Canterbury horseman Ray Sharpe passed away this morning (Thursday) after a 15-month battle with kidney cancer.

Sharpe, 48, and his family returned to Christchurch in June after living in New York for the best part of a decade.

He trained 104 winners in North America in that time, to go with 22 wins accrued in New Zealand between 1998 and 2008.

Sharpe took a team of New Zealand horses to the USA in 2008 including open class trotter Mamalu, and the good pacers Roburascal, Spirit In My Pocket and Romantic Star.

Sharpe was a good friend of driver Anthony Butt, who took to Facebook acknowledge his passing today.

“Heaven will be a much greater place today. It has gained a legend.

“One of the truly great guys that I was lucky enough to call my friend.”