Piggott sits out Guineas

Lester Piggott has denied that he is about to retire from race- riding for the second time. The 59-year-old has yet to be seen in action in Britain this season and has not even re-applied for a riding licence from the Jockey Club.

However,he has been riding in Australia, Chile, Dubai and Singapore this winter. And the rider of a record 30 British Classic winners has said that he expects "to be back later in the year".

"I've done plenty of riding overseas in the last few months," Piggott said, "and I'm thinking of taking a holiday. I'm planning to take some time off between now and the end of May. After that I will think about getting my licence out again.

"I'll be going to the Guineas meeting but not as a jockey. I'm looking forward to watching the races from the stands."

Piggott first retired from race-riding in 1985. After a brief training career and a year in prison for tax offences, he made a return to the saddle in 1990.

The nine-time Derby winner rode Royal Academy to victory in the Breeders' Cup Mile at Belmont Park within a month of his comeback and gained his most recent Classic success on Rodrigo De Triano in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket two years later.

Piggott, who partnered his first winner in 1948, rode 19 winners in Britain last year.