Lester Piggott Wins 4,493 Races in Illustrious Career
Lester Piggott, a nine-time Derby winner, won 4,493 races in his 42-year career, including 30 British classics.
He was known for his distinctive style of riding with his bottom in the air.
Lester Piggott's ability to win horse races on the Flat earned him the reputation as the greatest jockey of all time.
He rode the legendary Nijinsky to a Triple Crown in 1970, winning the 2,000 Guineas, Derby, and St Leger.
Lester Piggott's dedication to winning led him to constantly starve himself to ride at 30 pounds less than his natural weight.
He was 5'8" tall, relatively tall for a Flat Jockey, which earned him the nickname The Long Fellow.
His breakfast often consisted of a cigar and a cough, showcasing his extreme diet.
Lester Piggott was sentenced to three years in prison in 1987 for failing to declare income of £3.25 million, serving a year.
He was stripped of his OBE and turned from National Treasure to villain overnight.
Despite this, he made one of sport's greatest comebacks, winning the prestigious US Breeders' Cup Mile at 54.
Lester Piggott's personal life was also marred by controversy, including a colourful private life and a divorce from his wife of 52 years in 2012.
He was born partially deaf, which gave him a speech impediment and made him keep his public utterances to a minimum.
Lester Piggott's legacy extends beyond his racing career, as he helped spread the appeal of horse racing beyond its narrow, class-based origins.
He was labelled The Housewives' Choice due to his legions of followers, many of whom were women who would lay a casual bet without great knowledge of racing.
Lester Piggott won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on Rheingold and Alleged, twice, showcasing his skill and talent.
His dry wit and sense of humour were well-known to those who knew him, despite his public image as a dour, monosyllabic introvert.
Lester Piggott's impact on horse racing will be remembered for generations to come, as one of the greatest jockeys of all time.