Racing greats led by Vincent O'Brien, Lester Piggott, Steve Cauthen and Pat Eddery paid tribute on Thursday following the death of leading owner-breeder Robert Sangster.

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

Lord Bell, speaking on behalf of the family, said: "He died at home in late afternoon, early evening time yesterday.

"He was surrounded by his family and he died very peacefully after a long illness that started nine or 10 months ago."

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 on April 19.

Sangster was the best-known and most-successful British-based owner of the last 30 years, topping the 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 Minstrel and Golden Fleece were both trained by the legendary Vincent O'Brien at Ballydoyle, and he led the tributes.

"We were deeply saddened to learn of Robert's death today. He was a great friend, a wonderful owner and part of our family, young and old, for many years," he said in a statement.

"Trusting and uncomplaining, with an excellent sense of humour, he was a joy with whom to share good times; he was enthusiastic and always grateful even for small victories.

"Magnanimous in defeat, he was a superb loser and did not waste time dwelling on what might have been. I appreciated, more than I can ever say, Robert's trust and confidence that I, as trainer and partner, would do the best for him and the horses.

"Robert was a true visionary whose large-scale investment in the best American-bred yearlings in the 70s was one of the principal factors in establishing Ireland and Coolmore as major forces in the bloodstock world.

"His knowledge of bloodstock was extensive and professional and it was helpful to get his opinion on all aspects of horse management, training and breeding."

Sangster and O'Brien enjoyed many big-race successes together, with the likes of Alleged, who won the Arc for two successive years, 2000 Guineas and Irish Derby winner El Gran Senor, and Sadler's Wells, who won the Eclipse and Irish Champion Stakes before going on to be a great stallion.

"We shared some great memories over the years with horses like The Minstrel, Alleged, El Gran Senor, Sadler's Wells and Golden Fleece and I cannot think of anybody with whom I would rather have shared them. Robert also provided our son David with his first Classic success when Assert won both the French and Irish Derbys," O'Brien added.

"A wonderful character who enjoyed life to the full, he will be sorely missed by everyone who was fortunate enough to have known him. Our thoughts are with his sorrowing family."

Lester Piggott was on board for many of those big winners, and the former champion jockey said: "It's a very sad day and the end of an era.

"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."

Pat Eddery, who succeeded Piggott on the Ballydoyle horses at the end of the 1980 season, said: "It's terrible news, it's just so sad. He's been a great friend for years and I've ridden some great winners for him. He was one of the nicest people I've ever met.

"He's done so much for racing. I was very fortunate that I rode for him for many years and he was always a gentleman to ride for.

"My first big winner for him was Detroit in the Arc, then Golden Fleece winning the Derby, El Gran Senor - he was a real good horse - and Lomond in the Guineas.

"Not only was he a great owner to ride for but he was also a great friend. He was always very good to me."

Another top jockey who owed a lot to Sangster was Steve Cauthen.

Speaking from his American home, he said: "I have got a lot to be thankful to Robert for. He brought me to Europe and we had a lot of fun and success together.

"He was a great guy to work with and to work for. He cared a lot about the people that were involved in his inner circle and had a lot of good fiends - he was a great man.

"One of my great memories was winning the Gold Cup on Gildoran. That was a highlight, but Robert enjoyed a good punt and we had big wins in the Extel Stakes and the Cambridgeshire.

"He enjoyed the people in racing and loved the game."

Sangster was born in Merseyside on May 23, 1936, and inherited the Vernons football pools company from his father. He sold it for £90million in 1988.

He dominated both the racing and breeding worlds through the late 70s and early 80s. The triumvirate Sangster formed with O'Brien and stud boss John Magnier left a legacy that exists to this day, with the Coolmore operation pre-eminent in the world of breeding.

Sangster signed up champion National Hunt trainer Michael Dickinson to rebuild Manton in Wiltshire as a Flat racing establishment in the autumn of 1984.

The partnership did not work, but they remained friends and Sangster sent horses to Dickinson when he moved to America to train.

Said Dickinson: "I was very sorry to hear of Robert's death. I really enjoyed my time working for him.

"The last time I saw him was last September at the Keeneland September Sales, where we had a good laugh and great banter.

"Robert will leave an indelible mark on the Flat racing scene around the world."

John Gosden is the current occupant at Manton and he also gave Sangster a big-race success in 1984 when Royal Heroine won the Breeders' Cup Mile.

The trainer said: "Robert Sangster was the foremost international owner and breeder of his era. From the mid 70s and throughout the early 80s he controlled the most powerful stables in England, Ireland, France, the United States and Australia.

"He lit the torch for others to follow. With Vincent O'Brien and John Magnier he internationalised sales, racing and breeding.

"On top of all those achievements he was an extremely kind and generous-hearted man."

Peter Chapple-Hyam, another who trained at Manton, added his own tribute to Sangster.

Chapple-Hyam said: "If it wasn't for Robert Sangster I would not be training and I owe him everything.

"It's important to recognise what he did for racing as an industry, without which it wouldn't be in nearly as good a state as it is right now. I will miss him a lot."

Chapple-Hyam repaid Sangster's faith by winning the 2000 Guineas for him with Rodrigo de Triano in 1992, as well as the Irish equivalent with Turtle Island two years later, among others.

He added: "There was also Dr Devious, who provided me with my biggest success (in the 1992 Derby). Robert owned him at the beginning and he won in his colours first time out at Newbury."

John Reid partnered Sangster's Classic and Pattern winners in what the Ulsterman described as "a golden era" with Chapple-Hyam.

He said: "When Robert employed Peter to operate from Manton it marked a huge revival in his fortunes lasting several years and he enjoyed it enormously.

"He loved the crack, loved the winners and loved the buzz which racing gave him. He was a fantastic sportsman and never shrank from his commitment."

Irish trainer Tommy Stack, who saddled Sangster's Las Meninas to win the 1000 Guineas in 1994, said: "I've known Robert for a long time. He was a marvellous man whether it be success or failure - he never changed.

"He will be sorely missed and my deepest sympathy goes out to all his family."

Chairman of Haydock Bill Whittle, who joined the track's board on the same day as Sangster, said: "I am greatly saddened by the news. He was hugely supportive and generous towards Haydock and was instrumental in giving the Sprint Cup the status it enjoys today. He will be a great loss to racing."

Sangster was also a supporter of Chester racecourse, and chairman Bobby McAlpine said: "Robert continued to steward at Chester until the late 80s, when the Jockey Club felt his bloodstock interests made it difficult for him to steward.

"He was a great supporter of Chester, never missing a May meeting and insisting his trainers ran horses at the meeting. He will be sadly missed by all of us at Chester."

Racing's administrators also paid their tributes.

British Horseracing Board chairman Peter Savill said: "Robert was a truly special man - wonderfully generous and gentle, a lover of the good things in life and a wicked storyteller.

"Whether as a partner in golf or horses he was forever easy-going, sporting and fun. A chapter in racing's history has sadly closed."

Greg Nichols, the BHB chief executive and previously general manager for Racing Victoria in Australia, said: "Robert Sangster was not only a doyen of British racing and breeding but a trailblazer for the sport in Australia, which he helped to revolutionise and elevate.

"He initiated the concept of shuttle stallions and also won many top races in Australia, including the Melbourne Cup. He was a statesman of international racing and breeding and will be missed greatly."

Julian Richmond-Watson, senior steward of the Jockey Club, said: "It's hard to think of another individual who can match Robert Sangster's influence on thoroughbred racing and breeding across the globe.

"He was a pioneer who loved the sport. His passion for racing and determination to try new ideas knew no bounds. His legacy will undoubtedly live on, but he will be much missed from Flemington in Melbourne to Hollywood Park in California and, of course, Epsom in June."

As well as being involved with Coolmore, Sangster had his own breeding interests in Britain with the Swettenham Stud in Wiltshire.

He also owned the Longfield Stud in Cashel, Ireland, and the Collingrove Stud, which has sites in both Victoria and New South Wales in Australia.

Sangster had strong connections to Australian racing and he landed his first major race of many there when he won the 1980 Melbourne Cup with Beldale Ball.