Lester Piggott

Lester Piggott's name meant horse racing to a generation before Frankie Dettori. His family tree showed breeding that made him a Derby winner just as much as any of the horses that he rode. The fact that he rode so many Derby winners was partly due to him making sure he was on the best horse, the trial races being used as much for him to choose his ride than for the horses to prepare for it. Then, invariably, there he was, poised on the outside, tracking the pace coming round Tattenham Corner, ready to go when the right moment came.

Never far from controversy, whether for stealing another jockey's whip or taking Ken Dodd's approach to tax, he came out of prison and went to the Breeder's Cup at the age of 54 to come from last to first to win on Royal Academy. His sardonic wit was never better illustrated than, when asked about his riding in that race, he said, 'same as usual, one leg either side'.

In contrast, his first retirement had been staged on a very ordinary day at Nottingham where he rode two losers and no doubt went home considerably richer for it. But he was always a significant booking. Not necessarily on short-priced favourites which did sometimes seem to get beate, but in smaller races where the trainer was making sure, and so was Lester.

When asked by a stable lad about the share of a prize he owed him, he said he was hard of hearing on that side, try the other ear, so the lad went round the other side and asked for twice the amount to which Lester replied, try the first ear again. 

A law unto himself, the 'long fellow' was strictly too tall to be a flat jockey and for breakfast he would have a cigar and a look at The Sporting Life. He knew what he was doing.