'A true gentleman' - tributes paid to former Turf Club chief Cahir O'Sullivan

Willie Mullins, Brian Kavanagh and Denis Egan led the tributes to former Turf Club chief executive Cahir O'Sullivan, who died on Tuesday at the age of 86.

O'Sullivan was chief of Irish racing's regulatory body from 1976 to 1999 and his successor Brian Kavanagh, who went on to spend 20 years at the HRI helm, paid a warm tribute on Twitter.

Kavanagh said on Tuesday evening: "Sad news today with the passing of Cahir O’Sullivan – an inspiration to so many people in Irish racing. In the words of the late Pat Smullen: “A great man, a very fair man, a hugely popular man who commanded so much respect”. Thoughts with Richard, Gordon, Jean and Yvonne. RIP."

Speaking on Wednesday, Kavanagh added: “Cahir was respected by everyone in racing, not just in Ireland, but internationally. He was tough but he was fair and I think people recognised that in him.

"He had a very human side to him and he would go behind the situation he might be dealing with and think of the people who might be involved. That’s what I will always remember about Cahir.

"He gave me my start in racing and if you talk to many other people, they will say the same thing about him. I have nothing but good things to say about Cahir. He was inspirational to a lot of people but what stands out is his fairness, his integrity and his pride in the Turf Club. Even the fact that he is still remembered so fondly is a wonderful tribute to him.”

Willie Mullins: 'Cahir was always very fair to have any dealings with.'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Mullins echoed the sentiments of Kavanagh by describing O'Sullivan as a thoroughly fair man.

The champion trainer said: “I was sorry to see Cahir pass away. I had a lot of dealings with Cahir as a rider, trainer and owner through the years and he was always very fair to have any dealings with. Cahir always gave you the feeling that your side of the story was being listened to and adjudicated on correctly.”

Denis Egan, former chief executive of Irish racing's regulatory body, or Keeper of the Match Book as the role was known when O'Sullivan was in charge, also offered a heartfelt tribute.

He said: "Cahir was a true gentleman in every sense and a wonderful person. He was Keeper of the Match Book when I joined the Turf Club in 1995 and was a great support to me. He was always someone you could go to for advice and what he said was invariably right even though sometimes you didn't want to hear it! He was hugely respected by everyone and was a man of the highest integrity.

"He will be greatly missed by everyone in the Turf Club and the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee as well as the many staff that worked with him down through the years. My deepest sympathies go to his family."

Husband of the late Gretta, O'Sullivan is survived by his children Jean, Yvonne, Richard, and Gordon.

O'Sullivan will be reposing at his home in Moore Park, Newbridge, County Kildare, on Thursday from 4pm with prayers at 7pm (for family and close friends).

The removal will take place on Friday at 10.30am and will arrive at St. Conleth's Parish Church for Mass at 11am.

The Funeral Mass will be live streamed on .

Philippe Lafarge dies

Well-known stipendiary steward Philippe Lafarge also passed away suddenly on Wednesday morning aged 72 with Mullins describing him as the “consummate professional”.

Mullins said: “I was also very sorry to hear the sudden passing of Philippe Lafarge. He was a consummate professional in his role as a stipendiary steward and always brought great decorum and style to any official proceedings we had in the weighing room and outside of it.”