THE exhibition of Lester Piggott memorabilia at the Curragh last Sunday was well received by racegoers.

Curated by collector Nick O’Toole, the exhibition featured some of Lester’s Jockey of the Year trophies, a champion apprentice trophy from 1950, and Lester’s trophy from the Breeders’ Cup Mile he famously won on Royal Academy in 1990.

Also on display were three racing saddles used by ‘the Longfellow’ and a miniature version of the Lester statue sculpted by William Newtown which celebrate the late jockey’s 30 British classic wins.

An unusual item on view was Lester’s original passport from 1954-’59, along with two original Peter O’Sullevan commentary racecards from the years in which Alleged won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 1977 and ‘78.

There were also nine Derby racecards, all from the years in which Lester rode the winner, and all signed by the great man, plus racecards marking Lester’s Royal Ascot victories on Gladness (1958), Le Moss (1979) and Ardross (1982).

Speaking of Gladness, the Piggott family sponsored the featured Group 3 Gladness Stakes, which is believed to have been the first race run anywhere in the world in memory of Lester, who died in May last year, aged 86.

Winning jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle received a print of a set of silks worn by Lester on his final racecourse ride which was in Australia.

The winning owner and trainer were presented with prints of the original painting by Richard Stone Reeves of Gladness winning the Ascot Gold Cup.