Lester Piggot was discussing race tactics with his horse’s trainer. The trainer said that this is his absolutely worst horse. It had lost 23 races in a row.

After the race began Lester was 30 lengths behind after a furlong. He gave the horse an almighty backhander on the behind. Nothing! He then gave him a series of sharp slaps down the shoulder. Nothing!

The horse suddenly stopped. He turned round to Lester and says, “For Christ sake will you stop. I have to be up at half four in the morning delivering milk!”

• Lester Piggott is probably the greatest jockey in British history with 4,493 winners