Geneva, Switzerland - (Ass Mess): Fabled veteran horseracing jockey Lester Piggot is said to be ailing in a Swiss cardiac clinic amid reports that his pacemaker has given out in the final furlong of a 71 year life.
Son in law Willie Haggas told the press this morning that, in a departure with his legendary taciturn self, "Lester is conscious and coherent".
The eleven times UK champion jockey rode his first Derby winner Never Say Die at the age of 18 and followed up with another eight Derby firsts and 4,493 career wins.
But not all was sweet for the fabled rider who was sentenced to three years' jail in 1987 over a little matter of a £3.25 million tax evasion scam using an industry-standard network of different names to channel earnings in offshore banking havens in Switzerland, the Bahamas, Singapore and the Caymans.
Piggot made a famous comeback after early parole and scored a famous victory in the Breeders' Cup Mile in America.
Friend and family are confident that the old warhorse will make a complete recovery in time for a Lifetime Achievement Award to be presented in the Royal Box at Epsom on this year's Derby Day.
