Lester Piggott has pacemaker fitted as he recovers from heart problem

Riding legend Lester Piggott has undergone surgery to have a pacemaker fitted to help his heart beat normally.

The 83-year-old is recovering from the surgery at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, to where he was transferred this week from a hospital in London.

Piggott, who has had heart problems in the past, was taken into hospital more than ten days ago and is hoping to be out at the end of this week.

A pacemaker is a small electrical device commonly fitted to the chest to help control abnormal heart rhythm. The implement uses electrical pulses to put the heartbeat back to its normal rate.

Piggott's daughter Maureen Haggas reported on Wednesday: "Dad is still in hospital in Cambridge but he's going the right way and hopefully he'll be out by the end of the week.

"He had a pacemaker fitted about ten days ago, which has slowed his recovery rate down a bit and it's taking him a little time to get back to full strength."

She added: "His appetite is good and he's on the ball but at 83 it takes its toll. He's getting there slowly. It was always the plan for him to be here for Christmas so we're looking forward to getting him home. He's had friends and family to visit him, which is all he can cope with at present."

Known as 'The Long Fellow', Piggott landed the Derby nine times and won more than 5,300 races worldwide.

Among those to visit him has been former weighing room colleague Bruce Raymond, who said: "Lester is doing well and is getting better every day. I believe he had a scan in the week, which they were happy with, and he seems alert enough as he spends most of his time playing backgammon with his son Jamie."

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