All-time great Lester Piggott 'in good shape' after being taken to hospital

Legendary jockey Lester Piggott is in hospital undergoing routine tests but is said to be "in good shape" by his daughter Maureen Haggas.

The 83-year-old, who won nine Derbys at Epsom and about 5,300 races worldwide, was taken to hospital in London over the weekend.

Piggott, who has suffered from heart problems in the past, is expected to be in hospital for a few more days while doctors monitor his condition.

Haggas, wife of trainer William, said: "I've just got back from visiting Dad in hospital, where he's been having some routine tests, but he's in good shape and was downloading the Racing Post on his iPad when I left."

She added: "He'll be in for a few more days but was taken in as a precautionary measure. He's in good shape considering he's been abusing his body since he was 16."

Nijinsky and Lester Piggott combined to win the Triple Crown in 1970Credit: Gerry Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Nijinsky, who took the Epsom Classic in 1970 and is the last horse to have completed the Triple Crown of the 2,000 Guineas, Derby and St Leger, is arguably the horse Piggott is most closely associated with.

Among the other greats he rode were Sir Ivor, winner of the 2,000 Guineas and Derby in 1968, The Minstrel, winner of the Derby in 1977, and Alleged, who landed the Arc in 1977 and 1978. All four were trained by Vincent O'Brien, with whom Piggott enjoyed an outstandingly successful association.

Piggott completed one of the most amazing sporting comebacks when winning the 1990 Breeders' Cup Mile, at the age of 54, on Royal Academy less than a fortnight after he had made a sensational return to riding in Britain.

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