Millionaire horse trainer David Brown dies aged 79 with wife by his side as racing mourns a ‘truly lovely man’

MILLIONAIRE horse trainer David Brown has sadly died aged 79 with his loving wife Sandra by his side.

Remembered as a ‘truly lovely man’ who had a winner at Royal Ascot, a statement posted on his Facebook page confirmed his passing.

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Racing is remembering trainer Brown after his sad death aged 79[/caption]

The message read: “It is with the greatest sadness we report the passing of trainer David Brown.

“After retiring from training due to ill health earlier this year, he passed away peacefully at home with his wife Sandra and family members by his side.”

Brown made his fortune after selling an engineering business he and a friend set up from scratch.

He and his wife enjoyed the fruits of his labour, buying a yacht and a place in Spain but he said all that ‘wasn’t enough really’ and it was then he turned to his passion – horses.

Brown set up his yard and would go onto become a Royal Ascot-winning trainer in 2011 thanks to Frederick Engels.

Owned by racing behemoth Sheikh Fahad and Qatar Racing, he stormed to victory in that year’s Windsor Castle Stakes under jockey Johnny Murtagh.

Top jockey Paul Mulrennan told the Racing Post how he fondly remembered one of Brown’s more old-fashioned techniques to get horses to win.

He said: “David was a great feeder of a horse. I was always taken aback by how well they were in their skins.

“If you saw them at the races they were big, strong and fresh and looked a million dollars.

“I remember he had crates and crates of Guinness, which he used to give them in their food – that was something that quite a few people did back in the day and there’s film of Arkle being given it.

“It’s desperately sad news, he was a lovely man and a gentleman.”

A string of messages on social media paid tribute to Brown.

One read: “A truly Lovely man. What struck me in his company was what a wonderful kind husband he was, for all his business and racing success his devotion to his family was amazing.”

Another person wrote: “This is terribly sad news. David’s personality was infectious, he had a lovely way with everyone and always made people feel welcome.”

While a third said: “Devastating news. A legend of a man who was always so generous with his time.”

Just last month popular tele star Leonna Mayor sent her best wishes to Brown while presenting on ITV Racing.

Brown’s 15-year career as a trainer came to end at Southwell in January this year.

Memorable winners in his 228 tally included Group 3 victor My Catch plus Listed scorers Doncaster Rover, Wind Fire, Medrano and Mind Of Madness.