The Derby has always been the most important race in England. It attracts the best thoroughbreds and it has been my good fortune to win it a few times on some great horses.”

These were the words this week of one of the greatest jockeys of all time, the legendary Lester Piggott. The modesty of the man means that winning the race on nine occasions translates in his language as a ‘few times’. Those nine wins will surely stand the test of eternity, as his nearest challengers are Jem Robinson and Steve Donoghue, their six victories being achieved in the early 19th and early 20th centuries respectively.