Oisin Murphy is free to continue riding but could have “new conditions” on his jockey licence after he left Reading Magistrates Court on Thursday afternoon with a 20-month driving ban and a £70,000 fine.
Britain’s four-time champion jockey pleaded guilty at the 2pm hearing to driving when intoxicated. The court heard that a test taken at Reading police station several hours after the incident on April 27 showed his alcohol to blood level to be 66mg per 100ml, almost twice the legal limit.
Murphy, 29, had been charged by postal requisition during the week of Royal Ascot with the crimes of driving a motor vehicle when over the legal alcohol limit and failing to co-operate with a preliminary test. The prosecution dropped the latter charge
Thames Valley Police found Murphy intoxicated and on the phone at the scene of a single vehicle accident shortly after midnight in Hermitage, Berkshire. The grey Mercedes A Class had crashed into a tree and a female passenger, the vehicle’s owner, was on the ground.
Murphy’s 20-month ban – the minimum ban for the offence is 12 months – could be reduced if he completes a drink driving remedial course.
The jockey offered an apology through his barrister Alex Di Francesco, to the passenger, to the public, and to the people he works with.
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) issued a statement after the hearing – at 3.30pm – in which it expressed “disappointment” at the details of the “very serious offence” which jeopardised his and others’ safety.
The statement continued: “His conduct fell a long way short of the standard we expect of all licensed individuals, in whom we place trust that they will represent our sport to the best of their abilities, upholding our collective reputation and ensuring racing is a safe place for all.”
The BHA said it will work “on the addition of new conditions on his licence that may be referred to the Licensing Committee for their consideration. As has been the case in recent weeks, Mr Murphy remains free to take up his riding engagements.”
The statement ended: “We will issue an update on this process in due course and will be making no further comment at this time.”
In February 2022 a BHA independent disciplinary panel banned Murphy for 14 months over five charges that included two failed race day alcohol tests.
Upon his relicensing in February 2023, the regulatory authority laid down conditions that included “the need for Mr Murphy to remain sober and avoid the use of any illicit substances or social drugs.”
He was to be “subject to an enhanced testing regime” which involved racecourse testing as well as random testing of hair samples, and was to report on a regular basis with the BHA’s chief medical officer Dr Jerry Hill. Those conditions were to be reviewed in February 2024. ∎
