Oisín Murphy

Oisín Murphy’s Origin Story

Premature at birth, Oisín Murphy’s early life was steeped in adversity, but from a young age, he found a connection with horses that proved transformative – first through showjumping, then through a deeper passion for racing.

He began riding ponies at age four and was soon competing successfully in showjumping, before the pull of racing took over. Summers with Aidan O’Brien, work riding Derby winner Ruler Of The World, and early exposure through his uncle Jim Culloty (a Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer and rider and Grand National-winning jockey) gave Murphy a foundation of which not many young riders could dream. At just 18, he exploded onto the scene in Britain, claiming Champion Apprentice honours in 2014 and his first Group winner the same year.

By his early 20s, he was retained rider for Qatar Racing, landing his first Classic on Kameko in the 2020 2000 Guineas, and building a remarkable record that includes over 30 Group 1 wins and four British Champion Jockey titles (2019, 2020, 2021, 2024).

But Murphy’s rise hasn’t come without turbulence. A string of disciplinary issues and personal battles – including alcohol addiction and high-profile bans – has paused his career.

What are Oisín Murphy’s strengths as a jockey?

At his core, Murphy is a rider of instinctive brilliance, combining natural feel with a deep tactical awareness. Horses respond to him – not just because of his hands, but because of how he reads the rhythm of a race and understands each track’s idiosyncrasies. He’s adept on front-runners and equally patient when it counts, known for his coolness under pressure and ability to deliver horses late.

Oisín Murphy controversy

A British Horseracing Authority (BHA) independent disciplinary panel banned Murphy for 14 months in February 2022 (backdated to December 2021) until February 2023, over five charges. Those included two failed race day alcohol tests in May and October 2021, as well as misleading BHA officials during the Covid restrictions of 2020, claiming he was on holiday in Italy when he was on the ‘red listed’ Greek island of Mykonos. The BHA attached conditions to his licence.

In August 2024, Murphy missed his rides at Kempton Park on a day he was scheduled to have a mandatory breath test. He took to the social media platform X to explain that he had not taken up his riding engagements because he was suffering with haemorrhoids.

In July 2025, he left Reading Magistrates Court with a 20-month driving ban and a £70,000 fine as the result of a car crash in which his passenger was injured and he was found to be almost twice the legal drink-drive limit. The BHA added “new conditions” to his jockey licence.
 

Murphy has also fallen foul of the French authorities. In November 2020, France Galop gave him a three-month suspension after he tested positive for cocaine pre-racing at Chantilly that July. He successfully contested that he had not taken cocaine, rather “environment contamination” had occurred as a result of sexual intercourse with a cocaine user.

Oisín Murphy’s Biggest Career Win

Murphy enjoyed a remarkable association with Roaring Lion and the John Gosden-trained superstar’s devastating win in the Juddmonte International in 2018 remains his biggest success.

After a neck win over Saxon Warrior in the Coral-Eclipse in July, Roaring Lion exploded on the Knavesmire to put three and a quarter lengths between himself and runner-up Poet’s Word. The late son of Kitten’s Joy proceeded to record narrow successes in the Irish Champion Stakes – which Murphy himself considers his “best moment in racing so far” – and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Champions Day.

Did You Know

Murphy initially dreamed of pursuing a career in showjumping and continues to spend plenty of time outside of racing in the showjumping arena. He is widely considered the consummate horseman, as comfortable on horseback down Ascot’s long straight as he is on the showground or hunting in Leicestershire. He also made his debut under rules in the National Hunt sphere on December 26, 2024 riding over hurdles at Wincanton.

Who Is The Best Horse Oisín Murphy Has Ridden?

Roaring Lion is the horse that elevated Murphy to the top tier and his record says he’s the best. Shortly after Qatar Racing’s grey colt emerged as a high-class two-year-old with a win in the G2 Royal Lodge, the rider had his first Group 1 win aboard Aclaim in the Prix de la Foret at Longchamp, followed soon after by Blond Me’s G1 EP Taylor Stakes win at Woodbine; Benbatl’s G1 Dubai Turf score followed in March 2018. But that season was the real breakthrough as he guided the John Gosden-trained Roaring Lion to wins in the G2 Dante Stakes, G1 Eclipse Stakes, G1 Juddmonte International Stakes, G1 Irish Champion Stakes and G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

Oisín Murphy’s association with trainer Andrew Balding

Murphy has won more than 450 races for trainer Andrew Balding, which is more than four times his tally for any other trainer. His connection to Balding’s Kingsclere Stables goes back to his days as the stable’s apprentice, winning the British champion apprentice title in 2014.

Oisín Murphy riding in Japan

Murphy hasn’t ridden in Japan on a regular basis since 2020 but he has won big races in Japan and feature races abroad on Japanese horses. He has won 68 races in Japan, most notably the 2019 Japan Cup on Suave Richard. Internationally, he partnered Byzantine Dream to win the G2 Red Sea Turf Handicap in Saudi Arabia and the G2 Prix Foy in France. His off-track controversies have likely counted against him when it comes to applications for short-term JRA stints. 

Oisín Murphy quote

“It was a nightmare, particularly for everyone involved, not just myself, but the people who had to pick up the pieces and my support network. Time is a great healer but I won’t be forgetting about that mistake,” Murphy to Sky Sports Racing in his first public comments after pleading guilty to a drink-driving charge.