PERSIAN PUNCH 1993-2004 Owner: Jeff Smith Trainer: David Elsworth Career record: 20 wins from 63 races Total prize money: £1,008,785

Popular Flat racing horse Persian Punch has died of a suspected heart attack at Ascot racecourse.

The 11-year-old, who recently came seventh in a poll to find the most popular racehorse of all time, collapsed in front of the stands after being pulled up just before the end of a two-mile race.

In a sport in which few horses compete beyond the age of five, Persian Punch was a folk hero of Flat racing.

Last year the horse, who was trained by David Elsworth, won four races to take his winnings past the £1m mark.

His jockey Martin Dwyer said he was "absolutely gutted" while owner Jeff Smith added: "It's just absolutely devastating - just a terrible day."

Persian Punch, whose game front-running style earned him a large fan club, won 20 races during his long career.

The gelding was voted Horse of the Year by Racing Post readers after a marvellous season in 2003.

He was the most wonderful horse to train. It's so very sad Trainer David Elsworth

He gained three memorable victories by a short head, culminating in what turned out be his final triumph in the Jockey Club Cup last October.

It was his third success in the Group Three contest at Newmarket.

As well as those three narrow wins last season, he galloped his rivals into the ground in the Group Two Doncaster Cup, scoring by seven lengths.

His other big-race successes included two Goodwood Cups (2001 and 2003) and the Henry II Stakes (1997, 1998 and 2000).

He was unable to cap an illustrious career with a Group One win, but he did finish second in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in 2001 and last year.

"I think everybody loved him because he was a fighter," said Dwyer.

He never knew when he was beat and people really respected that. It's a very sad day Frankie Dettori

"He never knew when to give in. He was a great horse, even though he wasn't winning Group One races.

"He always did it the hard way, always fought back when he looked beat. He was such a brave horse. He is a great loss."

Dwyer's weighing room colleagues also paid tribute to Persian Punch.

"Nobody can describe how we are feeling. We are all devastated," said Frankie Dettori.

"I saw Martin in tears and I tried to cheer him up, but what can you say?

"Persian Punch has been a great servant for the sport with his longevity and the fact that he never ran a bad race. He had that fire in him.