HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN UNVEILS LIFE-SIZE LESTER PIGGOTT BRONZE STATUE

Her Majesty The Queen arrived at Epsom Downs Racecourse for the Investec Derby dressed in a sky blue dress, matching hat and floral sky blue and yellow dress. The Queen met the legendary Lester Piggott before she unveiled a life-size bronze statue of the nine-time Derby-winning jockey.

It is the first of nine bronze statutes by portrait sculptor William Newton that will be installed at nine different racecourses around the country in honour of Piggott.

The idea was the brainchild of journalist Neil Morrice, who was joined by Osborne Studio Gallery’s Geoffrey Hughes and Brough Scott, and came to fruition thanks to the generous support of David and Christopher St George.

The Queen was at Epsom for all nine of Piggott’s Derby victories, and in 1957 he rode her own Carrozza to Oaks success.

The statue, located by the winners’ enclosure, met with Piggott’s approval.”I think it has been a great idea, it’s marvellous, I am honoured,” said Piggott, whose family and friends were all on hand to watch the occasion. “I had seen the statue before today and it is very good.”