If you ask anybody to name the greatest jockey ever the name at the top of many lists will be Lester Piggott. Famously the winner of the Derby on nine occasions, a record which still stands to this day. He also rode 4,493 winners and was Champion Jockey 11 times. His strength in the saddle was formidable. Lester retired from race riding in 1985 and took out a trainer's licence but in 1987 was jailed for 3 years after being found guilty of tax evasion. He served 366 days of his sentence and had his OBE revoked in 1988. He decided to make a dramatic return to the saddle at the end of 1990 at the age of 54. Just a matter of days into his return he was booked for the ride on Royal Academy in the Breeders' Cup Mile for the legendary trainer Vincent O'Brien.
Victory seemed improbable given that Lester had not ridden for so long. But nobody could ever doubt his ability or appetite for a battle. His will to win was second to none, and this proved the decisive factor. Lester and Royal Academy broke slowly and settled in last place before moving up to settle with just two behind in the early stages. All the way down the back stretch Lester crept into the race so that he was in 6th entering the home turn. Down the stretch he pulled the bay colt to the centre of the track and came with a flying run to get up on the line. It was a fine performance from the horse but it was an astounding ride, exhibiting timing, judgement, strength and that infamous will to win, all in spite his long absence from the saddle. It marked a truly remarkable comeback from one of the very finest jockeys to have graced this world.
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