Racing Centre

Lester Piggott came to Newmarket's NatWest Rowley Mile Racecourse this morning to see the "Lester The Legend" display being assembled in the Eclipse Marquee and to discuss final plans for his big day this Saturday, September 22. He and his wife, Susan, will be hosting lunch for family and friends in the Royal Box.

Lester Piggott Day, sponsored by Victor Chandler, will provide a wonderful opportunity for Lester's legions of fans to pay tribute to their hero on the racecourse where he rode seven Classic winners, the first on Crepello 50 years ago in the 1957 2000 Guineas. Each race is named after one of his Guineas winners and the footage of their Guineas will be shown on the big screen, with the BBC radio commentary of Crepello's victory being played as no TV footage of that race exists.

Lester's daughter Tracy, who presents horseracing on RTE, Ireland's main television channel, is flying in for Saturday and will conduct interviews over the public address from the winner's enclosure with some of Lester's contemporaries who will reflect on Lester's career. Sir Peter O'Sullevan and Peter Walwyn will both be interviewed and it is hoped that Julie Cecil, Joe Mercer, Jimmy Lindley and Bruce Raymond will be others to join Tracy during the afternoon.

Lester's young son, Jamie, will be present and, depending on whether they have to accompany runners elsewhere, it is hoped that his daughter Maureen and son-in-law William Haggas will also be there.

Lester and Sir Peter O'Sullevan will both sign copies of Sir Peter's book "Horse Racing Heroes", in which there is a chapter on Lester. Lester will also sign copies of his own book, "Lester's Derbys". Proceeds from the sale of the books will go to Lester's nominated charities - Racing Welfare, the Injured Jockeys' Fund and Sir Peter O'Sullevan's Charitable Trust. The signing will take place in the Eclipse Marquee from 2.25pm, where the "Lester The Legend" display is located. Proceeds from the sale of the Lester Piggott merchandise in the marquee will also go to Lester's charities, as will the entire £2 admission fee to the marquee.

There will be a souvenir racecard, which contains Lester's own reflections on each of his seven Guineas winners, and the "Lester The Legend" display will feature a series of iconic photos of Lester, as well as some pictures and memorabilia from Lester's own home.

Lester will present a number of trophies during the afternoon, including the one for the big race, the Victor Chandler Nijinsky Handicap.

The day had to be postponed in May when Lester was taken ill in Switzerland.

"The weather forecast is very promising and it should be a fantastic day," said Newmarket's Managing Director, Lisa Hancock. "Newmarket has never staged a day like this before and Lester is really looking forward to it. He's in great form."

Premier Enclosure admission costs £22 (£12 for senior citizens and other concessions) and Grandstand & Paddock £14 (£9 for senior citizens and other concessions), with all accompanied children under 16 admitted free of charge. For more information visit www.newmarketracecourses.co.uk or call 01638 675 500.