Piggott, Lester

Lester Piggott, in full Lester Keith Piggott, (born November 5, 1935, Wantage, Berkshire, England—died May 29, 2022, Switzerland), one of the world’s leading jockeys in Thoroughbred flat racing. He was the British riding champion 11 times (1960, 1964–71, and 1981–82).

Born to parents whose families had long been associated with the turf, Piggott rode in his first race at the age of 12. He won the Derby nine times (1954, 1957, 1960, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1976, 1977, and 1983), the St. Leger eight times (1960, 1961, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1972, and 1984), the 2,000 Guineas five times (1957, 1968, 1970, 1985, and 1992), and the Oaks six times (1957, 1959, 1966, 1975, 1981, and 1984) along with other major British races. In 1974 he rode his 3,000th winner and in 1982 his 4,000th. By the time of his first retirement, in 1985, he had won about 4,350 races in all, and his 29 victories in English Classic races were more than any other rider. In 1970 he rode Nijinsky to victory as the winner of the English Triple Crown. Piggott won numerous classic races in France and Ireland as well. He later became a horse trainer.

Piggott was created an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1975, but the honour was withdrawn after he received a three-year prison term in 1987 for income tax evasion. He served about one year and was released in 1988. In 1990 Piggott came out of retirement to resume his career as a jockey. He notably won the 2,000 Guineas in 1992, bringing his total English Classic race wins to an unprecedented 30. He retired for a final time in 1995.