Lester Piggott’s passing at the weekend triggered a deserved flood of tributes, delivering a reminder of the towering stature of a man who influenced racing on a global scale, including Hong Kong.
Very few athletes are recognised around the world simply by their first name. Lester was one of them. It is truly remarkable to reflect on the statistics that set Lester apart from his peers, including the fact that he was considered unusually tall (1.73m) – at the time – for a jockey and that he had to waste constantly to ride at 117lb.
His tally of 11 British Champion jockey titles, a record nine Epsom Derby winners and 4,493 winners overall – with many of those victories spread across Hong Kong (36), France, Australia, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Slovakia and Canada – made him a colossal international racing figure.
Lester was always keen to come to Hong Kong for the International Races and my personal recollections include sharing some birthday dinners together with him and his very close friend Ivan Allan.
For me, it was unforgettable listening to the memories he shared with Ivan about the big races they had won together. Lester was a huge name in every country he rode in and his achievements in so many different racing jurisdictions illustrate just how brilliant he was in the saddle.
Fittingly, his biggest win in Hong Kong came in partnership with Ivan when Sterling Town won the 1994 Hong Kong Classic Trial, only a year before Lester retired for the final time at the age of almost 60 – having won his first race in 1948 as a 12-year-old.
Lester will be deeply missed and I extend my condolences to his family. With the 2022 edition of the Epsom Derby on Saturday night, I look forward to enjoying the celebration of a truly outstanding career in the most perfect setting.
The influence of great international riders such as Lester aside, Hong Kong’s Apprentice Jockeys’ School (AJS) has done a wonderful job since its inception in 1972 to provide local riders with a pathway to successful careers.
Appropriately, the AJS will celebrate its 50th anniversary on Sunday (5 June) at Sha Tin with the staging of the Apprentice Jockeys’ School 50th Anniversary Cup.
Tony Cruz, one of Lester’s former rivals, was among the first intake and we need only look at the current jockeys’ championship to see how important the AJS has been to Hong Kong racing with the prominence of Matthew Chadwick (44 wins this season), Vincent Ho (41), Derek Leung (37), Matthew Poon (27) and Jerry Chau (27).
Going forward, the Racing Development Board is to be rebranded as the Racing Talent Training Centre and will house two schools – the AJS and the Racing Talent School – which will deliver riding and non-riding programmes, respectively.
At Happy Valley on Wednesday night, the finale is the Class 3 Caine Handicap over 1650 metres, which features a number of horses that have a realistic chance of success. The race will be run at a good pace with Viva Hunter showing his usual speed under new jockey Harry Bentley and last-start winner Nimble Nimbus also in close attendance with Derek Leung.
En Pointe is making his first start at Happy Valley and his first around two turns. He will also be forwardly placed and has already won three races this year at Sha Tin over 1400m. Regular rider Zac Purton can lead or sit just behind the leaders with En Pointe, who has trialled well at Happy Valley in the past and is a place chance.
Gift Of Lifeline backs up after running a good third over the course and distance last week and is well drawn here with Jerry Chau. He will get a nice run from midfield and is a win and place chance after the promising run in his last race, which was run in good time.
Crossford has the advantage of the inside draw on the C+3 course and will be about midfield with Joao Moreira. He will be making ground late as a place chance along with last-start winner Win Win Fighter and jockey Karis Teetan. Win Win Fighter benefited from a fast pace when winning his last start against lesser opposition but his recent form is good and he is a chance at the weights in his current form.
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