ALL 30 branches of Hackett’s Bookmakers will remain closed today (Saturday) as a mark of respect to company founder Cyril Hackett, who died suddenly on Wednesday. He was 75.

Well known in racing and bloodstock circles, Cyril and his wife Monica owned and bred racehorses and sponsored a series of races at Kilbeggan and the Curragh in recent years.

His son John said: “It was a big shock to us all. Dad had been in good health and only recently returned from a holiday in Lanzarote. He was buying sheep at Tullamore Mart this week and had a heart-attack while driving his jeep home. Even though he was close to the hospital he could not be resuscitated.”

Cyril is survived by his wife Monica, sons John, Paul, Mark and Philip and daughter Emily. The funeral mass is at 1pm today (Saturday) in St Mary’s Church, Raheen, Geashill, Co Offaly.