Trainer Robbie Burns has cited family reasons for leaving Charles Byrnes’ Ballingarry base, with son Cathal Byrnes sending out his first runners as a trainer today at Wexford.

Byrnes senior’s license was suspended for six months, to run until September 5, due to the Viking Hoard nobbling case and while the Limerick-based trainer had found a yard replacement in Burns, that arrangement recently ended. 

Burns stated “I moved back to Westmeath a little under two months ago. There was no reason for the split with Charles only for family reasons. 

“West Limerick is a long way from my family and we’ve a nine month old baby to mind.

“My last runner Mick Spadoun is one of eight horses I have in training. I’m not overly busy and am looking for a cut in the ground to run some of my horses.”

Burns failed to register a winner in his brief spell at Ballingarry, starting in mid-March, but Byrnes’ Byrnes Bloodstock Limited won with gambled Thosedaysaregone at Dundalk on March, running for neighbouring trainer William O’Doherty. 

Trainer Byrnes’ last winner, before his suspension, was with Naas winner Light Brigade on February 28 and today his son Cathal Byrnes sends out his first runners with Sky Marshall and Turnpike Trip at Wexford.