Decision expected on 'Piggott day'
A decision is expected later today by Newmarket officials on whether ’Lester Piggott day’ will take place as planned on the Rowley Mile on Saturday.
Those closest to the 71-year-old were last night in a positive mood as he recovered from the recurrence of a heart problem in a hospital in Switzerland.
Arguably the greatest rider of them all, Piggott is being treated in Lausanne, where he has been joined by his wife Susan and daughter Maureen Haggas.
Piggott was due to attend the special raceday in his honour at the weekend, with his local course having been the setting for many of his greatest triumphs.
The 11-times champion was suffering problems with his health a few months ago and was first admitted to West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds after feeling unwell on Christmas Eve on his return from a trip to Hong Kong. He was released five days later.
As well as the 4,493 career wins before retirement in 1994, and his nine Derbys, Newmarket were preparing to celebrate Piggott’s seven victories in the Guineas and the news has rocked the town’s racing community.
Alistair Haggis, spokesman for Newmarket racecourses said: “The update we had that Lester’s life is not in any danger is very good to hear and everyone at the racecourse wishes him all the very best for a full and speedy recovery.
“We will be consulting with Lester’s family and will make an announcement about plans for Saturday.”
It is 50 years since the first of Piggott’s seven Guineas winners, after whom the races on ’Lester Piggott Day’, sponsored by Betdirect, are named.
The National Horseracing Museum has borrowed pictures, trophies and memorabilia from Piggott’s home to create a special display in a racecourse marquee.
Maureen Haggas is the wife of Newmarket trainer William, who told Racing UK: “I think it is fairly common knowledge that he had a bit of a heart problem at Christmas time and he had a recurrence of that in Switzerland.
“Susan and Maureen flew out there, fairly worried as you can imagine. But Maureen rang me up and said everything was under control and he was in intensive care as a precaution. In her opinion he is going to get better, which is fantastic.
“Everyone knows that if you have been in hospital with a heart condition and you go back in and enter intensive care it is a worry and it is a fear. But I am assured by Maureen – and I know from the tone of her voice that there is no worry in it – that he is going to be fine.”
