Robert Tyner's time in the training ranks drawing to a close

Robert Tyner has cited rising costs and labour shortages as key factors in hastening the end of his training career.

Tyner has sent out 246 winners under Rules from his Kinsale base in a career spanning 33 years, but is arguably better known for his success between the flags in the point-to-point sphere.

The family suffered a devastating blow in 2011 when their only son, Jack, died after suffering a fall at a Dungarvan point-to-point meeting.

Last season, Tyner saddled 18 winners, but personnel issues and the challenges of an inflationary world have placed an onerous workload on the handler and his wife Mary.

The 60-year-old, who has yet to decide on an official retirement date, told the Racing Post: "There's a shortage of staff and the costs are going up, but to be honest, I'm just tired. We both are.

"Myself and Mary are probably doing too much of it ourselves. We've always been hands-on, and we're burnt out from working harder than we ever have before.

"Staff these days are hard to find and hard to keep, so we're riding out every lot and still driving all over the country. We are lucky to have the help of our own girls at the weekend and going racing, but it's a hard life so we decided to stop."

Tyner has enjoyed fruitful partnerships with both Phillip Enright and leading amateur Derek O'Connor, and paid tribute to both riders.

"Phillip was a big cog in the wheel here," he added.

"He's a very good rider and a great judge whose feedback was excellent, and we were lucky to be associated with Derek in the point-to-points. They are both great men to have on your side."

The Tyners are considering opening their gallops to the public or renting out their yard after sending out their final runners.