Famed Jockey, 54, Ends Retirement

Lester Piggott, 11 times a champion jockey, is returning to riding at age 54 after being granted a license by the Jockey Club, the sport’s ruling body in Britain.

Piggott passed the necessary medical tests, the Jockey Club announced today.

Piggott, who scored 29 classic victories before retiring in 1986, could be back on the track within the next few days.

Few jockeys continue to ride in their late 50s. Only Bill Shoemaker in recent times continued to enjoy much success at such an age. Shoemaker retired this year at 58 after a career in which he rode a world record 8,833 winning mounts.