Tracy Piggott, the daughter of late horse-racing legend Lester Piggott, has paid tribute to her father – saying “daddy, I will miss you so much” in the wake of his death.
The record-breaking jockey, who famously rode Shergar to a Derby victory in 1981, died in Switzerland in the early hours of Sunday morning. He was 86 years old.
Writing on her Instagram page, Tracy captioned a post of her beloved father: “It’s a sad, sad day. Daddy, I will miss you so much.”
Read More: 'True titan, sporting icon and superb tactician' Lester Piggott dies aged 86
He was in Ireland with her late last year after coming over to join in her wedding celebrations, alongside her mother Susan.
Underneath her photo of her father, Yvonne Connolly wrote he was a “legend” of a man.
She said: “Thinking of you all Tracy. Legend of a man and a legend of a jockey. May he rest in peace.”
Just last month saw the former RTÉ racing correspondent and her daughter Tia unveiling a statue of Lester at the Guineas Festival at the Curragh, where he had previously clocked up five Derby victories.
Lester had been hospitalised on May 22 in a hospital in Switzerland and the family had been hopeful he would make a full recovery, according to reports.
Speaking last week about his failing health, after he was admitted to a Swiss hospital, his daughter Maureen spoke about how Lester “is a legend, but sadly not immortal.”
“Lester is 86 and he has given his body a beating since he was 12 years old,” she said at the time.
It was his son-in-law William Haggas, who is married to his daughter Maureen, who confirmed the news of his death Sunday morning.
“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 Maureen will be making a statement later,” said Haggas.
Tributes have been pouring in for him from racing luminaries since the news of his death emerged.
Trainer Aidan O'Brien told Racing TV that his knowledge of the sport was incomparable.
"His knowledge was second to none," O'Brien told the broadcaster.
"He didn't say a lot but every word he said you really hung on to.
"It always meant so much and you knew there was so much experience in there, so much knowledge, so much natural ability to assess a horse.
"We're just so sorry for everybody that he has passed, but what a special man.
"For us, it was an absolute privilege that we did know him and got to know him over the years."
Piggott won 16 Irish Classics, including five Irish Derbys between 1965 and 1981.
Irish trainer and former jockey Jonjo O'Neill said Piggott was 'a true gentleman'.
"I'm very saddened to hear of passing of Lester Piggott," he posted on Twitter.
"He was a legend of the sport and true gentleman, who I was lucky enough to ride with on the flat a few times.
"All my thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time."
Meanwhile, the Irish Jockeys Association said Piggott set a great example for other jockeys.
"The accolade of 'legend' is so often undeserved but not for this man," they tweeted.
"He was the guiding light for so many jockeys over the years and long after his retirement."
Piggott won his first race at the age of 12 and secured the first of his nine Derby wins in 1954 on Never Say Die at the age of 18.
He enjoyed success with renowned Irish trainer Vincent O'Brien, famously winning the English Triple Crown in 1970 on the O'Brien-trained Nijninsky.
It was the first time it had been won in 35 years and hasn't been achieved since.
Later that decade, he twice won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on O'Brien's Alleged in 1977 and 1978.
Piggott retired in 1985 but returned to the sport in 1990, winning the Breeders Cup just 10 days later.
He retired for good in 1995 at the age of 59.
He is survived by his partner Barbara FitzGerald, wife Susan, daughters Maureen and Tracy and son Jamie.
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