Trainer Mel Brittain dies, aged 71

Mel Brittain, best known for his training of classy sprinter Grey Desire, died peacefully on Thursday morning at his North Yorkshire home in Warthill, aged 71.

Brittain first took out a licence in 1985 and enjoyed instant success with the speedy Grey Desire, whom he also owned.

The sprinter made Brittain's red and yellow colours a popular sight, particularly on racecourses in the north.

Grey Desire won 13 of his 65 races, most notably the Duke of York Stakes at Brittain's favourite racecourse, York, as well as the Abernant and Van Geest Stakes at Newmarket, the Cammidge Trophy at Doncaster and Haydock's Fairey Spring Trophy.

The son of Habat was also second to Green Desert in the July Cup in 1986. Grey Desire was retired at the end of that season to Brittain's Northgate Lodge Stud, where he stood as a stallion.

Brittain trained many of Grey Desire's offspring, including Grey Kingdom, whose last of 11 victories came in the Ayr Silver Cup in 1999.

Among other good horses in his care were Gosforth Park Cup winner Dublin Lad and Peatswood Shooter.

Antony, who was assistant to his father, plans to take out a temporary training licence at Northgate Lodge.

Garry Marshall, who was Brittain's racing manager, said: "He was a fair, honest and genuine man.

"He pioneered horses running quickly after races - people never did it in the late 80s - and he was a man who thought outside the box with his training methods.

"He never had big-budget owners, but he loved his racing, loved his sprinters and always got the best out of them.

"He was also responsible for the early career of jockeys like David Allan and Alan Munro, many of which lost their claims with Mel.

"He was a tremendously encouraging man and a very loyal employer."