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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Mural Honouring Dettori Unveiled at Epsom

A giant mural celebrating champion jockey Frankie Dettori's remarkable 40-year career was unveiled by Epsom Downs Racecourse on Tuesday. The 52ft by 23ft art installation is located on the side of the Duchess Stand and depicts him in the colours of his 2015 G1 Derby winner Golden Horn (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}).

“It was a big surprise,” Dettori said. “I was quite embarrassed when I first saw it, actually. I love it. It is amazing, I'm gobsmacked, really. It's the young me and the older me. It was my biggest thrill in my racing career, the Derby in 2015 on Golden Horn. I'm glad it is there forever now. It looks great.”

Dettori has enjoyed some of his most memorable moments at Epsom Downs over the years, earning two Derby victories with Authorized (Ire) in 2007 and Golden Horn in 2015. The 52-year-old announced at the end of last year that 2023 would be his last season in the saddle.

“I have mixed feelings,” Dettori said. “It's the end of an era, and it's nice to be recognised with something as big as this. Epsom is a special place for me. I've had some great memories, lots of nice winners–two Derby wins, five Coronations, five Oaks. It's been a good stamping ground for me. [Winning another Derby} would be amazing. I haven't got a ride yet, but it will be amazing.”

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O’Brien Could Turn to Tuesday in Bid to Win 15th Irish Derby

It hasn't been done in over 25 years, but Cazoo Oaks heroine Tuesday (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) could bid to become the first filly since Balanchine (Storm Bird {Can}) in 1994 to win the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby on Saturday, her trainer Aidan O'Brien has revealed.

Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), who many believed was the ace in O'Brien's three-year-old pack, was sidelined shortly after finishing third in the 2000 Guineas and, after drawing a blank in the Derby, the master of Ballydoyle admitted that he may yet turn to the brilliant Oaks winner Tuesday in his bid to win the Irish Derby for a whopping 15th time.

A decision will be made for definite on Tuesday, according to O'Brien, who said, “It's possible we could supplement Tuesday and we'll decide in the morning.”

Last week's G2 King Edward VII S. winner Changingoftheguard (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) performed best of the O'Brien-trained colts in the Derby but never landed a blow on the winner Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) back in fifth. 

Stablemate Stone Age (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), sent off 7-2 and ridden by Ryan Moore at Epsom, could only manage sixth, yet the market suggests he is the number one Irish Derby hope for Ballydoyle at odds of 9-2. 

The Ralph Beckett-trained Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}), an unlucky third in the Derby, is a 5-4 favourite to gain compensation in Saturday's Curragh showpiece.

O'Brien enjoyed another successful Royal Ascot last week, once again being crowned leading trainer at the meeting over the five days, which saw him land his 900th Group or Graded race. He also moved within one of Sir Michael Stoute as the leading trainer at the fixture with his 81st winner.

Tuesday's Oaks form also took a boost on Sunday when Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}), third at Epsom, stormed to French Oaks glory at Chantilly.

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TDN Snippets: Week of May 30-June 5

It was a pretty quiet racing week here, so this installment of snippets is a little European-centric. We hope you find it interesting.

The Mind Boggles…

Tuesday's win in the G1 Cazoo Oaks at Epsom gave Aidan O'Brien a record 41st British Classic winner, including 10 wins in the Oaks. Tuesday was also the 94th Group 1 winner for her sire, Galileo and the second Oaks heroine and third Classic winner for her dam, Lillie Langtry (following Minding and Empress Josephine). Coolmore/Ballydoyle's stats never cease to amaze.

Pletch Being Pletch…

The Todd Pletcher-trained Emmanuel is one of 51 Northern Hemisphere graded/group winners (106 overall) for the ever-present international powerhouse More Than Ready. Pletcher, of course, also trained More Than Ready to victory in the GI King's Bishop at Saratoga, 22 years ago!

Caveat Emptor?…

Richard Brown of Blandford Bloodstock picked up the G1 Cazoo Derby winner, Desert Crown, for 280,000gns ($368,734 using today's exchange rate) at Tattersalls Book 2 for owner Saeed Suhail. His breeder, Strawberry Fields Stud, had actually promoted the son of Nathaniel as a future Classic winner when selling him as a yearling in 2020. It pays to keep an eye on those TDN ads!

100 Years And Counting…

One hundred years on from the late Aga Khan III's initial foray into European racing, the internationally-renowned operation celebrated a Classic victory Sunday as Vadeni dominated the G1 Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) at Chantilly. It was also a first Group 1 victory for Coolmore stallion Churchill, from his first crop, highlighting the Aga Khan's belief in using the most suitable stallion for each individual mating, regardless of where they stand.

The Rising Star Machine…

Andiamo a Firenze was named the latest 'TDN Rising Star', and is the 23rd son/daughter of Speightstown to claim that honor. Echo Town, Charlatan, Sharing, and Munnings are also all on that particular roll of honor for WinStar's finest.

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