Obituary | To ride, to win

Lester Piggott had only one aim in view

The best flat-racing jockey of the 20th century died on May 29th, aged 86

English jockey Lester Piggott at a race meeting at Lingfield Park Racecourse, Surrey, 11th October 1963. (Photo by Terry Fincher/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

The cheekiest thing Lester Piggott ever did in racing happened during the Grand Prix de Deauville in 1979. A bit over a furlong from the finish he dropped his whip, so he did what he had to, and stole another. His right hand went out, as he drew alongside at full gallop, towards the left hand of Michel Lequeux, and plucked his whip away. Thus armed, he whipped a path to the finish line.

This article appeared in the Obituary section of the print edition under the headline “To ride, to win”

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