#Palacegate Jack

Lester Piggott, a jockey whose career haul included nine Derby victories, has died at the age of 86. Unquestionably one of the greatest jockeys of all time, Piggott rode his first winner, The Chase, at Haydock in 1948 when just 12 years of age and his last win came with Palacegate Jack at the same Merseyside track in 1994, a few weeks short of his…

Racing's most eloquent ambassadors are frequently the jockeys and it is they who take centre stage at Ascot in the Dubai Duty Free-sponsored Shergar Cup, an annual team competition in which the stardust is sprinkled on the riding talent rather than necessarily on the handicappers that they must pilot. In particular, the Rest of the World line-up…

Legendary jockey Lester Piggott, perhaps the greatest rider there has been, has died at the age of 86. He died peacefully in the early hours of Sunday morning in Switzerland, having been in hospital several days. His death comes six days before the Derby at Epsom, a race he will always be synonymous with. He won the greatest Flat race in the world…

Lester Piggott was without doubt the finest jockey of his generation, and probably of any that has gone before or since. Tall for a jockey at over 5ft 7ins, "The Long Fellow", as he became affectionately tagged, partnered more than 5000 winners worldwide. His career in the saddle will never be matched, and if there were occasional lows - none more…