Lester Piggott leads tributes to old rival and pal Pat Eddery

Legendary former jockey Lester Piggott last night described Pat Eddery as “ a natural horseman” after his close friend died in the early hours of yesterday morning, aged 63.

Piggott and Eddery both won the jockeys’ championship 11 times and enjoyed an intense, yet satisfying, rivalry on the racecourse.

“Pat Eddery was as fierce an opponent on the racecourse as he was a loyal and dear friend off it,” said Piggott.