Legendary jockey Lester Piggott has died at the age of 86.

Piggott is widely regarded as the best rider of all time, having racked up a staggering 4,493 winners on the flat in Britain and 20 over hurdles in a 43-season career.

The Englishman won 30 British Classics – including a record nine in the Derby – and had 116 Royal Ascot successes.

His tally of worldwide winners is said to be around the 5,300 mark.

Among the many highlights of his career was completing the Triple Crown on Nijinsky in 1970.

A sporting icon, Piggott was champion jockey 11 times and runner-up in six seasons.

It was announced on Sunday that Piggott had passed away in Switzerland, where he lived.

Trainer William Haggas, Piggott's son-in-law, said "Sadly we can confirm that Lester died peacefully in Switzerland this morning."