Lester Piggott, English racing`s living legend, scored one of the most remarkable victories of his long career when he won the $1 million Breeders`
Cup Turf with Royal Academy.
Piggott, who`ll be 55 Nov. 5, resumed riding last week after nearly five years of retirement that included a prison-term for tax evasion.
”Today was a dream come true,” said England`s all-time leading jockey.
”I really decided on the spur of the moment. You never know until you try. I didn`t know if anybody would give me a ride.”
Piggott got the ride on Royal Academy from Vincent O`Brien, the Irish trainer who had provided the horses for some of his most monumental triumphs when he was at his prime. O`Brien was the trainer and Piggott was the jockey in 1970 when Royal Academy`s father, Nijinsky II, became the last English Triple Crown winner.
Royal Academy`s career can`t be spoken of in the same breath as that of his father. Going into Saturday`s grass race he was a sprint specialist with three triumphs in six starts in England and Ireland.
Sent off at 5-2 odds in the 13-horse race, Royal Academy broke slowly on the outside.
”It didn`t make any difference anyway,” said Piggott. ”It takes him about 100 yards to warm up.”
Going into the stretch, Royal Academy swung five-wide and made a rapid-fire move in the middle of the track. A few strides from the wire he battled past Itsallgreektome, a 36-1 longshot from California, to win by a nose.
French Invader Priolo finished third-trailing runner-up Itsallgreektome by three-quarters of a length.
The Mile was run in 1:35 1/5 on a turf course labeled ”good,” and Royal Academy paid $7.60, $5.60 and $4.20.
