Piggott reluctant to let go of the reins
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Some things on Newmarket's timeless Heath never change, writes Sue Montgomery. Derby fancies may come and go, but yesterday morning the man who is the enduring modern symbol of the world's most famous race, Lester Piggott, was out at dawn doing what he does best. Piggott, aged 60, may have retired from competitive race-riding, but horses are in his blood, and the old maestro is now happy to turn the clock back nearly half a century to when he was an anonymous schoolboy riding exercise.
Yesterday morning Piggott (pictured above, on the far side) was on board Prince Of Andros, trained at Sefton Lodge by David Loder. Piggott, though still lean and spare, is more relaxed than he has ever been, and is content to pass on his unsurpassed knowledge to one of the emerging talents of the racing industry. Loder, aged 32, was born a decade after Piggott first rode to fame with his first Classic victory on Never Say Die in the 1954 Derby.
Piggott last rode competitively in Britain in 1994 and his wife, Susan, has now given up training. However, Piggott still lives in Newmarket and this spring he has been seen regularly on the Heath riding out for Loder.
This is always an important time of the year for the leading trainers on the Flat. The season's first four Classics all take place within the next two months and nearly all the leading contenders will be showing their paces in the coming weeks. Many will be on public view for the first time this season at Newmarket's Craven meeting next week, as will the country's leading jockeys. The most famous of them all, however, will not be seen.
Photograph: Robert Hallam; Racing, page 25
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments