Legendary jockey Lester Piggott has died aged 86, his son-in-law has said.

Piggott, who won the Derby nine times, had been in hospital in Switzerland.

During a career lasting almost 50 years he rode 4,493 winners.

He rode his first winner, The Chase, at the age of 12 at Haydock in 1948.

His final win was on Palacegate Jack on the same course in 1994, a few weeks before his 59th birthday. He retired in 1995.

Piggott was crowned champion jockey 11 times between 1960 and 1982 and was inducted into the British Champions Series Hall of Fame last year.

Piggot’s son-in-law, Derby-winning trainer William Haggas, said: “Sadly we can confirm that Lester died peacefully in Switzerland this morning.

“I really don’t wish to add much more than that at this stage, although Maureen (Maureen Haggas, Piggott’s daughter) will be making a statement later.”

Born in November 1935, Piggott is regarded as one of the greatest flat racing jockeys.

Known as “The Long Fellow”, he kept himself thirty pounds (14kg) under his natural weight to remain competitive.

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