Piggott and Hobbs among racing's youngest stars to grab the limelight

1 Frank Wootton was still 15 when he became Britain's youngest champion jockey in 1909. Born in Australia in December 1893, the boy wonder rode his first winner at the age of nine in South Africa, moved to Britain at 12, and was champion jockey four consecutive times before his 19th birthday. He then grew too heavy for the Flat but became a leading jump jockey.

2 In the 19th century it was common for racehorses to be ridden by boys, and the identity of the youngest jockey ever is lost in the mists of time. Among big-race winners, William Harris was only ten when landing the Queensland Derby on Zambesi in 1869, and Peter St Albans was 11 when triumphing in the Melbourne Cup on Briseis in 1876.

3 Lester Piggott started his career at 12 in 1948, but Josh Gifford may have set a post-war record by having his first ride at the age of 11 – when sixth on Controller at Newmarket in April 1953. Gifford, champion jump jockey four times, was 21 when winning his first title in 1963, though the British record-holder in that category is Percy Woodland, who was a slightly younger 21 when champion in 1903.