Celebrating the career of the legendary jockey.
Lester Piggott will be honoured at the Tattersalls Irish Guineas Festival at the Curragh with a unique exhibition that celebrates his illustrious career.
The exhibition is sponsored by FBD Hotels & Resorts, who will also sponsor the inaugural race, The Lester Piggott FBD Hotels & Resorts EBF 2 Year Old Maiden.
A unique exhibition that celebrates the career of legendary jockey Lester Piggott will take place at this year’s Tattersalls Irish Guineas Festival on 21-22 May at the Curragh. Curated by racing memorabilia collector Nick O’Toole and sponsored by FBD Hotels & Resorts, the exhibition will showcase some rare and never-before-seen memorabilia, including pieces kindly loaned by the Piggott family.
Nicknamed ‘the Long Fellow’ because of his unusually tall height for a flat jockey, Lester rode his first winner at the age of 12 in 1948. In a career that spanned almost 50 years, Lester’s catalogue of famous victories include 16 Irish Classics at the Curragh, and 30 English Classics. He was crowned champion jockey an incredible 11 times. Now 80 years old, the exhibition is a fitting tribute to an iconic sporting legend.
Sponsored by FBD Hotels & Resorts, the Lester Piggott exhibition will be housed close to the main enclosure and admission is free to all racegoers. Included among the memorabilia are trophies, racecards, paintings, prints and photographs, as well as the saddle used by Lester when he won the Epsom Derby on both Sir Ivor and Nijinsky.
FBD Hotels & Resorts will also sponsor the first race of the Tattersalls Irish Guineas Festival – aptly named The Lester Piggott FBD Hotels & Resorts EBF 2 Year Old Maiden at 3:25pm on Saturday, 21 May.
David Kelly, Chief Executive of FBD Hotels & Resorts, said: “FBD Hotels & Resorts is delighted to partner with the Curragh to celebrate one of horse racing’s most legendary jockeys. Lester is a true icon with a remarkable career, the likes of which we will probably never see again. It’s an honour to be part of such a special event and we look forward to welcoming everyone to the exhibition over the festival weekend.”
Broadcaster and daughter of the famous jockey, Tracy Piggott added: “My father was very moved when he heard about the exhibition. Ireland, and especially the Curragh, is full of many happy memories for him. This exhibition will be a very special moment for our family, and a fitting tribute to my father’s career. We’d like to thank FBD Hotels & Resorts and the Curragh for hosting this exhibition. We’re excited to see the final collection.”
Evan Arkwright, Commercial Manager at the Curragh, said: “Lester Piggott is a sporting legend, which is why we jumped at the chance of celebrating his career with this exhibition. Lester has strong ties with the Curragh having won so many of our greatest races, and I’m confident that the exhibition – which will be open to all racegoers – will give a fantastic insight into what was a remarkable career. On behalf of the Curragh, I’d like to thank the Piggott family for being so generous in allowing us access their personal collection of memorabilia.”
The Tattersalls Irish Guineas Festival takes place on 21 – 22 May at the Curragh. Saturday’s racecard sees the first race off at 3:25pm, and includes the feature race, the Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas, where Europe’s top colts will battle it out for racing glory.
The fantastic Interskalactic will keep the “apres party” going late into the evening when they perform in the main enclosure after the last race. The later time allows people attending the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at the K Club to make their way to the races when the golf is finished.
Sunday is Ladies Day and also promises to be an exciting day of racing with some of Europe’s best fillies competing for classic race glory in the Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas. The day also boasts the Tattersalls Gold Cup and the Irish Tatler Handicap, with the first race going to post at 1:20pm.
