"A Jockey's Life: The Biography of Lester Piggott" By Dick Francis

Dick Francis’s "A Jockey's Life: The Biography of Lester Piggott" is a captivating portrayal of one of the most successful and controversial jockeys in the history of horse racing. The book is a detailed account of Piggott’s life and career, starting from his early days in the saddle to his rise to international fame as a champion jockey. Through his writing, Francis skillfully captures Piggott’s passion for the sport, his single-minded dedication to winning, and the many challenges he faced throughout his illustrious career.One of the most striking aspects of the book is the way in which Francis portrays Piggott as a deeply complex and multifaceted individual. On the one hand, Piggott is depicted as a fiercely competitive and driven athlete, with an almost obsessive desire to win. He is shown to be utterly ruthless on the track, willing to take risks and make split-second decisions in order to secure victory. Yet at the same time, he is also portrayed as a deeply private and introverted person, who shuns the spotlight and prefers to keep his emotions tightly controlled.Throughout the book, Francis makes it clear that Piggott’s success as a jockey was not simply a matter of talent and hard work, but also of sheer willpower and determination. He describes how Piggott would often push himself to the brink of exhaustion in order to maintain his weight and fitness, and how he would spend countless hours studying the form of his rivals and analyzing their weaknesses. He also depicts Piggott as a master tactician, able to read a race and make split-second decisions that could mean the difference between victory and defeat.At the same time, however, Francis does not shy away from the more controversial aspects of Piggott’s career. He is candid about Piggott’s struggles with the authorities, including his infamous tax evasion case in the 1980s, which saw him serve a prison sentence. He also explores Piggott’s relationship with his family and his marriages, including his tumultuous marriage to his first wife, Susan Armstrong-Jones, which ended in divorce.Despite these challenges, however, Francis maintains a deep admiration and respect for Piggott throughout the book. He is clearly impressed by the jockey’s extraordinary achievements on the track, as well as his resilience in the face of adversity. He also paints a vivid picture of the world of horse racing, with all its glamour and excitement, as well as its dark underbelly of corruption and greed.Overall, "A Jockey's Life: The Biography of Lester Piggott" is a masterful work of biography, which captures the essence of one of the most fascinating and enigmatic figures in the history of horse racing. Through his engaging and insightful writing, Francis brings Piggott to life on the page, revealing the many layers of his personality and the many challenges he faced throughout his career. Whether you are a fan of horse racing or simply interested in the lives of extraordinary individuals, this book is a must-read.