A Jockey's Life

Piggott, Britain's top rider for some three decades, retired in 1985 at age 50 and is now a trainer. Descended from trainers and jockeys on both sides of his family, he seemed destined for a career in racing and began as an apprentice at 12. Two years later he was clocking over 400 rides a season and winning more than 50. Within a decade, Piggott was the most successful rider in England, a situation that continued for years, until he began to tire of merely amassing victory statistics. From 1954 to 1966, he rode for trainer Noel Murless, who had horses belonging to Queen Elizabeth, Aly Khan and Sir Victor Sassoon, but then determined to freelance, which he did until his retirement. Piggott has had his difficulties: severely hearing-impaired since birth, he suffered numerous injuries, and he always had trouble with his weight. Anyone associated with the sport of kings would be fortunate to have Francis as a biographer, and the prolific mystery writer, himself an ex-jockey, has done a superb job here. Photos not seen by PW. (October 10)