Jarvis is much respected by his Newmarket colleagues

Top Newmarket trainer Michael Jarvis is to retire aged 72 on health grounds.

Jarvis, who has undergone heart surgery and been treated for prostate cancer in recent years, will hand over to his assistant Roger Varian in March.

In a 43-year career, the trainer guided Carroll House to victory in the 1989 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and landed the 2005 Epsom Oaks with Eswarah.

Royal Ascot winner Rakti, who also won the Champion Stakes and Lockinge Stakes, was among his top-class horses.

"I have had a good innings and I suppose Rakti would possibly be the most talented horse I have trained but we have had some good ones," Jarvis told the Racing Post.

Varian, who has been assistant to Jarvis for 10 years, said he had been left in a privileged position.

"Obviously it is in sad circumstances that I'm taking the reins and I wish things were different in that sense, but this is something I've always wanted to do and it's been an ambition for a long time," he said.

"It's an unbelievable opportunity and I'm very grateful for the support Michael has given me and the support our owners have given me.

"I've learned an awful lot off arguably one of the best trainers there's been."

Among those to pay tribute to Jarvis was fellow trainer Roger Charlton, winner of the 1990 Epsom Derby with Quest for Fame.

"I have the greatest respect for him, polite, clever, successful and kind," he said on social networking site Twitter.

Ed Dunlop, winner of the Oaks with Ouija Board and Snow Fairy, said he was "one of my heroes, a true gent and a great trainer."

Leading Flat trainer Richard Fahey added: "Sorry to here Michael Jarvis is forced to retire, a true gentleman and in the A-list of trainers. Let's hope he gets better soon."

Jarvis trained numerous Group One winners and was among the first British trainers to aim his horses at lucrative races in France, Germany and Italy.

He was successful in big handicap races at home, twice winning the Ebor, Northumberland Plate, Wokingham and Chester Cup.

His first domestic Classic triumph came courtesy of Ameerat in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket in 2001.

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