Lester Piggott: Legendary horse racing jockey who won the St Leger of Doncaster eight times dies aged 86 UK News

His incredible career spanned almost 50 years and he rode 4,493 winners – which is the third highest tally in British racing history behind only Sir Gordon Richards and Pat Eddery.

Piggott rode eight winners at St Leger at Doncaster Racecourse, which is the oldest of the five British Classics.

Its winners were:- St Paddy (1960), Aurelius (1961), Ribocco (1967), Ribero (1968), Nijinsky (1970), Athens Wood (1971), Boucher (1972) and Commanche Run (1984).

He was also crowned champion jockey 11 times and his name has become synonymous with the Derby, which he has won a record nine times, tallying a run of 30 classic victories.

Piggott rode his first winner as a jockey in 1948, aged just 12, on a horse called The Chase at Haydock Park.

His son-in-law and Derby-winning trainer William Haggas confirmed the news of his death and said: “Sadly we can confirm that Lester died peacefully in Switzerland this morning.”

Piggott had been hospitalized in Switzerland, where he lived, last week.

Tributes from personalities in the horse racing world began to pour in.

Doncaster Racecourse tweeted: “An extremely sad day for racing, rest in peace Lester Piggott, a giant of our sport.”

Presenter Rishi Persad, who hosts Channel 4’s horse racing coverage, said: “Lester Piggott. The best jockey and one of the most iconic sports stars to ever live. TO TEAR APART.”