Racing Centre

FIFTY years on from his first 2000 Guineas victory, Newmarket's most famous resident, Lester Piggott, is looking forward to the day being held in his honour on the NatWest Rowley Mile on Saturday, May 19.

Lester Piggott Day, sponsored by betdirect, will provide an opportunity for his fans across the country to honour the greatest jockey of the modern era and to relive those seven great Guineas victories with Lester on the big screen. Each of the seven races on Lester Piggott Day will be named after his Guineas winners - Crepello (1957 2000 Guineas), Sir Ivor (1968 2000 Guineas), Nijinsky (1970 2000 Guineas), Humble Duty (1970 1000 Guineas), Fairy Footsteps (1981 1000 Guineas), Shadeed (1985 2000 Guineas) and Rodrigo De Triano (1992 2000 Guineas), with the footage of those historic victories being played on the screens prior to each race.

"The names of these races will bring back some great memories for me and for many others," said Lester. "I hope that a lot of people will come along to enjoy the day.

"My first Guineas victory on Crepello was obviously very special. He was a fantastic horse and though he only just won, that was the day he first proved how good he was."

A special exhibition, organised by the National Horseracing Museum and sponsored by betdirect, is being put together for the day. It will be housed in the Eclipse Marquee, close to the Premier Enclosure entrance to the NatWest Rowley Mile, but also accessible to Grandstand & Paddock racegoers. As well as incorporating exhibits from the Museum, it will include many photographs and memorabilia from Lester's own home which he is lending for the occasion - the first time that they will have been seen in public.

Admission to the exhibition will be £2, with every penny being donated at Lester's request to charity. There will be an equal split to Racing Welfare, the Injured Jockeys' Fund and Sir Peter O'Sullevan's Charitable Trust, whose beneficiaries include the Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre.

In the exhibition marquee, Lester will sign copies of his autobiography during the afternoon. He will also present the trophy for the main race, the betdirect Crepello Heritage Handicap.

A souvenir racecard will contain articles on his seven Guineas winners, pay tribute to his career and contain many photos.

"We hope that some of the jockeys he used to ride against and the trainers he rode for will be present on the day," said Lisa Hancock, Newmarket's Managing Director. "It's going to be wonderful occasion and when I saw Lester last week he was really looking forward to it.

"Anyone who likes their football can rest assured that we will have a big screen on the Hyperion Lawn, accessible to Premier Enclosure and Grandstand & Paddock racegoers, showing live coverage of the FA Cup Final that afternoon."

Charlie McCann, Head of PR for betdirect, said: "It is a privilege for betdirect to sponsor what is sure to be a wonderful raceday at the Home of Racing in honour of Newmarket's favourite son and the sport's greatest ever jockey. Lester Piggott remains a British sporting icon and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to play a small part in honouring the great man as we relive some of his great Guineas victories fifty years on since Crepello's narrow success."

Book online for a 20% discount on admission! Premier Enclosure admission costs £22 (reduced to £17.60 if booked online in advance) and Grandstand & Paddock £14 (reduced to £11.20 booked online in advance). There is a £2.50 booking fee per transaction. Visit www.newmarketracecourses.co.uk or you can ring 01638 675 500 for more information.

DOES ANYONE HAVE FOOTAGE OF CREPELLO'S GUINEAS VICTORY?

Newmarket is putting out a plea to anyone who knows of any footage of Lester's first Guineas winner, Crepello in 1957.

"The BBC, ITV and Channel 4 archives do not have anything from the 1957 Guineas - only his subsequent Derby victory," said Lisa Hancock, Newmarket's Managing Director. "We have the BBC Radio commentary to play out on the day, but if anyone knows of any archive footage, we would be most grateful to hear from them."

For more information:

Lisa Hancock, 01638 675 501

Alistair Haggis, 07884 026 487