Lester Piggott was a legendary English jockey and trainer. Piggott was a pioneering figure in horse racing and is widely regarded as one of the greatest jockeys of all time due to his numerous victories in major races and longevity in the sport. This article will teach you more about Lester Piggott, his early life, career, height, weight, and most importantly, Lester Piggott’s Net Worth.
Background information
Birth name | Lester Keith Piggott |
Nationality | British |
Birthplace | England |
Birth date | 5 November 1935 |
Death | 29 May 2022 |
Gender | male |
height | 1.73 m |
weight | 117 lb |
Age | 86 |
Net worth | $15 Million |
Occupation | Horse Jockey |
Marital Status | Yes ( Separated ) |
Children | yes |
Birth Sign | Scorpio |
Who is Lester Piggott?
Lester Piggott is a retired English professional horse racing jockey. He was born in Wantage, Berkshire, England in 1935 and is considered one of the greatest jockeys of all time. Piggott had a long and successful career, winning numerous prestigious races, including the Epsom Derby nine times.
He was also British jump racing champion jockey 11 times. After retiring from racing in 1985, Piggott faced legal issues but made a successful return to horse racing in 1990.
He retired again in 1995 and was inducted into the Racing Post’s Hall of Fame in 2016. Lester Piggott was known as “The Long Fellow” because of his height, which was tall for a flat jockey.
Lester Piggott Early Life
Lester Piggott is a retired English professional horse racing jockey. He had a successful career as a jockey, winning many prestigious races, such as the Epsom Derby nine times and the 2,000 Guineas six times.
In addition to winning the Epsom Derby nine times, Piggott had a very successful career. After retiring from racing in 1985, Piggott faced legal issues but made a successful return to horse racing in 1990. He retired again in 1995 and was inducted into the Racing Post’s Hall of Fame in 2016.
Lester Piggott’s father, Keith Piggott, was a successful jockey and trainer in National Hunt racing. He won the Champion Hurdle as a jockey in 1939 and the Grand National as a trainer in 1963. He was also the British jump racing Champion Trainer of 1962-63. Keith owned the training stable at South Bank in Lambourn, where Lester lived until 1954.
Lester was also related to other successful jockeys, Bill and Fred Rickaby, who were cousins through Lester’s mother. Fred Rickaby was the British flat racing champion apprentice in 1931 and 1932.
Lester Piggott Wife
Lester Piggott married Susan Armstrong in 1960 and had two children, Maureen and Tracy. He also had a son, Jamie, from a previous relationship with Anna Ludlow. Piggott and Armstrong got separated in 1960.
Career and achievements
Lester Piggott was a famous jockey from England who began racing horses at ten. He won his first race in 1948, at age twelve. He went on to have a successful racing career and was known for his quiet demeanour and for being a favourite among fans, especially women. He was the jockey for famous trainers Noel Murless and Vincent O’Brien and won The Derby nine times on horses such as Never Say Die, Crepello, Nijinsky, and The Minstrel.
Piggott was innovative and developed a new style of race-riding that was adopted by other jockeys and helped him become Champion Jockey 11 times. He also rode in hurdle races early in his career.
Lester Piggott became a stable jockey to Henry Cecil in 1980 and won two championships. In 1983, he disputed with owner Daniel Wildenstein over which horse to ride in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. It resulted in him not riding All Along, which went on to win the race and multiple international races, earning Horse of the Year honours. The disagreement also strained his relationship with Henry Cecil, and he left Warren Place in 1984 to be replaced by Steve Cauthen.
Lester Piggott rode as a freelance jockey in 1985. He had significant wins, including the Prix de Diane on Lypharita, the 2000 Guineas Stakes on Shadeed, and the Benson and Hedges Gold Cup and Irish Champion Stakes on Commanche Run. He had 4,493 wins on the Flat in Britain and about 5,300 worldwide and is considered one of the greatest flat racing jockeys of all time with a record nine Epsom Derby victories and 30 Classic wins in Britain on 25 different horses. Piggott considered Sir Ivor as the easiest horse to ride among his great winners.
Lester Piggott death
Lester Piggott was a former British horse racing jockey considered one of the greatest jockeys of all time. . He was a prominent jockey and trainer. He had a successful career in horse racing, winning numerous significant races and earning recognition as one of the greatest jockeys of all time. He was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame. He passed away in 2022 at the age of 86.
Lester Piggott Net worth
According to estimates from 2023, Lester Piggott’s net worth is $15 million. There is no doubt that Lester is one of the wealthiest and most famous horse jockeys in the world. He had several advantages over his predecessors that helped establish him as a dominant force in the sport.
Firstly, he took advantage of the growth of international racing, which expanded the opportunities for jockeys to compete and earn money. Secondly, Piggott was among the first jockeys to be offered stallion nominations, and lucrative offers to breed their own horses.
This new source of income provided financial stability for Piggott and allowed him to focus more on his riding career. These advantages, combined with his exceptional talent and competitive drive, helped establish Piggott as one of the greatest jockeys in history.
Unknown facts about Lester Piggott
- He began his racing career at the age of 14, riding his first winner at Haydock Park in 1950.
- Piggott was known for his exceptional horsemanship and ability to read a race, which helped him to win many races that were considered long shots.
- He was the youngest ever jockey to win the English Triple Crown (2,000 Guineas, Epsom Derby, and St. Leger Stakes), a feat he accomplished at the age of 18 in 1953.
- Piggott retired from riding in 1985 but returned to racing in 1990 and continued to ride until his retirement in 1995.
- He was imprisoned for tax evasion in 1987 but was released after serving one year of a three-year sentence.
- Piggott was awarded the OBE (Order of the British Empire) for his services to horse racing in the Queen’s Birthday Honors List in 2000.
- He continued to be involved in horse racing as a trainer after retiring from riding and had many successful horses throughout his career.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Lester Piggott is a legendary British horse racing jockey active from the 1950s to the 1990s. During his career, he won an impressive 4,493 races, making him one of the most successful jockeys in history. An induction into the Racing Hall of Fame was made in his honour. Lester Piggott’s Net worth is estimated to be around $15 million as of 2023. Piggott was known for his quiet demeanor and exceptional skill as a jockey, earning him the nickname “The Long Fellow” due to his tall stature.
Frequently asked questions
1. What is the Lester Piggott Net worth?
Ans. Lester Piggott Net Worth is approx $15 million according to Recent Report of the year 2023.
2. What was the reason for Lester Piggott not being knighted?
Ans. After serving a three-year prison sentence in 1987 for income tax evasion, Piggott was withdrawn from the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1975.
3. How long ago did Lester Piggott die?
Ans. 29 May, 2022 in Switzerland
4. When did Lester Piggott win his first race?
In August 1948, Piggott won his first race at Haydock Park, the Wigan Lane Selling Handicap.