RACING has been plunged into mourning after the death of legendary punter Johnny ‘Lights’ Hurndall at 74.
The pro bettor was said to be one of the biggest in Britain at his peak but sadly passed from ill health earlier this month.
Racing remembers a legend of the sport in Johnny ‘Lights’ Hurndall – one of the biggest punters ever
Described as ‘fearless’ and a ‘special fella’, Johnny Lights as he was known bashed bookies from one end of the country to the other.
He was feared in the betting ring and was said to have pioneered in-running betting by literally shouting to bookies during races.
Hurndall was at the centre of an iconic period of racing and betting, famed for characters with names like something out of a film.
One Guardian article referred to Hurndall plying his trade alongside the likes of Jimmy the Wig, Tony the Hat and the Dodger.
He later took to laying horses in the ring before suffering health complications.
Hurndall died at Epsom Hospital on March 10, but was still giving interviews from his bed just two months before.
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Remembering her father, daughter Vanessa told the Racing Post: “He played such a huge part in our lives.
“He was full of life, loved to gamble from an early age and was just good at what he did. He was very successful.”
Fellow pro punter Steve Lewis Hamilton said: “I knew Lights for 35 years.
“I was only on the track for a couple of weeks and I remember him approaching me at Sandown and he just came and said to me, ‘I’ll give you a couple of hundred quid a day to mark my card’.
“All of a sudden, what I was earning in a week I was getting a day off of him.
“Even in later years we still spoke every day. He would call and I’d run through the card with him, and even when he was really poorly he’d call to ask if we were having a bet.
“His wife Megan said that even with all the medication he was on, the best drug he had was backing a winner.
“He was a great character and I miss not speaking to him.”
The late Hurndall is survived by Megan, daughters Lisa and Vanessa, and grandchildren Ellie and Sam.
His funeral will be held at 11.30am on April 1 at GreenAcres Kemnal Park in Chislehurst.