Legendary jockey Lester Piggott will be honoured with a unique exhibition at this year’s Tattersalls Irish Guineas Festival which takes place on 21-22 May at the Curragh racecourse. Curated by racing memorabilia collector Nick O’Toole and sponsored by FBD Hotels & Resorts, the exhibition will showcase some rare and never-before-seen memorabilia, including pieces kindly loaned by the Piggott family.

Piggott (80), who rode his first winner at the age of 12 in 1948, enjoyed a glittering career that spanned almost 50 years. His haul of wins included 16 Irish classics at the Curragh and 30 English classics. He was crowned champion jockey an incredible 11 times.

The Lester Piggott exhibition will be housed close to the main enclosure and admission is free to all racegoers. Included among the memorabilia are trophies, racecards, paintings, prints and photographs, as well as the saddle used by Lester when he won the Epsom Derby on both Sir Ivor and Nijinsky.

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FBD Hotels & Resorts will also sponsor the first race, The Lester Piggott FBD Hotels & Resorts EBF 2 Year Old Maiden at 3.25pm on Saturday, 21 May.

David Kelly, chief executive of FBD Hotels & Resorts, said: “FBD Hotels & Resorts is delighted to partner with the Curragh to celebrate one of horse racing’s most legendary jockeys.”

Broadcaster and daughter of the famous jockey, Tracy Piggott added: “My father was very moved when he heard about the exhibition. Ireland, and especially the Curragh, is full of many happy memories for him. This exhibition will be a very special moment for our family, and a fitting tribute to my father’s career."