The horseracing owner who transformed Brighton racecourse has died from cancer.

Sir Stanley Clarke, a self-made millionaire and owner of the 1997 Grand National winner Lord Gyllene, invested £5 million to renovate the course.

The founder and president of Northern Racing died yesterday, aged 71, at his home in Barton-under-Needwood, Staffordshire. Tributes were paid by former colleagues and family members.

Northern Racing began operating Brighton racecourse in 1998. The fortunes of the ailing sporting venue were transformed in the first three years with crowds at today's races reaching 5,000.

The improvements were driven by customer service, including better facilities, higher quality racing and more prize money.

Sir Stanley also staged the first gay race day at Brighton and the three-day August Festival was revived this year.

Simon Clarke, his son and deputy chairman of Northern Racing, said: "My father was a powerful and charismatic man, who will be dearly missed by his family and his many friends."

Phil Bell, Brighton racecourse manager, said: "Sir Stanley was a fantastic guy to work for - he had vision and drive. Brighton was a ramshackle, rundown course which had a poor reputation but with his energy and investment it was shaken up. He was passionate about his racing and business and wanted to get Brighton back on its feet."

Ken Bodfish, leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, sits on the racecourse board and was "deeply saddened" by Sir Stanley's death. He said: "He made a significant contribution to our city.

"The partnership the council had with his company without doubt turned the racecourse around. He was a forthright and very savvy and clever man, idiosyncratic in his approach but always very honest."

Northern Racing also owns Fontwell Park, near Arundel.

Sir Stanley, who started work as a plumber, was a member of the Jockey Club and a board member of the Racecourse Association for more than ten years. He was awarded a CBE in 1990 and a knighthood in 2001.

He is survived by his widow, Lady Hilda, and four children.