Former jockey and John Gosden work rider Maurizio Vargiu dies at the age of 48

Maurizio Vargiu was remembered as a “popular” figure with “the biggest, most genuine smile” after the former rider died at the age of 48.

Vargiu rode over 1,200 winners in Italy, including landing the Group 2 Premio Guido Berardelli on Special Nash, the Group 2 Premio Ribot on Taxi De Nuit and the Listed Premio Roma Vecchia on Roy in the 1990s.

After retiring from riding in 2013, Vargiu worked as a work rider in France before joining Charlie Appleby and then John Gosden at Clarehaven Stables in Newmarket.

Gosden said: “Maurizio was a popular and much liked member of our staff, a very talented rider and a very nice person.

“He was on holiday, and this has obviously come as a shock to his family, friends and associates. We are helping and supporting his family and understand the need for their privacy at this very tragic and sad time.”

Vargiu looked after numerous talented horses for Gosden, most notably Without Parole, who landed the 2018 Group 1 St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot when the groom received a memento for the victory from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Tanya Gunther, co-breeder and co-owner of Without Parole, wrote on Twitter: “He was such a nice person. He was so very proud of Without Parole when he won the St James’s Palace.

“Such a thrill we shared that day. And he had the biggest, most genuine smile. What a huge loss. Such terrible news.”

Vargiu leaves his wife Stefania and daughter Sarah, with police not treating his death as suspicious.