RIP Lester Piggot

[Andy S]

Did anyone ever win money on a nag he was riding? RIP

[Dodgin]

First bet I ever had Never Say Die, Derby Winner, that was 68 years ago. Lester, one of the greats. RIP

[filham]

Stepped into the shoes of the great Gordo Richards and outgrew them. A real legend of the turf.

[Beamer]

There is a great Lester story about his tax affairs which I don't know to be true but really hope it is. During the investigation the Revenue really didn't want to prosecute such a much loved character and gave him every chance to sort things out. Having declared that he had now told them everything they agreed a sum (several million) to draw a line under the affair. Lester offered to write them a cheque there and then and promptly wrote it on an account he hadn't told them about - legend.

[Mince n Tatties]

Sad News especially here  in Newmarket.
When I worked in racing Lester rode a winner on the horse I looked after..In those days before pool money which they get now,the jockey used used to drop you 2 or 3 quid.
After race Lester told me he had no change money on him(he did it to a few others).
So there's no chance of getting it now after all these years.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣.
RIP the Greatest.

[gang]

There is a great Lester story about his tax affairs which I don't know to be true but really hope it is. During the investigation the Revenue really didn't want to prosecute such a much loved character and gave him every chance to sort things out. Having declared that he had now told them everything they agreed a sum (several million) to draw a line under the affair. Lester offered to write them a cheque there and then and promptly wrote it on an account he hadn't told them about - legend.

Hope it's true. Never been I interested in horse racing but I do like a rule bender.

[cmg]

Sad.
I had two real sporting heroes, Johnny Haynes departed the scene some 17 years ago. Now Lester.
Two very different personalities. How lucky I was to have witnessed both throughout their prime years.

I don't harbour the illusion that Piggott wasn't a strange, mean, unscrupulous, maybe even unpleasant, bloke, but as a flat race jockey I never saw anything like it. And don't expect ever to do so.

[Fulham 442]

Another amusing couple of anecdotes, his parsimony was legendary apparently, hence the tax evasion charges etc...

Piggott was partially deaf and had a minor speech impediment, which contributed to a reputation of being taciturn. Piggott was also known for his dry wit. For example, when asked by a reporter, after Karabas had won the 1969 Washington International, when he thought he would win, Piggott replied "about two weeks ago". Allegedly when asked by a stable employee for a £5 gratuity, Piggott motioned to the employee to speak into his "good ear", at which point the employee increased the request to £10. Piggott responded with "try the other ear again". On being asked by a young girl serving him with ice cream if he was soul singer Wilson Pickett, he said "yes".[

[Mince n Tatties]

Came out of retirement to win Breeders Cup in America at age 54 on Royal Academy.
Then told yanks afterwards....Easy over here ain't it.😅