David Power, the co-founder of Paddy Power, has passed away at the age of 77.  Tributes have been paid to the patriarchal figurehead of the company. 

Renowned trainer Eddie Lynam described Power as "a pure gentleman" and "king of the ring,"  praising his pleasant demeanour and loyalty. 

Power co-founded Paddy Power, one of the world's largest betting and casino sites, in 1988. He began his career in the betting industry in 1970, working for Richard Power before merging his business with Stewart Kenny and John Corcoran. 

In addition to his success in the betting industry, Power also had a passion for horse racing. His family had a string of successful horses, including Sole Power, a top-class sprinter, and Slade Power, which won the Diamond Jubilee Stakes and July Cup in 2014. 

David Power was born into a family with a long history in the gambling industry, Power's grandfather, Richard Power, began taking bets at the races in 1896. 

After his father's premature death, Power's 16-year-old son inherited the business and went on to merge it with other betting chains to form Paddy Power in 1988.  

Under Power's guidance, Paddy Power expanded rapidly, eventually going public in 2000. 

The company's innovative and often controversial advertising campaigns helped attract international attention and set it apart from other bookmakers. By the time it merged with Betfair in 2016, Paddy Power had grown into one of Ireland's most successful companies, with a global presence and a reputation for bold marketing.  

Power's own interest in the business was valued at around €400 million just a few years ago. His son, also named Paddy, joined the company straight out of college and was responsible for some of its most memorable advertising campaigns.  

David Power himself remained involved in the business until his retirement in 2018, despite suffering a medical emergency in 2013 that led to his heart being restarted.  

In addition to his work as a bookmaker, Power was also a successful racehorse owner and had many winners over the years. He leaves behind his wife Sabena, and four children.