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This is my list in order of merit of my selection of best riding performances ever in history of flat racing
1. Lester Piggot on Alleged in the 1978 Prix De l’Arc De Triomphe
Piggot effortlessly let his colt make the running to an all the way victory. Hard to conceive a jockey having such a perfect understanding of his colt, in such testing race. With great mastery even in front Piggot preserved the energy of his ward until letting it go in the final furlong. Lester revealed riding prowess reaching regions of divinty.
2. Lester Piggot on Ribero in the 1968 St Leger
Arguably the best ever display on in a finish.Ribero prevailed over Canterbury by a head.Ribero was not a true stayer and the ground against him, which made this win all the more remarkable.
3. Braulio Baeza on Roberto on the 1972 Benson and Hedges gold cup
The best race riding ever making the running in race in Britain with Braulio setting such a scorching pace that even the greatest British racehorse ever, Brigadier Gerard was run of it’s legs. Tactical genius in assessing adversaries.
4.Lester Piggot on Roberto in the 1972 Epsom Derby
Lester revealed the touch of a magician and determination of a soldier in enabling Roberto to beat Rheingold.I doubt any other jockey would have won that day.
5. Willie Carson on Ehraab in the 1994 Epsom Derby
Carson brought Ehraab to the front in the manner of a character in an epic novel making a 360 degree turn to a plot. I have rarely ever seen such mastery in turning the fortunes of a race like a divine intervention.
6. Frankie Dettori on Fantastic Light in 2001 champion stakes
Revealing touch of genius Dettori enabled Fantastic Light to prevail over the great Galileo.Frankie superbly judged the movement of Galileo taking his colt out to the front 2 furlongs out. I doubt any jockey could have won that day.
7.Jimmy Lindley on Agressor in 1961 King George 6th Diamond Stakes
Equivalent of David conquering Goliath.Lindley’s brilliant race riding enabled Agressor to prevail over Petit Etoile .Race riding judgement and skill in regions of the sublime.
8.Lester Piggot on the Minstrel in 1977 Epsom Derby
Piggot at his best when Hot Grove literally had the race sealed a furlong out.Piggot superbly summoned the Minstrel who looked as if a new spirit was infused into him 100 yards out. Rarely have I witnessed a jockey pumping the adrelanin as effectively as Lester here.
9.Michael Roberts on Mtoto in 1987 Eclipse Stakes
Displaying great wizardry Roberts enabled Mtoto to conquer the great son of Mill Reef. One of the finest riding finishes ever in defeating a great champion.
10. Willie Carson on Petoski in the 1985 King George
Carson’s sheer power and grit enabled Petoski to overpower the talented triple crown winning filly Oh So Sharp. Great turn in gear at the end by Willie.
11.Pat Eddery on Detroit in 1980 Arc
Ela Mana Mou looked like having the race sewn up before Eddery untapped the vast reservoirs of energy of his ward in the last 100 yards. A brilliant exhibition of judgement of pace and flawless timing. Reminiscent of an army batallion coming out of an ambush and triumph like a phoenix from the Ashes.
12.Walter Swinburn on All Along in 1983 Arc
Swinburn’s tactical genius won the day with a brilliant run on the inside in the closing stages of one of the most fiercely contested races with several horses packed together. One of the finest exhibitions of timing to cut through a pack, making the move just when neccesary.
13.Willie Carson on Known Fact in 1980 Queen Elizabeth 11 stakes
Carson was the ultimate epitome of will power or determination in overpowering the seemingly invincible Kris.
14.Greville Stakey on Fair Salina in 1978 Epsom Oaks
One of the finest exhibitions of sheer timing ever seen at Epsom when it looked a formality for Dancing Maid with Freddie Head astride a furlong out.Greville was able to extract every possible ounce from his colt unleashing the power of a motorboat with the finesse of a sculptor.
15.Pat Eddery on Grundy in the 1975 King George
Took every ounce of energy of his ward at the finishing line after waging a battle of attrition for supremacy with Bustino and Joe Mercer in the straight.Finishing power of a jockey at a crescendo with great sense of judgement.
I’d have to go for Greville Starkey on Star Appeal in the 1975 Arc. Still no idea how he got through that gap. 118-1. Helped that I had a shilling each way.
Lester’s ride on Royal Academy in the Breeders Cup Mile in 1990 has to be worth a shout. He had only returned to riding less than a fortnight before after a gap of five years, one of which was spent inside. Yet he was still strong and tactically astute enough to win a Group 1, aged 54.
Lester on Commanche Run in the 1985 Benson & Hedges Gold Cup. The only time I ever saw someone outride Steve Cauthen, which says it all.
Harshthakor , you’ve mixed up Hot Grove with Orange Bay in 1977 (above)
The Minstrel beat Hot Grove in the Derby not the KG.Lester was indeed brilliant both times on Alleged in the Arc but I still wince every time I see how he rode Alleged in the ‘77 St Leger ….terribly crude ride in going to the front way too early and getting beat by the inferior Dunfermline ….the great Lester’s worst high profile ride.
@wordfromthewise Thanks a lot for pointing this out.Accidentally I printed King George instead of Derby and have made the corrrection.I feel Lester’s ride in the 1977 Derby was some way ahead of that in the King George.
What do you feel about my selections and ranking?any additions criticisms?
I agree Lester astride Royal Academy in 1995 was riding skill at its ultimate height.However it was in America so I evaded it.Any view on my choices and rankings?
@Tonge Was not Greville equally brilliant on Fair Salina bad Shirley Heights in 1978 as on Star Appeal in 1975?
@wordfromthewise Was Lester’s 1977 Arc win as good apiece of riding ?Any important additions?Liked my choice and rankings overall?
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