Sir Ivor - 1968 Washington DC International

Sir Ivor under a vintage Piggott ride wins the Washington DC International at Laurel Park.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Sir
• Ivor
• 1968
• Washington
• DC
• International

[terryeggett1]

OMG how great was Lester?Steve Cauthen, Joe Mercer and Yves Saint - Martin true artists in the saddle.

[emmelby]

I'm trying to imagine Australasia's racing industry without one particular son of Sir Ivor. Nope, can't do it.

[ComteLafon]

you're right; that wasn't an easy race to ride at all, but supreme confidence in himself, and in his horse - as well as a complete indifference to criticism - makes it look easy in the end. Sir Ivor wasn't really a 12 furlong horse but ridden the right way he could look as though he stayed every inch. I don't know why people argue so much about who's best on form etc etc - it seems pretty clear that Sir Ivor was one of the modern greats.

[malcs0]

Lester's incredible brain is working overtime in this race. he gets shoved back at one point, which would have done lesser jockeys. Then he manages to get Sir Ivor to give him some speed for a few strides to get him into the correct position, then on ground which was considered very heavy, conjures up a final sprint to take the race by a neck! Some US journalists called him a "Limey Bum" because they did not understand him, or the way he rode. Lester just ignored them!

[slingampv]

Does anybody have the video of the 1972 or 1973 Washington DC International race in which the mount of Lester Piggott, Singapore horse Jumbo Jet, fell causing him yet another major international winner, please? I have searched for this video endlessly with no luck so far. No doubt it exists, though. I do believe Lester is quoted as saying from his hospital bed the next day"we were only cantering when he went down!" Would really appreciate your help on this one ladies n gentlemen! Cheers!

[terjer01]

I believe legendary MJC announcer Ray Haight on the call here.

[1oldirishman]

@pendil99

Thanks for putting me right on that. I vaguely recall thinking that Piggott was wrong, but was still amused by his (alleged) arrogant remark. I think Music Boy was just a good early season sprinter, and did not improve??

[pendil99]

@1oldirishman

Actually, the horse was Music Boy which was a 5f flyer which needed to be raced flat out from the start. Lester disobeyed orders, tried to "hold it up", and was narrowly beaten. Next time out, J Seagrave rode it "properly" and it won. Piggott just made a misjudgment.

[1oldirishman]

Sorry, Pac, that reply was meant for nuiprit's story about a trainer telling Piggott he wouldn't ride for him again.

[1oldirishman]

I remember that. Northern trainer; Blackshaw, something like that. His 2-year-old was very fast. Went for a higher grade race, and Piggott was hired to 'do the business'. Lester was told not to strike the horse with the whip. You can guess the rest! For all the Long Fellow's urgings, the young horse wasn't quite as good as his trainer had thought.