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Betfred Sprint Cup 2009 |
Lester Piggott‘s Son-in-Law Aiming to Repeat History in Group 1 Betfred Sprint Cup
25/08/09
Lester Piggott won the Vernons Sprint Cup 3 times with, in 1971 'Green God’ (M.Jarvis), 1972 ‘Abergwaun’ (Vincent O'Brien) and 1980 ‘Moorstyle’ (R.Armstrong).
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Lester Piggott is Father-in-Law to William Haggas, who has two good chances in the 2009 Betfred Sprint Cup with ‘High Standing’ and ‘Triple Aspect’.
1980 family connection with trainer – Robert Armstrong (Susan Piggott's brother / Lester's brother in law.)
Robert Sangster who was a Director at Haydock Park and Chairman of Vernons Pools played an integral role in making the race a Group 1 contest. Robert also was a key player in the establishment of Coolmore.
Lester Piggott had his first and last winner at Haydock Park. His first winner was at Haydock Park when just 12 years old in 1948 riding ‘The Chase’ and after winning the Derby nine times he rode his final winner at the same venue in 1994 aboard ‘Palacegate Jack’.
The Betfred Sprint Cup is the feature race of Haydock Park’s flat season, for three-year-old and upwards with a prize fund of £300,000, attracting the very best 6 furlong horses from across the world. Previous winners, some becoming successful stallions, have been ‘Green Desert’, ‘Danehill’, ‘Dayjur’, ‘Polar Falcon’, ‘Sheikh Albadou’, ‘Royal Applause’, ‘Wolfhound’, ‘Diktat’, ‘Invincible Sprit’ and ‘Goodricke’. It was first run in 1966 and was originally run on the last day of the season in November, switching to September in 1979. Two-year-olds were eligible to run in the race prior to 1980, with both ‘Be Friendly’ (1966) and ‘The Blues’ (1973) winning as juveniles. Before the opening of the straight 6 furlongs at Haydock Park in 1986, the race was run on the round course. The Sprint Cup was promoted to Group 1 status in 1988.
