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Echuca trainer Daryl Archard has died following a battle with illness.

Respected Echuca-based horseman Daryl Archard who had held a trainers' licence for more than 45 years, has died. 

The 68-year-old died on Thursday following a long illness. 

Archard took out his licence in 1977 and trained over 200 winners with the majority across country Victoria and New South Wales. 

His best horse was Section that reached a rating of 113 and won the JRA Cup (2040m) at Moonee Valley along with the Benalla Cup and Swan Hill Cup in the 1990's. 

More recently Archard had success with Leveraction in the metropolitan area while that horse also gave him victory in his hometown Cup in 2016. 

Archard's final winner was in April when Vandelle scored at Kyneton with Tom Prebble in the saddle. 

RV Chief Executive Andrew Jones said in a statement that Archard would deeply missed. 

"Daryl was a popular member of the Echuca training community where his son Rhys carries on the family name as a licensed trainer," Jones said. 

"We know Daryl will be deeply missed by his family and all in racing who knew him over a career that spanned more than 45 years as a trainer in Victoria."