There was also the untimely withdrawal of Simply Great, a Wildenstein contender for the 1982 Derby (won by Golden Fleece). The horse was a warm favourite, having won the Dante Stakes at York; unfortunately he suffered an injury a couple of days before the big race, forcing Cecil to scratch him, therefore leaving Piggott without a ride that year. I have always wondered about this, but it is just another conspiracy theory!
I always believed that Wildenstein was looking to take all his horses out of Britain anyway. I also wondered whether the Vacarme decision was legitimate. After the 1983 Arc fiasco surrounding All Along, Wildenstein told Henry Cecil he did not want Piggott to ride his horses again; this led to Cecil's decision to employ Steve Cauthen in 1984. I think Wildenstein had a grudge against Piggott, possibly from the time Piggott on Le Moss trounced Buckskin in the 1979 Ascot Gold Cup.
@daraheen in those days if a jockey breathed on another horse, no matter how talentless, it was demoted behind it. Far more sensible rules these days (punishing the jockey rather than the horse and its connections), though this year's 1,000 Guineas was a dishonourable exception.
There was also the untimely withdrawal of Simply Great, a Wildenstein contender for the 1982 Derby (won by Golden Fleece). The horse was a warm favourite, having won the Dante Stakes at York; unfortunately he suffered an injury a couple of days before the big race, forcing Cecil to scratch him, therefore leaving Piggott without a ride that year. I have always wondered about this, but it is just another conspiracy theory!
malcs0 7 months ago
I always believed that Wildenstein was looking to take all his horses out of Britain anyway. I also wondered whether the Vacarme decision was legitimate. After the 1983 Arc fiasco surrounding All Along, Wildenstein told Henry Cecil he did not want Piggott to ride his horses again; this led to Cecil's decision to employ Steve Cauthen in 1984. I think Wildenstein had a grudge against Piggott, possibly from the time Piggott on Le Moss trounced Buckskin in the 1979 Ascot Gold Cup.
malcs0 7 months ago
scandalous!! if he'd sneezed he would have still lost the race!!..stewards very poor decision..the "interference" was minimal if any!!
blkbruv 8 months ago
scandalous!! if he'd sneezed he would have still lost the race..stewards very poor decision
blkbruv 8 months ago
Unreal that getting chucked out, got Lester chucked off them Wildenstein horses too, which was a bit of a sickner for him.......
quick46 9 months ago
How the hell was that chucked out???
daraheen 1 year ago
@daraheen in those days if a jockey breathed on another horse, no matter how talentless, it was demoted behind it. Far more sensible rules these days (punishing the jockey rather than the horse and its connections), though this year's 1,000 Guineas was a dishonourable exception.
ComteLafon 1 year ago