Former Newmarket trainer Michael Jarvis dies

Philip Robinson rides Rakti in 2005

Former Newmarket trainer Michael Jarvis has died, aged 73.

Jarvis guided Carroll House to victory in the 1989 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and landed the 2005 Epsom Oaks with Eswarah.

He retired in February after having heart surgery in 2009. He was also treated for prostate cancer.

Royal Ascot winner Rakti, who also won the Champion Stakes and Lockinge Stakes, was among his horses and he trained numerous Group One winners.

Former jockey Mick Kinane said: "It's very sad news. He was a lovely man to ride for and a lovely man to know.

Cornelius LysaghtBBC horse racing correspondent

The word 'gentleman' is badly over-used on these occasions, though in talking about Michael Jarvis, I can't think of anyone who could possibly come up with a better one. But his invariably quiet, measured tones and unswerving politeness disguised a steely edge that made the team from Kremlin House Stables in Newmarket's Fordham Road feared by all rivals. So, racing finds itself mourning a second racehorse trainer this week after the death of Ginger McCain. Two more different people doing the same job it is hard to imagine, but there is no difference in the intensity of the pain felt at their loss. Two legends of the sport, one who went about his highly effective business rather more flamboyantly than the other went about his, are gone. A sad week.

"He was a thorough gentleman. It's so unfortunate that he didn't get to enjoy his retirement and such is life.

"Carroll House got me off to a great start. I'd have to say he got me on to the international stage in winning an Irish Champion Stakes and then going on to win an Arc.

"He was my big breakthrough horse so he'll always have a high place in my book."

Roger Varian, who took over the Kremlin House Stables after Jarvis's retirement said: "It's a terribly sad day. Michael passed away this afternoon having lost his battle against cancer.

"His achievements and racing exploits go without saying but, first and foremost, he was a wonderful man - a true gentleman and I imagine a great husband, a great father and a good friend to many.

"That was Michael Jarvis.

"He happened to be a great racehorse trainer as well but, first and foremost, he was just a wonderful man.

"He won many big races but probably put up the bravest fight of his life against cancer. He battled hard and he saw it out as long as he possibly could."

Philip Robinson enjoyed many major successes as Jarvis' stable jockey, including five Group One wins with Rakti.

He told At The Races: "It's really heartbreaking. I was trying to get to see him at the weekend but I was informed by his wife Gay that he was in a very bad way and not able to talk. It's very sad.

Jarvis retired in February

"All you can say is that he was a very, very nice man. I've never known anybody say a bad word about him. That for me sums it up.

"He was a gentleman and he wasn't just a normal trainer - he was an exceptional trainer, who was able to get the best out of horses.

"It's devastating news.

"We had a run of a few exceptional years. We won the French Derby with Holding Court, the Italian Derby with Morshdi and then Rakti came along. We had a purple run and it was lovely to be there with him.

"At the time we enjoyed it and it was a privilege to be there with him."