JIMMY Hayes, one of the betting ring’s most cherished characters, died on Friday morning following a fall at Tipperary Racecourse the previous evening. He was 74. From Fethard in Co Tipperary, he was still active in the ring up to his final moments.
Ray Mulvaney, chairman of the Irish Independent Bookmakers Association, said: “You couldn’t meet a nicer man than Jimmy.
“He was always very good to me and a dear friend.
“He started out in the 1970s working alongside J.P. McManus.
“Jimmy was held in high regard in racing circles in Ireland and Britian. He was a true gentleman who served the bookmaking community extremely well all his life.
“A legend in our game, he will be sadly missed.
“We extend our deepest sympathies at this time to Sally, Richard, Jane and Niall. May he rest in peace.”
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