Lester Piggott, the outstanding jockey of the post-war era, dies aged 86

Lester Piggott, the outstanding jockey of the post-war era and a figure who transcended the sport of racing when the popularity of the Derby was at its height, has died aged 86.

Piggot’s son-in-law, Derby-winning trainer William Haggas, said: “Sadly we can confirm that Lester died peacefully in Switzerland this morning. I really don’t wish to add much more than that at this stage, although [my wife] Maureen will be making a statement later.”

Piggott earned the nickname “The Long Fellow” because of his relative tallness among jockeys at 5ft 8in but became popularly known as “the housewives favourite” during a period when he won nine Derbys and the Epsom Classic was the most famous race in the world. Piggott’s influence on racing was such that he spawned a new “shorter” race-riding style with pulled-up stirrup leathers which changed the art of jockeyship.

His father Keith, a former champion jumps jockey turned trainer, provided his son with his first public ride in 1948 at the age of 12. The boy, whose shy exterior resulting from partial deafness and a speech impediment masked a ruthless streak and a fiercely competitive will to win, was successful on The Chase at Haydock, laying the foundations for a glittering career in the saddle.

Piggott won his first Derby at 18 on Never Say Die and was champion jockey 11 times between 1960 and 1982. Despite his height there was no more natural rider in the saddle during a golden age for the sport which included rivals Pat Eddery and Willie Carson.

Controversy never strayed far from Piggott during and after his career on the Turf and he was banned from the track “until further notice” for what the stewards labelled his “dangerous riding” on Never Say Die at Royal Ascot, a few weeks