Lester Piggott dead – Horse racing jockey who won Epsom derby nine times dies aged 86
HORSE racing legend Lester Piggott has tragically died aged 86.
The nine-time Derby winner was considered one of the greatest jockeys in the 20th century and the Queen’s personal favourite.
During his impressive 46-year career, Piggott – nicknamed The Long Fellow for his 5ft 8ins stature – managed 4,493 wins.
He sadly passed away this morning after spending time in hospital in Switzerland.
His cause of death or reason for his hospital admission has not been revealed.
Tragically, Piggott was said to be on the mend amid hopes he would leave hospital.
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Piggott was regarded as one of the best Flat riders of all time and was honoured in 2019 with a statue at Epsom unveiled by the Queen.
He won the Derby a record nine times – including on 1970 Triple Crown winner Nijinsky.
Piggott got into riding as a young boy and rode his first winner as a jockey in 1948, aged just 12.
His first Derby winner at Epsom came six years later on Never Say Die.
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Piggott’s final win was on Palacegate Jack in 1994 and he retired a year later.
The legend was crowned champion jockey 11 times between 1960 and 1982.
He was also inducted into the British Champions Series Hall of Fame last year.
The jockey was also known for his antics off the racecourse and was famously jailed for three years for tax fraud in 1987.
He famously returned from his spell in prison to win the Breeders’ Cup Mile on Royal Academy at the age of 54 in 1990.
In 2007, Piggott was admitted to intensive care with a heart problem but made a quick recovery.
He also had ‘routine tests’ on his heart in 2018.
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Piggott lived in Rolle on the outskirts of Lake Geneva with his partner Lady Barbara Fitzgerald.
It came after he split with his wife Susan, who he had been married to for 52 years and shared two daughters with.
