Byrnes cleared of running horse at unrecognised meeting in Dingle

TRAINER Charles Byrnes was exonerated by Appeals and Referrals Committee at the Curragh yesterday over the running of Ballygowan Beauty in unrecognised race meetings.

The inquiry was held after investigations carried out by security officers concerning meetings at Dingle on August 11 and 12, 2002, when the horse ran under the name of Bog Road. Evidence was heard from Byrnes, the former trainer of Ballygowan Beauty, and Charles O’Brien, husband of former owner Carmel O’Brien.

The committee found that Byrnes did not train Ballygowan Beauty when he took part in the unrecognised meetings. But they found him in breach of rule for failing to take the horse out of training until August 21 2002, the horse having left his care on July 29. He was severely cautioned.