The horse racing world was in mourning yesterday after the death of legendary owner and breeder Robert Sangster.

Sangster died yesterday aged 67 at his London home after losing a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer.

Sangster, who was separated from his third wife Sue, leaves four sons Ben, Adam, Guy and Max.

His funeral is due to be held at St Paul's in Knightsbridge, central London, on April 19.

Jockey Lester Piggott, who rode so many of Sangster's winners, was among the first to pay tribute to the tycoon.

''It's a very sad day and the end of an era,'' he said.

''I've known Robert since the 60s and we had great days and so many great horses.

''He was a great friend and a marvellous person to ride for. We'll miss him.''

Sangster was the best-known and most successful British-based racehorse owner of the last 30 years, topping the owner table in 1977, 1978, 1982, 1983 and 1984.

He won the Derby twice - with The Minstrel in 1977 and Golden Fleece in 1982 - along with a raft of other big races, including the 1000 and 2000 Guineas, Eclipse Stakes and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

The racehorse owner, whose wealth was believed to run into hundreds of millions of pounds, also enjoyed something of a playboy image. He dated a string of beautiful women, including supermodel Jerry Hall.

Sangster was credited with changing the face of racing with his revolutionary approach to the sport in the 1970s and 80s.

He used his fortune to create a thoroughbred racing and breeding empire that included interests in Australia, England, the United States, Ireland, France and New Zealand.