I WISH I could say that I knew Lester Piggott well. My encounters with him were, generally, of a fleeting nature, though I do recall a visit he made to my parents, and his easy demeanour as he chatted with us.

I was probably somewhat awestruck to be in the presence of someone who had been, and still was, a towering figure in my life. Months before my birth he won his second Derby at Epsom on Crepello, doubling up when adding the Oaks on Carrozza for Queen Elizabeth.

He rode his final winner as a professional a month after my 37th birthday, and his career in the saddle was not far short of half a century, with a few years of a gap.

His name is instantly recognisable, even though Lester retired more than a quarter of a century ago. Few sportsmen or women achieve such fame, though he carried that mantle lightly and was never one to relish the spotlight. Much is written about his shyness, but that veneer masked a brilliant mind and a competitive spirit.

He was, after all, a winner.

Lester’s record of achievements, and the list of great horses he rode, will hardly ever be matched, and his talent is acknowledged by others who would be considered greats in the saddle.

The mystique that was built around him is legendary, and I hope that even half of the stories told about him are true. In every sense he is deserving of the oft-used but rarely deserved title, that of a legend.

Behind all the successes, and the inevitable dark days, after all the plaudits and accolades have been given, there is a man who was a son, father, husband and partner, and to all who knew him best, and loved him most, our sincere sympathies are extended.

This week’s three-page tribute consists of personal testimonies to a sporting great, but it is worth saying something about the many great achievements Lester Piggott had as a jockey. Champion in Britain on 11 occasions, he won 30 British classics, the Derby nine times. Some 16 Irish classic successes was also a notable feat, his five Derby wins starting with Meadow Court in 1965 and ending with Shergar in 1981.

From his first win, at the age of 12 on The Chase, to his scintillating success on Royal Academy in the Breeders’ Cup Mile the week before his 55th birthday, he was supreme.

Rest in peace Lester, and thanks for so many unforgettable memories.