Which was Lester's best riding performance ever?
- #1Sir Ivor in 1968 Derby
- #2The Minstrel in 1977 Derby
- Ribero in 1968 St.Leger
- Alleged in 1978 Arc
- Roberto in 1972 Derby
- Royal Academy in 1990 Breeders cup mile
- Rheingold in 1973 Arc
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Today we commemorate the 50th anniversary of Lester Piggot winning the Epsom Derby on Roberto.In one of the most powerpacked finishes Roberto prevailed over his rival.Along a furlong out Rheingold was on the threshold of famous Derby win before Lester’s magical touch instilled a mythical energy into Roberto ,on the rails.I doubt any performance in the Derby has surpassed that effort of Lester,or any other jockey could have won on Roberto.I rate it as Lester’s best riding performance ever.
Other great rides of Lester.
1.Ribero in 1968 St.Leger.
On ground almost unsuited for racing Lester carried Ribero to stave of a challenge from Canterbury.Rarely has better control been displayed by a jockey on such heavy going.
2.The Minstrel in 1977 Epsom Derby
In pursuit of Hot Grove who looked to be cruising home ,Lester extracted every possible ounce of energy from the Minstrel ,to deliver final knockout punch,to prevail by a neck.Only in the last 50 yards did his mount look like propelling.
3.Alleged in 1978 Arc
Lester showed his mastery when almost making all the running in a most competitive field.He literally displayed the control of arcing driver,with perfect judgement o pace.
4.Rheingold in 1973 Arc
With meticulous skill Lester steered Rheingold setting a cracking pace ,but conserving his mount’s energy to perforation to accelerate.
5.Sir Ivor in 1968 Epsom Derby
After Sir Ivor literally looked dead and buried 2 furlongs out,Lester’s magic touch propelled his mount with the effect of a dynamite exploding in no mans land.I doubt any other jockey could have untapped Sir Ivor’s reserves of enemy to ressurect the colt from the jaws of defeat.
6.Royal Academy in 1990 Breeders cup Mile
Lester executed one of the most well -timed finishes ever on an American race track, reminiscent of an army battalion coming out of an ambush.With the skill of asurgeon he pentrtaed through a big field .One of the finset riding performancse ever by an overseas jockey.
My order of merit of Lester’s best rides.
1.Roberto in 1972 Derby
2.The Minstrel in 1977 Derby
3.Ribero in 1968 St Leger
3.Royal Academy in Breeders Cup
4.Sir Ivor in 1968 Derby
6.Alleged in 1978 Arc
7.Rheingold in 1973 Arc
In the list you have Ribero in the 1977 St Leger instead of 1968.
Out of that list, my order would be:
1. Ribero – 1968 St Leger
2. Sir Ivor – 1968 Derby
3. The Minstrel – 1977 Derby
4. Roberto – 1972 Derby
5. Alleged – 1978 Arc
6. Royal Academy – 1990 Breeders Cup
7. Rheingold – 1973 ArcI would have had his ride on Teenoso in the 1984 King George on the short list as well, a horse well known for his love of soft ground winning on firm ground in which for the first half mile he went so fast he outpaced Sun Princess’s own pacemaker before retaking the lead 4F out and galloping a class field (including Sun Princess, Time Charter, Sadler’s Wells, Darshaan & Tolemeo) into the ground in the process clocking the second fastest time in the race’s history.
I was there at Ascot and it was the best ride I ever saw him give a horse in the flesh.
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"Roberto cost me a few ££s in the 1972 Derby when chinning Rheingold. The annoying aspect of that race for me was that Piggott would have won on either of them.
I can’t help but think that it was Braulio Baeza who got the best tune out of Roberto when winning the inaugural Benson & Hedges Gold Cup from Brigadier Gerard in record time. The Brigadier also beat the previous course record despite finishing 3 lengths adrift. It was officially 10 lengths back to the third horse but it looked a lot more than that. Baeza flew in specifically for the one ride, his first in the UK. He went home straight afterwards and, as far as I’m aware, he never returned here.
I wouldn’t violently disagree with anyone who suggested that both horses ran their best ever races at York that year. Roberto certainly did, while Brigadier Gerard less assuredly may have done.
When you look at where the others finished, it’s hard to conclude Brigadier Gerard ran below form.
Roberto was, in all other respects, a very average Derby winner.
But that day at York he was great – he never ran anywhere near that level before or afterwards.
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"Joe Mercer always maintained The Brigadier was a sick horse at York and I believe he said he had mucus running from his nose later in the stable area but that could well have been him trying to come up with a reason for his shock defeat and I doubt a sick horse could have broken a track record in finishing 2nd to Roberto.
Roberto was very good in the Coronation Cup as well – his opposition was probably average but he certainly did it a lot easier than he did in his Derby effort.
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