Tipperary trainer banned

The Co Tipperary trainer Michael Byrne has been warned off Ireland's racetracks until at least next August after being found guilty of running the racehorse Rhythm Returns under another name at the Dingle pony races last year.

Rhythm Returns ran under the name of Errismore at the famous Dingle races in August 2004, just two months before he won a mile maiden under his real name at Cork racecourse.

Dingle is one of the "unrecognised meetings" or "flaps" that are out of bounds to racing professionals in anything other than a spectator capacity. But yesterday's Turf Club hearing, which made Byrne a disqualified person until August 1st, 2006, is just the latest in a number of incidents where thoroughbreds have been caught out competing at pony level.

As well as being made a disqualified person, with the stewards advised not to consider lifting the ban until at least next August, Byrne was fined €1,000 towards the cost of the appeals and referrals committee hearing.

Rhythm Returns had a 21-race career on the racecourse with his sole victory coming at Cork in October of last year. That was one of three post-Dingle contests he ran in and the horse has been disqualified from all three.

Rhythm Returns has also been banned from running on the racecourse again.