Popular bookmaker Roger Smith dies at the age of 79

Roger Smith, one of the pioneers of credit bookmaking in the era following the legalisation of high street betting shops, has died at the age of 79.

Smith began his career as a layer at the age of 15 and after running his own firm, set up a credit business for rails bookmakers Turner and Kendrick.

For a period the company was among the dominant credit firms although Smith himself admitted he was slow to see the rise of retail betting shops.

Citing the increased demands of evening and Sunday meetings on a business he felt still required the personal touch, Smith retired from Turner and Kendrick in 2003, with the firm eventually being sold to Star Sports.

"It's just sad that people who are not racing people have brought it about to have racing seven days a week," he said at the time. "The days when a man sat down with his wife and kids for Sunday lunch have gone by the wayside."

Smith's greatest day in racing outside of his business interests came as an owner when the Martin Tate-trained Rogers Princess won the 1989 Coral Golden Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

The commentary of that great triumph will be played at his funeral service, which will take place on December 23 at Holy Cross Church in Burley-on-the-Hill in Leicestershire, LE15 7SU, to be followed by a reception at the Admiral Hornblower pub in nearby Oakham.