THE RETURN OF THE MAESTRO
It wasn’t The Derby, It wasn’t The National
The Oaks or the Vase at Chester
But the people were here, the betting shop full
For the 2.15 at Leicester
A two-year old race, but with none of the grace
Of the Dewhurst or Cartier Million
Yet both young and old had come here to behold
The return of a man who could thrill ‘em
Now old turned to young and said listen my son
Jockeys, they come and they go
But as long as there’s time, love, religion and crime
That man and his legend will glow
That man I should mention looks due for his pension
Now don’t judge a book by its cover
For though wrinkled and lean, with a pallor of green
His skill is possessed by no other
Five years had elapsed since he last graced the tracks
Though Lester showed little concern
When his horse was installed, it was God who we called
To make sure of a healthy return
His steed bold Lupescu tried bravely to rescue
The dream of a fairytale win
And though victory had beckoned, he’d settle for second
To the mount of a young Jimmy Quin
So Piggott was back, but that wasn’t that
There’s more of this yarn to spin
For here was a trick he’d been taught in the Nick
Old stoneface had learned how to grin
Now History relates he went out to the States
To capture the world’s richest mile
And as Europe’s salvation sparked scenes of elation
This grin was replaced by a smile
©Henry Birtles