Racing week: Health scare for Lester Piggott

Lester Piggott in heart scare

Racing legend Lester Piggott, 71, has been given the all clear after spending Christmas in hospital. He was admitted to West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds on Christmas Eve after feeling unwell and underwent tests for a suspected heart problem. The tests did not show any cause for concern and he was discharged on 29 December. Piggott retired from racing in 1994 after 4,493 career wins including nine Epsom Derby victories.

Kauto Star is favourite to win the 2007 Cheltenham Gold Cup following an impressive performance in the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day. He will be facing 2006 winner War of Attrition in the race, but his King George rivals Exotic Dancer and Racing Demon are expected to contest the Ryanair Chase at the festival instead. War of Attrition is expected to go straight to Cheltenham in March without any further races. He finished third in his last race, the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown

Grandstand tickets for this year’s Vodaphone Derby will be £2 cheaper this year than previously at £32 each. The price reduction is due to the ongoing work at Epsom racecourse, which is going to reduce both the capacity and facilities available to racegoers. Only 5,000 grandstand tickets will be available and priority will be given to those who have attended in meeting in recent years. A new pedestrian enclosure called the Tattenham Straight will be set up to cater for those who are unable to get tickets in the grandstand to watch Britain’s richest race.

The dangers fireworks pose to horses have been highlighted once again as a racehorse broke her pelvis after being startled by nearby fireworks on New Year’s Eve. The mare was stabled at Joss Saville’s yard in Lancashire. The five-year-old is being treated for her injuries but the prognosis remains guarded at this stage. Read H&H’s full story on this accident in next Thursday’s issue (11 January, 07)

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