A North-East racecourse today paid tribute to legendary jockey Lester Piggott following his death yesterday.

Jockeys wore black armbands at Redcar Races as a minute's silence was impeccably observed before the first race of today's meeting.

Racegoers joined the jockeys in bowing their heads in salute of the great rider, who won the Epsom Derby nine times and was champion jockey 11 times.

Leading jockey Ben Curtis summed up the feeling among jockeys by saying: “He was an unbelievable talent – one of those people who was known worldwide, way beyond racing. Everyone knew him. He was a great champion and will be sorely missed.”

The Northern Echo: