Presvis, the leading British-trained money-earner of all time, on Wednesday afternoon died from colic at his retirement home in Normandy.

The much-travelled eight-year-old, trained in Newmarket by Luca Cumani, signed off from racing this spring having earned over 4.3 million pounds in prize money.

He was twice a winner at the top level, having struck in the QE II Cup at Sha Tin in April 2009 and in the Dubai Duty Free at Meydan last March.

A statement posted on Cumani's website, www.lucacumani.com, read: "He was a great favourite over the years, both here and abroad with a big fan club.

"And though ever more eccentric as he got older, and not the force he was this year that he was last, he still ended his career having won the most amount of prize money ever by a British-trained racehorse which is a record that seems sure to stand for many years yet."

Presvis was a renowned hold-up performer and won eight races, seven of which under Ryan Moore, from 28 starts.