Piggott follows in his father’s footsteps

Jamie Piggott, son of the legendary Lester, will try to follow in his father's footsteps when he has his first ride in public at Killarney today. The 19-year-old will get the leg up on Pivotal Rock in the Killarney Grand Live Music Handicap over an extended mile at the County Kerry venue.

The apprentice jockey is attached to his mount’s trainer Tommy Stack in Co Tipperary and will face 14 rivals. Under the rules of the race the inexperienced rider is allowed to claim 10lb and will be opposed by some very experienced riders including Fran Berry, Ben Curtis, Billy Lee and Rory Cleary.

“He’s been coming here since he was a kid during the holidays. We’ll take it from here and see how he gets on,” said Stack’s son and assistant, Fozzy. “He’s also had some experience at Ballydoyle and he’s a nice kid. I don’t know if anybody will be as good as Lester.

“This horse usually runs his race so we’ll see how he goes. ”

Bookmakers believe the young Piggott could be a chip off the old block and are taking no risks in pricing up his future achievements. Coral quote him at 10-1 to be crowned champion apprentice in Ireland before the end of 2015 and also make him 50-1 to be champion jockey in the UK before the end of 2018, a title his father won 11 times, 16-1 to ride a Classic winner in Ireland or the UK in that time, and 66-1 to ride a Breeders’ Cup winner.