Lester Piggott, the outstanding jockey of the postwar era, dies aged 86

Lester Piggott, who earned the nickname ‘The Long Fellow’ during a successful and turbulent career, pictured in London in October 2015. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

Lester Piggott, the outstanding jockey of the postwar era and a figure who transcended the sport of racing when the popularity of the Derby was at its height, has died aged 86.

Piggot’s son-in-law, Derby-winning trainer William Haggas, said: “Sadly we can confirm that Lester died peacefully in Switzerland this morning. I really don’t wish to add much more than that at this stage, although [my wife] Maureen will be making a statement later.”