NINE-TIME Derby winner Lester Piggott has died, aged 86.

The Wantage-born jockey was a revered figure in horse racing, riding 30 British Classic winners across an extraordinary career spanning almost 50 years.

Piggott died this morning in Switzerland, where he had lived for the past decade, and the news was greeted by a flood of tributes.

Legendary trainer Sir Michael Stoute said: “Lester was a genius on a racehorse.

“I don’t think there has been anyone better.”

Piggott was born at Wantage Hospital on November 5, 1935, and was set for stardom from a young age.

He rode his first winner, The Chase, at Haydock in 1948 when he was just 12 years old.

Piggott’s maiden Derby victory came aboard Never Say Die in 1954, while there was a memorable success on The Minstrel in 1977 – beating Hot Grove, trained by Oxfordshire’s Fulke Johnson Houghton.

He was crowned Champion Jockey 11 times and rode well over 4,000 winners during his career.

Piggott’s final triumph was aboard Palacegate Jack on October 6, 1994, at the same Haydock track as his first success 46 years before.