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Hi All
I was discussing this partnership with friends over a few drinks last night.
I cannot remember for the life of me why the partnership ended.
One of my friends is adamant that Piggott left as he wanted to turn freelance, whereas another is equally adamant that O’Brien sacked him for hitting a horse called Monteverdi with his whip across the face.
Can anyone provide the answer please ?Dick Francis’s excellent biography suggests there was no one incident but a gradual parting of the ways precipitated by a number of factors.
Lester was reticent to ride the no-hopers his agreement had committed him to, the regular journeys to Ireland were difficult, he’d started to ride more and more for Henry Cecil and communication (often via phone) had become problematic.
Between the lines it seemed that Piggott was ill suited to be tied down to a retainer and the lure of other, better horses, in big races was gnawing away at him.‘He had to be a freelance, it suited his nature’ – O’Brien as quoted in the book.
That would make sense.
Lester was one of the few jockeys that could pick the right horse time after time. Often these were running for other stables but once Lester offered his services, a winning horse with a winning jockey, it was an offer not turned down too often. Resentment followed from those that lost out.Dick Francis’s excellent biography suggests there was no one incident but a gradual parting of the ways precipitated by a number of factors.
Lester was reticent to ride the no-hopers his agreement had committed him to, the regular journeys to Ireland were difficult, he’d started to ride more and more for Henry Cecil and communication (often via phone) had become problematic.
Between the lines it seemed that Piggott was ill suited to be tied down to a retainer and the lure of other, better horses, in big races was gnawing away at him.‘He had to be a freelance, it suited his nature’ – O’Brien as quoted in the book.
Yet funnily enough, Cormack, Henry always praised Lester for his willingness to go to a low grade meeting to ride no hopers when he was Warren Place’s stable jockey.
I remember Vincent O’Brien being asked about this after they’d parted and although quite guarded, he did say that Piggott was his own man, adding that sometimes Lester would turn up at Ballydoyle to ride a piece of work aboard one of Vincent’s horses, whereupon he’d totally disregard all instructions O’Brien gave him. I think it got to the point where he completely barred Lester from riding out.
I think Pat Eddery was a more disciplined jockey, which probably suited Vincent O’Brien at that particular time, though of course, the great partnership was rekindled later on with Royal Academy.
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
I remember reading in "Classic Treble" that Mr Sangster was not amused hearing Piggott say "completely useless" after he dismounted Storm Bird – a horse Mr Sangster intended to syndicate for a very high price.
I’ve long wondered what Piggott thought of O’Brien insistence that Liam Ward would ride all his horses in Ireland.
Nijinsky’s win in the Irish Derby under Ward must have galled a bit, though Lester being Lester I doubt it took much gloss off the pleasure he surely felt when beating the Ward-ridden Sir Ivor on Ribero in the same race a couple of years earlier
Anyone recall how long the Piggott-or-Ward arrangement lasted?
I think Ward had retired by the mid-70s at the latest, so it probably didn’t continue for long post-Nijinsky
I remember reading in "Classic Treble" that Mr Sangster was not amused hearing Piggott say "completely useless" after he dismounted Storm Bird – a horse Mr Sangster intended to syndicate for a very high price.
This was Monteverdi……….Storm Bird was in the Eddery/Obrien era.
Piggott, in his authorised biography, described the fallout over Monteverdi’s defeat (when he frustratedly called the horse useless in front of waiting reporters) in the Irish Guineas as ‘the beginning of the end’ of his association with O’Brien.
I recall that Clive Brittain explained it best when he said that Lester felt that destiny demanded that the best jockey ride the best horses and he felt that since he was the best jockey his right was manifest.He also felt that owners would agree with him and always suggested that trainers contact the owners to confirm this belief.
I’ve long wondered what Piggott thought of O’Brien insistence that Liam Ward would ride all his horses in Ireland.
Nijinsky’s win in the Irish Derby under Ward must have galled a bit, though Lester being Lester I doubt it took much gloss off the pleasure he surely felt when beating the Ward-ridden Sir Ivor on Ribero in the same race a couple of years earlier
Anyone recall how long the Piggott-or-Ward arrangement lasted?
I think Ward had retired by the mid-70s at the latest, so it probably didn’t continue for long post-Nijinsky
I don’t know the dates exactly but, as you say, Ward retired around about the mid seventies. Piggott joined up with Henry Cecil after O’Brien – he in turn replacing Joe Mercer.
Liam Ward won the Irish flat jockeys championship six times. I think only Mick Kinane has won more, although I may be wrong.
Ward is adamant that Nijinsky was a better horse than Sir Ivor. He said that Vincent O’Brien would test Nijinsky against his top sprinters, and he would leave them all in his wake.Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
Was that when Cecil got Lester in trouble with the Stewards of the Jockey Club by putting in writing to his owners that Lester asked for more money to ride their horses?
The letter from Cecil to his owners was the start of Lesters troubles with the Inland Revenue.
I have heard Henry Cecil called many things but certainly never dumb. Probably imo one of the greatest trainers ever (and probably the nicest to boot !)
dear coggy,henry may be a nice guy. The question was about getting lester warned off.If he did it intentionally ,not very nice guy;if he did it by accident, nice guy very dumb guy.
Ward is adamant that Nijinsky was a better horse than Sir Ivor. He said that Vincent O’Brien would test Nijinsky against his top sprinters, and he would leave them all in his wake.
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