He was also closely involved with horse racing. He owned a horse named Tirol who recorded a Classic double in 1990, winning the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket when ridden by Mick Kinane before going on to win the Irish equivalent at the Curragh when partnered by Pat Eddery.

The horse’s name lives on in the Tirol Avenue houses at Maryborough Hill in Cork which were developed by the businessman and builder. 

The Irish Examiner reported in 2014 that: “Tirol Avenue, in the Paddocks scheme on Maryborough Hill, got its name from its developers’ interest in horse racing.” 

His brother Jim Horgan had similar success with another racehorse Don’t Forget Me in the late 1980s.

Mr Horgan was the beloved husband of Liz, loving father of Johnny, Susie, Peter, Sarah and the late Lisa, as well as an adored grandfather of Emily, Chloe, Alice, Scarlett, Zach, Nicholas and Ralph, his funeral notice said.

He died peacefully at the Bon Secours Hospital in Cork.

He is also mourned by his wider family and friends including his sister Jill, brothers Jim, Billy, Roy, Michael, Philip and Peter.

The notice also advises the reposal is at the Temple Hill Funeral Home, Boreenmanna Road on Monday from 5pm to 6pm. This will be followed by a funeral mass on Tuesday December 31 at 11am in St. Columba’s Church, Douglas.

Sympathies were expressed throughout the evening on Saturday to the family by those sharing warm memories and sympathies on the Rip.ie condolence book.