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Epsom Names Race in Memory of Lester Piggott

Epsom Downs Racecourse has announced the introduction of the Lester Piggott Handicap S. on Derby Day, to be run in memory of the legendary jockey who died a year ago at the age of 86. Frankie Dettori will lay a wreath at Piggott's commemorative statue on Saturday.

“It is an honour to be asked to lay a wreath at Lester's statue on Derby Day,” Dettori said. “He was a hero of mine who then became a good friend and it's impossible to measure the impact he had on me, both as a person and a jockey throughout my life. I'm sure it will be a poignant and emotional moment for many reasons and I'm grateful to Epsom Downs for inviting me to lead this year's tributes to Lester on my last Derby Day as a jockey.”

Piggott rode in the Derby 36 times between 1951 and 1994 and won nine times, starting with Never Say Die in 1954 and followed by Crepello (1957), St Paddy (1960), Sir Ivor (1968), Nijinsky (1970), Roberto (1972), Empery (1976), The Minstrel (1977) and Teenoso (1983). Nicknamed 'The Long Fellow', Piggott also won the Oaks six times and the Coronation Cup on nine occasions.

“For so many of us, Lester Piggott is synonymous with the Derby and Epsom Downs like no other jockey before or since,” said Brian Finch, Chair of Epsom Downs Racecourse. “Lester sadly passed away just six days before the Derby in 2022 and we ran the Derby in his memory. For such a distinguished figure in the long history of the Derby, and with his unprecedented achievements unlikely to be matched, we felt it was important to establish a permanent annual commemoration and celebration of Lester's life on Derby Day.”

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Harrington: Horses Have Been “The Best Therapy” During Breast Cancer Battle

Jessica Harrington, who will bid to win her first Betfred Derby with Sprewell (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}), has described working with horses as “the best therapy” in her breast cancer battle.

Sprewell was an impressive winner of a Group 3 Derby trial at Leopardstown earlier this month and the 76-year-old trainer believes the colt has what it takes to provide her with a breakthrough victory in the Epsom Classic.

Speaking on a Zoom call organised by The Jockey Club, Harrington said, “I've been delighted with him. We knew he'd come on over the winter and he's run two good, solid races.

“He's come out of the Leopardstown run very well and we were delighted with him. He definitely stepped forward from there again and we're looking forward to Saturday week.”

Harrington added on the general 12-1 chance for the Derby, “I think the step up to a-mile-and-a-half will suit him–he ran through the line very strong (at Leopardstown) and he's a very strong and relaxed horse, which is the main thing.

“Nothing seems to faze him and I think going the mile-and-a-half will suit him because I think he'll settle well, which he had done in both of his races this year.”

Harrington was diagnosed with breast cancer late last year. The dual Classic-winning trainer has spoken about how working in a busy yard has been a therapy during her recuperation and described her daughters Emma [Galway] and Kate as a massive help in ensuring the smooth running of the yard during that time.

She explained, “Things are great and I'm lucky enough to have finished the worst part of it now that the chemo is done. We're moving on to the next stage now and it'll take a bit longer, but I hope that I'll be out and about again very shortly.

“The horses really have been a massive help to me and I'm really lucky to have a massive support team here.”

She added, “My daughters Kate and Emma and my son-in-law [Richie Galway] have been around all winter keeping things going and I did my best to get out every single day that I could to look at the horses, because that was the best therapy that I reckoned I had.

“I went racing last Friday to Leopardstown. I didn't actually go on Sunday, but I go when it's nice and near and when I can. I'd be most likely to watch the Derby from home, but I'll see how I get on.”

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‘I Doubt There’s One With A Better Turn Of Foot’ – Foxes Team High On Derby Chance

International bloodstock agent Alastair Donald, who purchased Thursday's G2 Dante S. winner The Foxes (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) on behalf of the King Power team, is backing the colt to get the Derby trip at Epsom.

The Foxes was cut into a general 8-1 chance for Derby glory after winning the key trial at York for trainer Andrew Balding and the in-form jockey Oisin Murphy.

He hails from a family the connections know well, given the half-brother Bangkok (Ire) (Australia {GB}) carried the blue and white silks of King Power with great distinction, and Donald had to go to 440,000gns to secure him at Book 1 at Tattersalls from his breeders Barronstown Stud.

Donald recalled, “We had a natural affiliation towards the pedigree with Bangkok being a good horse for the King Power team but, even without Bangkok being in the pedigree, the mare is faultless. To be honest, he was a better-looking horse than Bangkok was as a yearling. Bangkok is a very elegant horse but this fella is even more so.

“He had more scope than Bangkok, however, he is still quite an old-fashioned and pretty horse–he almost looks like a show horse in the ring, accentuated by the flashiness of his white socks etc. But, walking around the paddock, he's a horse who naturally catches the eye.”

Thursday proved that The Foxes, who hails from that outstanding broodmare Tanaghum (GB) (Darshaan {GB}), dam of six black-type performers including Matterhorn (Ire) (Raven's Pass), has an engine to match his looks.

His progression has delighted Donald, who put forward the colt's potent turn of foot as a key asset with a view towards winning the Derby.

He said, “From the moment he won the Royal Lodge, it was always going to be the plan for him to run in the Craven as a stepping stone towards the Dante. Now it's on to the big one, all being well.

“The fact that he switches off and relaxes so much more than Bangkok used to–he was very much a 10-furlong horse and was always on it a bit–gives him a great chance of getting the Derby trip.”

Donald added, “He relaxes a lot better than Bangkok did and, obviously, his full-sister Perotan (Ire) stayed two miles. I wouldn't go to Epsom beating the drum saying, yes, he'll definitely get the 12 furlongs, but I think there are plenty of things to suggest that he will. And, if he does, I doubt there will be a horse in the Derby with a better turn of foot than he has.”

Asked what victory at Epsom would mean to the team, Donald concluded, “King Power have put a lot of money into the game and this is what it is all about–winning big races. We've had some nice horses and winners at Royal Ascot. We've had Group 1 winners and Winter Power (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}) has been great for us, but the Derby is everyone's dream and it's very hard to get a runner in the race, let alone one with a decent chance.”

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Swordlestown Little Team Say Soft Ground Key To Arrest’s Derby Claims

Swordlestown Little's Mariann Klay, who along with her husband Des Leadon bred the impressive G3 Chester Vase winner and new Derby favourite Arrest (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), says that soft ground will be key to the Juddmonte colt's Epsom challenge.

Arrest, trained by John and Thady Gosden, shot to the head of the Derby market after sluicing up in his favoured testing ground at Chester on Wednesday.

That prompted bookmakers to propel Arrest to Derby favouritism at odds of 6-1, usurping 2,000 Guineas disappointment Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}).

Klay described breeding a Derby favourite from the brilliant bargain buy Nisriyna (Ire) (Intikhab) as a dream and said the success could provide inspiration for smaller breeders in the future.

“It's wonderful–it's what everyone dreams of and, when it comes off, it's amazing,” she said after the race on Wednesday.

“It's special because the odds are always stacked against you and so much can go wrong. It doesn't matter how well-bred they are or what trainers they are with, things can go wrong, so when it actually does happen, it really is special.”

Klay added, “Arrest loved the soft ground so, if Epsom came up soft, that would be great. I don't think he would run on anything other than soft ground but he is a very good horse, there's no doubt about it. The lovely thing is, he is a very good horse for the future, even beyond this year. He could be an exciting older horse.”

Nisriyna was snapped up for just €2,000 by Klay and Leadon at the Goffs November Sale in 2010. It has proved to be money well spent with the mare producing six individual winners, including three black-type performers who achieved ratings of 110 or more.

Indeed, the standard in which Arrest was held in by Juddmonte was evident at Goffs last November when the internationally acclaimed owner-breeders snapped up a Wootton Bassett (GB) foal out of the mare for €340,000.

Going back to the beginning of the success story, Klay said, “Des and I used to ride out at John Oxx's [where Nisriyna was trained but never raced], hence I knew Nisriyna's family, which allowed us to go for her at the sales. It was just one of those lucky days that we made a lucky call.

“It doesn't always happen but I suppose it will give hope to small breeders as we only have five mares and it shows you don't always have to spend a lot of money.”

Nisriyna is also the notable producer of Dinozzo (Ire) (Lilbourne Lad {Ire}), a winner of over €1 million in prize-money in Hong Kong, and the talented sprinter Spring Loaded (Ire) (Zebedee {GB}).

The 16-year-old darling of Swordlestown Little is reported to have a Dark Angel (Ire) colt foal at foot and, after scanning successfully in foal to Juddmonte's Kingman (GB), Klay and Leadon have ever more reason to dream.

Klay said, “She's actually in New England Stud as we speak. She has been scanned in foal to Kingman and has a nice colt by Dark Angel at foot. Obviously I can't wait to have her home! It would just be lovely if we could have a filly out of her now.”

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