LOUIS GUNNING, the doyen of Irish racing correspondents for many years, died peacefully on Wednesday afternoon in St Michael's Hospital, Dun Laoghaire, after a lengthy illness. He was 82.

Born in Co Sligo, Louis, while studying law, in which he graduated, worked as a freelance crosswords compiler for the Irish Independent. After spells in local government and with Bord Failte, he was staffed by the Irish Press and was their racing correspondent for some years.

But he will be best remembered for his 35 year stint with the Daily Express as their Irish racing correspondent. He also contributed to many papers and magazines. Louis was the best and most erudite of racing correspondents, highly respected by his readers and the racing fraternity, with whom he was ever popular.

Louis Gunning, gentleman, sportsman and raconteur, will be sadly missed by his host of friends in and out of racing and by those he helped so unstintingly.

Deep sympathy is extended to his sons, Peter, Mark, and Timmy, and to his daughters, Helen, Jennifer, Louise and Anna.