Former leading Sydney trainer Paul Sutherland has died in Queensland, aged 71, after a short illness.

Sutherland was at his peak in the 1980s and 1990s with horses such as the champion Red Anchor (later trained by Tommy Smith), the Epsom winner Sound Horizon, weight-for-age star Wong and smart sprinter Royal Troubador.

He finished second to Brian Mayfield Smith in the 1986-87 Sydney premiership.

He quit Sydney racing in 2008, moving to Beerwah, near the Sunshine Coast, where he had a few runners until retiring full-time recently.

Bernadette Cooper, a former jockey and now Sky Channel commentator, said Sutherland had taken ill last week and died in hospital on Monday.

"I had a lot of luck with Paul when I rode for him in Brisbane and Sydney. One of my Group wins for him was aboard his horse The Man in the JRA Cup," Cooper said.

"Paul always stuck by me and he should be remembered as one of the top trainers of the past 50 years."

Sutherland is survived by his partner, Libby, son Steven and daughter Katherine.

His former wife Sue said Sutherland had recently enjoyed becoming a grandfather.

"Our daughter Katherine has just had a baby boy (Sean) and Paul was ecstatic about his new grandson," she said.

Racing NSW chief executive Peter V'landys said Sutherland would be remembered for his character as well as his training skills.

"Paul was a loveable character with a great sense of humour and extremely popular amongst his peers," V'landys said.

Sutherland's funeral will be held at the Sunshine Coast with details expected to be finalised on Tuesday.

NOTABLE HORSES TRAINED BY PAUL SUTHERLAND

* Epsom Handicap winner Sound Horizon

* Red Anchor

* Tross

* Royal Troubador

* Wong