TRIBUTES have been paid to jockey Lester Piggott, who has passed away at the age of 86.
Piggott, an 11-time Champion Jockey, recorded 4,493 victories in his career, including winning the Epsom Derby a record nine times.
His son-in-law William Haggas told the PA news agency that Piggott had passed away peacefully this morning in Switzerland, where he was living.
'Privilege to know him'
Paying tribute to Piggott, Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien told Racing TV that his knowledge of the sport was incomparable.
"His knowledge was second to none," O'Brien told the broadcaster.
"He didn't say a lot but every word he said you really hung on to.
"He was a very special man. Every word he said, you really hung on to."
Aidan O'Brien pays homage to the legendary Lester Piggott. pic.twitter.com/JgNTN2HOUX
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 29, 2022
"It always meant so much and you knew there was so much experience in there, so much knowledge, so much natural ability to assess a horse.
"We're just so sorry for everybody that he has passed, but what a special man.
"For us, it was an absolute privilege that we did know him and got to know him over the years."
'Gentleman'
Piggott won 16 Irish Classics, including five Irish Derbys between 1965 and 1981.
Irish trainer and former jockey Jonjo O'Neill said Piggott was 'a true gentleman'.
"I'm very saddened to hear of passing of Lester Piggott," he posted on Twitter.
I’m very saddened to hear of passing of Lester Piggott.
He was a legend of the sport and true gentleman, who I was lucky enough to ride with on the flat a few times.
All my thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time. pic.twitter.com/RPlrGt2Fo9
— Jonjo O'Neill (@JonjoONeill) May 29, 2022
"He was a legend of the sport and true gentleman, who I was lucky enough to ride with on the flat a few times.
"All my thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time."
Meanwhile, the Irish Jockeys Association said Piggott set a great example for other jockeys.
"The accolade of 'legend' is so often undeserved but not for this man," they tweeted.
"He was the guiding light for so many jockeys over the years and long after his retirement."
Success
Piggott won his first race at the age of 12 and secured the first of his nine Derby wins in 1954 on Never Say Die at the age of 18.
He enjoyed success with renowned Irish trainer Vincent O'Brien, famously winning the English Triple Crown in 1970 on the O'Brien-trained Nijninsky.
It was the first time it had been won in 35 years and hasn't been achieved since.
Later that decade, he twice won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on O'Brien's Alleged in 1977 and 1978.
Such sad news to hear of Lester Piggott’s passing our thoughts are with his Family RIP #TheGreatest https://t.co/kYR0bXLHpQ
— Barry Geraghty (@BarryJGeraghty) May 29, 2022
Piggott retired in 1985 but returned to the sport in 1990, winning the Breeders Cup just 10 days later.
He retired for good in 1995 at the age of 59.
He is survived by his partner Barbara FitzGerald, wife Susan, daughters Maureen and Tracy and son Jamie.
