IRISH racing lost one of its very special characters this week with the passing of Johnny Kierans, racegoer, owner and founder of Anglo Printers, the company which prints racecards for the majority of Irish racecourses.

The 80-year-old Drogheda man had major surgery recently which appeared to go well but a complication afterwards led to him suffering a stroke and his condition deteriorated quickly.

His son Pádraic said: “It was all very sudden but, in one way, we were spared seeing him fade over a long period, which he would have hated. Dad was a gregarious, fun-loving, family man. He was a man of great faith, a Pioneer who never touched a drop, and he loved meeting and talking to people. He had been cocooning, which he found hard to do, and he loved nothing more than reading The Irish Field every weekend.”

Among his many friends in racing were jockeys, trainers, owners, Tote personnel, bookmakers, HRI and racecourse officials.

In 1983 Johnny left the Drogheda Independent and, with Brendan Kelly (brother of the late trainer Barry Kelly) established Elite Print, which became Anglo in 1987. Leopardstown Racecourse was their first racing client.

Johnny was a huge racing fan himself and lived for his annual pilgrimage to Cheltenham. He also attended six Breeders’ Cups across America.

He had horses in training with John Joe Walsh in Doneraile, the most successful being Jack Absolute, winner of eight races including the Grade B Tim Duggan Chase at Limerick’s Christmas Festival. The Kilburn King was another prolific winner and he was looking forward to racing Carmel’s Gift, which he received as a present from his wife for his 80th birthday.

Two Listowel men no longer with us, Brendan Daly and Liam Healy, were also close friends. Anglo still produces the Irish Racing Calendar in association with Healy Racing.

He attended Bellewstown for 75 years in a row and the day he had lunch there with Lester Piggott was a special occasion.

Among those who sympathised with the Kierans family this week was Horse Racing Ireland chief executive Brian Kavanagh, who recalled that Johnny was never afraid to tell him what he was doing wrong!

Pádraic added: “We will remember with fondness the rows, the hugs, the ambition, the disappointments, the determination, the insults and of course the tips – in racing and in life.”

Johnny Kierans is survived by he wife Carmel, their seven children and 19 grandchildren, and a large circle of neighbours and friends, including many in racing.