Carlisle Racecourse centre named after legend Piggott

Legendary former champion jockey Lester Piggott is to open a £1m extension to Carlisle Racecourse which has been named in his honour.

The 11-times champion, now aged 74, will formally open the Lester Piggott Race Centre on 23 June.

The centre features a range of facilities for jockeys, stewards, medical staff and the media.

The opening ceremony will take place exactly 44 years after Mr Piggott won the Cumberland Plate at the course.

Mr Piggott said: "It is great to be remembered in this way in Cumbria.

"My wife Susan has strong connections with the county. He grandfather was born in Penrith and trained for several years at Eamont Bridge."

The jockey' s career saw him win more than 4,000 races, including nine Derbys. He lives in Newmarket after retiring in 1994.