REDCAR Racecourse has joined the widespread tributes to Sir Michael Stoute after he announced this will be his last season.

The legendary trainer, 78, is one of the great figures of racing, having trained six Derby winners, including the mighty Shergar in 1981. He also trained many other memorable horses such as Shareef Dancer, Harbinger, Zilzal and Workforce.

Announcing that he would stop training at the end of the season, the 10-time champion trainer said: "It has been a great and enjoyable journey."

Sir Michael often sent horses to Redcar, with the highlight coming in 2009 when My Kingdom of Fife, ridden by Ryan Moore, won the Zetland Gold Cup for The Queen.

The Newmarket maestro's last winner at Redcar was Red Pixie, ridden by PJ McDonald in the famous Juddmonte colours, in the Woodsmith Construction Group Fillies' Handicap on July 31 this year.

Redcar's general manager Amy Fair said: "It was always an honour to have a Sir Michael Stoute runner at Redcar. His name lit up the racecard, and he will be remembered as a true racing great, with horses that will live long in the memory of racing fans.

"We hope there's still time for more runners, trained by Sir Michael, to run at Redcar before the end of his final season.

• The picture shows Sir Michael Stoute's Red Pixie in the winner's enclosure at Redcar in July