Epsom Derby 2022: The Cazoo Derby to be renamed in honour of late jockey Lester Piggott who died aged 86 at the weekend

Callum Jamieson

Published: 16:15, 30 May 2022
Updated: 16:15, 30 May 2022

LESTER PIGGOTT would have hated all the fuss made of him over the last couple of days.

But just you wait until the weekend, Lester.

As the Derby rolls into town with more attention on it than ever thanks to the Platinum Jubilee, it’s a reminder no jockey in the history of the sport had more of an association with the race than the late Lester.

So what better way of honouring the record-breaking nine-time Derby legend - who died at the age of 86 on Sunday morning - than renaming the world’s most famous Flat race after the nation’s favourite for one afternoon.

Thankfully big-race sponsors Cazoo and the Jockey Club quickly bashed their heads together to do just that.

The Cazoo Derby In Memory of Lester Piggott will be the first-ever Classic run in memory of anyone and it could not have been saved for a more fitting occasion.

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Jockeys with black armbands and an emotional montage played over the screens are nice touches, but both would and have been done for much lesser-lights than Piggott.

So it’s great to see that two separate minutes of applause will take place - one before racing and one before the Derby. A wreath in the Nijinksy colours will also be placed by the statue of Piggott that overlooks the Downs.

No other racing personality will ever be as famous as Lester was - and Frankie Dettori won’t mind me saying that.

How many sports stars are known by only their first name? That started with Lester and was followed by the likes of Tiger, Seve and, of course, now Frankie.

Piggot shakes hands with The Queen after his statue was unveiled at Epsom in 2019Credit: Reuters

That’s the kind of company Lester keeps when the often repeated debate comes up in the pub of all-time ‘great’ sportsmen.

The other big debate this week is whether or not the Queen will be at Epsom on Saturday.

The Jockey Club had been planning for her attendance with plenty in place to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee . . . but the latest vibes from Buckingham Palace are that Her Majesty will be watching on from Windsor Castle.

With one Epsom legend a non-runner, here’s hoping The Queen is a last-minute declaration.