70 Y E A R S O F
Lester Ask the man in the street to name a jockey, there is a fair chance their response will be “Frankie”. But for those of a certain age it will always be “Lester”. Remarkably, this year sees the 70th anniversary of Lester Piggott’s first Derby ride in 1951. That year was the first time since before World War II that The Derby was run on its then-traditional Wednesday slot, with the ongoing Festival of Britain leading to a new mood of national optimism.
However, it was certainly an inauspicious start for the 15-year-old Piggott, as his 1951 mount Zucchero was left at the start - this was in the time of the old starting gate, as starting stalls were not utilised in The Derby until 1967. A talented if undoubtedly quirky performer,
