A NORTH Yorkshire horse racing trainer best known for his string of top-class sprinters, has died aged 61.

David 'Dandy' Nicholls – a former jockey who rode more than 400 winners – won the Nunthorpe Stakes, July Cup, Prix de l'Abbaye and Haydock Sprint Cup, as well as all the major sprint handicaps such as the Ayr Gold Cup, in an illustrious career.

Nicknamed the 'Sprint King', Nicholls has been responsible for such luminaries as Continent, Bahamian Pirate, Regal Parade and Ya Malak – who created his own piece of history when ridden by Nicholls' wife, Alex Greaves, as she became the first female rider to win a Group One race in Britain in 1997.

Nicholls began training in 1992 but announced his retirement in March this year citing financial problems.

Based at Tall Trees Stables near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, Nicholls went out with a winner as stable star Sovereign Debt landed a valuable race in Qatar at the end of February – the same horse won the Diomed Stakes at Epsom for his new trainer Ruth Carr on Saturday.

His son, Adrian, said: "He passed away in his sleep at home. He'd been battling a few problems of late.

"Everybody knows in racing what he did. He was a very good jockey and an even better trainer and probably an even better dad.

"His record speaks for itself. There are a few other people snapping at his heels to take the 'Sprint King' title, but they'll be doing well to do what he did."

He added: "He was good with apprentices and would always help jockeys out. There are a lot of lads who wouldn't be where they were if it wasn't for his help. He'd go out of his way to help you."

A number of racing figures have paid tribute on social media.

Jockey Tony Hamilton tweeted: "Saddened to hear the loss of Dandy Nicholls who got me started as an apprentice. RIP."

Fellow rider Chris Hayes echoed those sentiments, adding: "Very sad to hear that Dandy Nicholls has passed away. A great character and a brilliant trainer. My thoughts are with his whole family."

Another weighing room colleague George Chaloner said: "Saddened to hear the loss of Dandy Nicholls. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends."

Former champion jockey Richard Hughes said: "Dandy Nicholls RIP. Horse racing has lost a great man and trainer."

Owner Dr Marwan Koukash, who had horses with Nicholls, said : "Very sad to hear of the death of Dandy (king of sprints) Nicholls. RIP mate and many thanks for the wonderful memories."

* Nicholls had been facing a trial in August on two charges of sexual assault relating to incidents at his Tall Trees yard in Sessay, near Thirsk.