Lester Piggott in Jamaica
Long-time owner and breeder Ossel Campbell shares his memories of the great Lester Piggott riding in Jamaica.
Watching the greats at work in any sport is always a thrill to be remembered. Be it Gary Sobers, Pele, or the more contemporary Shelley-Ann Fraser-Pryce or Usain Bolt.
Lester Piggott is in that exalted company. At the heights of his career, he was invited to ride at Caymanas Park by the Alexander Hamilton/Eileen Cliggott connections. Exact years elude me (and the various archives checked didn’t help). But it was in the late 1960s, early 1970s. The acceptance of the invitation by one of the greatest race riders of all time to ride at Caymanas Park was a signal honour.
He received the adulation of the Caymanas Park racing fans on every occasion. His ride on the Eileen Cliggott-trained E class campaigner IOU, toting 140 lbs, is considered one the greatest exhibition of race riding at the park.
May he find eternal rest.
