What made Lester Piggott the greatest jockey? Get in touch with your memories

You can email racingfeedback@sportinglife.com or tweet @SportingLife using the hashtag #Lester and we'll share all your memories of the legendary rider right here.

EMAILS:

Steve Arrowsuch - Doncaster: My absolute hero. When Lester got the leg up it wasn’t always the best horse that won, it was more often than not the one he was on.

Shaun Harrison (West Bromwich): Lester became at one with a horse, he cajoled and encouraged to its fullest ability, understanding from the true horsemanship within him, what his steed had left, what it needed to win, if there were any more gears left. He read the race so well, gathering in the reigns in his own unique style thrusted towards the winning line, simply like no other.

What stands out about a true great is that they make it all look so effortless, of course which it is not, Lester was a superb horseman, a genuine tryer - and a winner.

Arthur Boyle: Had it all strength, style, finesse, ruthlessness and unbelievable equine knowledge easily the greatest jockey of all time R.I.P Lester.

Philip Crack: I am sixty nine and have been to racing since I was twelve. Most people rightly so mention all the great horses in the classics he rode but the ones that stick in my mind are the two great horses for Bill Marshall namely the sprinter Raffingora and another of Bills My Swanee. The greatest jockey ever and will never be surpassed. Condolences to all his family and friends.

William Moore: I am 72 years of age and have just recovered from throat cancer.I have loved flat racing since a youngster and am privileged to have seen Lester at his best.In 1992 at Royal Ascot I came face to face with my hero .the great Lester Piggott walking towards the weighing room.I was awestruck.I spoke to him and asked him if he could wait a minute for me to go for my timeform book for him to sign for me.He was fabulous and graciously waited for this awestruck Welshman to return .He signed my book with a smile and I wished him well.He won the big race that day.I have been going to Royal Ascot for many years and seen some great horses from Brigadier Gerard to Frankel but nothing beats that short meeting with the great man.Rest in Peace my hero

Tim Williams Nottingham: What a sad day. So many memories. Seeing him win the Ebor on Tintagel II, the St Leger on Nijinsky. All from my boyhood when you were at the age when you had real heroes. He was certainly a hero to me.

Nigel Leggett: Lester quite simply is the greatest jockey ever to grace the turf. He had an iron will to win at all costs,I remember so many of his famous victories,one that stands out is his 1000 guineas win on Fairy Footsteps only days after having one of his ears nearly ripped off,it appeared that nothing could stop his quest for glory.

There are so many more memories of races that only Lester could have won.As has been well documented,he had many brushes with the authorities and received bans which were perhaps slightly due to who he was and perhaps unjust. Like his prison sentence,it was said that he was used as a example to others and after he was imprisoned, many others hastily settled tax bills.

But the abiding memory is of Lester perched imperiously high atop a racehorse, a slight that lit up the racecourses for nigh on half a century and will stay in our memories for ever as he was simply the greatest

Richard Vernall – Auckland New Zealand: One of my first scrap books which I still have to this day is filled with newspaper articles on Lester’s remarkable run of success in the UK Jockey’s championships from the mid 60s to the mid 70s and his jousts for supremacy with jockeys such as Geoff Lewis, Scobie Breasley, Sandy Barclay, Willie Carson, Ron Hutchinson, Greville Starkey, Eddie Hide, Jimmy Lindley and Ernie Johnson to name but a few of the great riders of the 60s, 70s and 80s.

I remember the thrill of reading about his great win on Sir Ivor in the Washington D.C. International in 1968, his wonderful handling of the brilliant but temperamental Nijinsky in 1970 and shouting him home on Rheingold in his first win in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 1973. Even more remarkable were the turn of events that saw Lester regaining the jockey’s championship in 1981 and 1982 (with over 180 winners in 82) and winning the Breeder’s Cup at Belmont, New York on Royal Academy in 1990 at the age of 54. A race I have watched many times when in need of some inspiration.

The photo I took of Lester leaving the birdcage at Ellerslie Racecourse, Auckland in 1984/1985 still retains a place on a bookcase in my home and like the millions of people around the world who admired his unique riding style, I have a sense that the world today feels a lesser place. However while the king of the turf may have passed, his deeds will stand the test of time and I feel very privileged to have lived through his reign. Rest in Peace.LPK..

Ricky Agosti: Headlines read , One of the greatest jockeys of our time LESTER PIGGOT has died . This headline is incorrect , it should read .... THE greatest jockey of our time LESTER PIGGOT has died , never his like to be seen AGAIN . R I P.

Alfie Potter: Lester Piggott's Derby successes were slightly before my time but as a racing fan I’ve watched replays of them many times and to have won the race nine times around one of the most unique and challenging racecourses for a thoroughbred in the world, and on all-time greats as well like Nijinsky, Sir Ivor to name a few, sets him apart.

Many great jockeys past and present have had plenty of success at Epsom but Lester's record at Epsom sets him apart from the rest and I’m sure will never be surpassed. A racing and sporting legend.

Dave Chapman: I would suggest that the great man is the only British sportsman (and only sportsman worldwide bar possibly Tiger) that is known throughout the world by his Christian name and when you think his career began over 70 years ago and ended well over 20 years ago that really is quite incredible.

Frankie Dettori has a huge profile yet Frankie courts the media and in fact needs it to function - Lester did his best to steer clear of the media and found it something of a chore yet was - is - and always will be the world's greatest and most remembered jockey. RIP.

Oh, and just to ensure he is never forgotten his sport always keep him in our thoughts through the awards that are The Lesters that recognize the very best in our great sport.

Tony Harbour: The best I have ever seen. The fact he rode for decades so much lighter than his natural body weight whilst maintaining his strength, poise and will to win was remarkable. Winning the 2000 Guineas on Rodrigo de Triano aged 56 was another fantastic achievement. A true enigma I would say, a brilliant sportsman and a hero to many of us who love horseracing. RIP

Martin Miller: Very sad news to hear as only yesterday I was hearing that he was improving. I remember going to Windsor to specifically ask him to autograph a photo of him riding my favourite horse Ardross he only had one ride so I waited outside the weighing room after the race he didn't say much as was his way but there was a big smile on his face when he saw Ardross and he made my day.

Thanks Lester for all those great rides thoughts with all his family - RIP Longfellow.

Danny Valler: Untouchable... RIP champ, you was quite simply from another planet.

Lindsay Blair: I was at Epsom to see all Lester Piggott’s Derby wins (and places!) from Sir Ivor onwards. So many unforgettable and thrilling memories of a brilliant jockey.

But one of the most emotional and breathtaking moments towards the end of his incredible career was Royal Academy’s win in the Breeders Cup Mile in 1990. So sad and thoughts are with his family.

Terry Chance: History will show that Lester Piggott was and will always be a legend in the racing world, so canny when picking his rides and to loose his knighthood was an injustice. RIP Longfellow.

Andrew Pelis, Newmarket: Very saddened to learn of Lester's passing. My thoughts are with his family at this time. So emotive it has happened during Derby week, the same thing happened with Dr Vincent O'Brien. A remarkable figure who transcended our sport.

His career, will, ability, sacrifice and character built up an aura that few sportsmen can carry. Even after his retirement it was there. He was always current.

I live about 100 yards from the grave of Nat Flatman, who is buried in All Saints Church, where Fred Archer got married. Lester has joined those greats now.

He will be talked of in reverence and so many stories will be discussed, 100 years from now, long after people have forgotten us and so will many of the horses he rode.

So many horses, so many stories and the beauty is that so much is captured on film.

Those horses live on already; here is just a tiny cross-section: Never Say Die, Crepello, Petite Etoile, Sir Ivor, Nijinsky, Roberto, The Minstrel, Shergar, Commanche Run, Shadeed, Ardross, Royal Anthem, Rodrigo De Triano, Mr Brooks. So many of them needed Lester's drive.

It is an incredible, rich tapestry to leave. We were privileged to live during his time. He has left so much legacy, for a person who spoke so rarely in public. That legacy is the reward of his deeds. RIP Lester.

TWEETS:

Read more on Lester Piggott...

• Stars pay tribute including Frankie Dettori, Aidan O'Brien and John Gosden
• Cornelius Lysaght looks back on a man forever linked with Derby week
• Nick Robson's obituary on the racing colossus 'with an iron will to win'
• John Ingles profiles Lester Piggott's nine Derby winners
• Timeform recall record-breaking St Leger win on Commanche Run
• Keith Hamer tracks the key moments from a remarkable riding career
• Lester Piggott dies, aged 86