Say Die in 1954 at the age of 18. His record ninth Derby win came in 1983 aboard Teenoso. He retired from racing in 1985 to become a trainer but was convicted of tax fraud in 1987 and served a year in jail. He came out of retirement as a jockey in 1990 and won the Breeders’ Cup Mile aboard Royal Academy at Belmont Park in New York. He retired from racing for good in 1995.  

Tributes to Lester Piggott

Full Obituary: BBC

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