Oisin Murphy breaks silence after £70,000 drink-drive ban and jets out of Britain for huge £330,000 ride
The four-time champion jockey was given the
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Oisin Murphy has been fined £70,000 and banned from driving for 20 months but is free to continue riding - and he has a huge ride a day after his guilty plea
Credit: PA
Murphy drove his Mercedes into a tree in Hermitage, Berkshire, and left a female passenger with 'serious injuries' just after midnight on April 27.
The BHA have confirmed the 29-year-old Irishman is free to continue riding.
And he has the chance to get back almost half of his fine in one go thanks to a money-spinning ride in the US on Friday night.
Murphy heads to New York for the leg up on Qatar Racing-owned New Century in the Belmont Derby at Saratoga, where victory in the 10.45pm BST contest is worth £330,000.
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Should Murphy oblige on the well-backed 7-4 favourite he can expect roughly ten per cent of the winnings - around £30,000.
He won't spend long in the US though.
Murphy is right back into the thick of things at Sandown on Saturday for their brilliant Coral-Eclipse card.
He'll fly overnight from the States and land in time for the ride on Royal Ascot winner Adrestia in the 1.50 at the Surrey track.
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That's the first of seven rides on the day, the highlight being 2,000 Guineas winner Ruling Court in the Eclipse itself.
Murphy released a statement on X on Thursday evening after his guilty plea.
He said: "I would like to sincerely apologise for my actions.
"I know that drink driving is unacceptable and there is no excuse for what I did.
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"I have let a lot of people down.
"I particularly want to apologise to my passenger and her family.
"Due to the police investigation, I have so far been able to share only minimal details of my offence with the British Horseracing Authority.
"I will now be fully co-operative with their enquiries.
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"It would not be appropriate for me to comment further until that process is concluded."
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The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Oisin Murphy gets away with a slap on the wrist as BHA refuse to take stronger action
'HAVE you been waiting long?' Oisin Murphy seemed pretty relaxed as he greeted a group of photographers who were waiting for him to arrive at Reading Magistrates' Court on Thursday lunchtime. Advertisement 2 Oisin Murphy pleaded guilty to drink driving on Thursday Credit: PA His arrival had been signalled when his driver was spotted peering around a corner to check if the coast was clear. It wasn't. There was barely a spare seat in the public gallery as Oisin was called into Court 3, where one member of the press raised concerns to the clerk about being able to hear what was being said. 'There are microphones,' he replied. 'And there is nowhere else for you to go, unless you want to go in the dock?' While many in the racing fraternity would probably enjoy seeing journos up in front of the beak, the moment of levity lasted briefly as we were all here for a very serious reason. Advertisement Oisin only spoke to confirm details such as his name and date of birth, and to He was only breathalysed by cops SEVEN hours after the crash, and he was still nearly twice the legal limit at seven in the morning. It is unclear why he wasn't asked for a plea on the second charge — failing to provide a sample at the roadside — which was described as a 'misunderstanding' by the prosecutor Richard Atkins. The resulting sentence was a 20-month driving ban and a £70,000 fine. For a very wealthy young jockey who has his own driver, you could argue it's no more than a firm slap on the wrist. Advertisement Most read in Horse Racing I found it most surprising the BHA, bar adding some new conditions to Oisin's licence and expressing their 'disappointment', have decided to take no further action. For now, at least. As A glaring example came on last weekend's Luck On Sunday show, when Jayne McGivern, a stud owner who is overseeing a multi-million pound construction project in Saudia Arabia, gave her view. She said: 'He's a wonderful guy, an absolute superstar. Jockeys risk their lives every time they get on a horse. We can't possibly understand the pressures. Advertisement 'He has battled demons and sometimes the demons win. We need more understanding and empathy in this case for Oisin. 'It didn't happen on a racecourse or near a horse. It's his private life and it's nothing to do with us.' That, in a nutshell, is what's wrong with so many in this sport — especially racing's elite or establishment figures. They do not take it seriously, many excuse and indulge Oisin and, quite frankly, enable his destructive behaviour. Advertisement And Joe Public can't possibly criticise or comment because, well, jockeys are under pressure. Another excuse. I'm of the view that this 'nothing to see here' attitude sends a message to Oisin that he can keep pushing the limits while retaining all his privilege, which is a very dangerous place to be. So I'm not sure why the BHA felt it wasn't necessary to take firmer action — I think it's weak and I don't think it's helpful to Oisin. After all, they were the ones who put conditions on his licence in the first place when he returned from his ban in February 2023 and emphasised the strict requirement to 'remain sober'. Advertisement There are plenty of examples out there of tough BHA action but here is one I thought I'd share, for all it's not a perfect comparison. In 2020, they banned conditional jockey Callum McKinnes for 56 days for a riding offence which the judicial panel said brought racing 'into disrepute'. He was riding a 150-1 shot at Hereford that finished a distant fifth, but they reckon he 'should have finished fourth'. So not riding with enough vigour to finish fourth on a rank outsider is considered disreputable, but crashing a car while carrying a passenger and nearly twice the drink-drive limit isn't? Hmm. 2 The man who took photos of Oisin in court reacts angrily to photographers in Reading Advertisement The drama continued after Oisin had left to fly to the US. A member of the public had taken photos of him in court and was hauled into the dock Oisin had just been occupying, given a severe bollocking by the judge and threatened with arrest. What a circus — which is pretty apt considering the last few years of Oisin's turbulent career. FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Read more on the Irish Sun Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here. Advertisement
The Irish Sun
10 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Oisin Murphy breaks silence after £70,000 drink-drive ban and jets out of Britain for huge £330,000 ride
OISIN MURPHY is jetting out of Britain a day after his £70,000 drink-drive ban and grovelling apology for a late night car crash. The four-time champion jockey was given the Advertisement 1 Oisin Murphy has been fined £70,000 and banned from driving for 20 months but is free to continue riding - and he has a huge ride a day after his guilty plea Credit: PA Murphy drove his Mercedes into a tree in Hermitage, Berkshire, and left a female passenger with 'serious injuries' just after midnight on April 27. The BHA have confirmed the 29-year-old Irishman is free to continue riding. And he has the chance to get back almost half of his fine in one go thanks to a money-spinning ride in the US on Friday night. Murphy heads to New York for the leg up on Qatar Racing-owned New Century in the Belmont Derby at Saratoga, where victory in the 10.45pm BST contest is worth £330,000. Advertisement Should Murphy oblige on the well-backed 7-4 favourite he can expect roughly ten per cent of the winnings - around £30,000. He won't spend long in the US though. Murphy is right back into the thick of things at Sandown on Saturday for their brilliant Coral-Eclipse card. He'll fly overnight from the States and land in time for the ride on Royal Ascot winner Adrestia in the 1.50 at the Surrey track. Advertisement Most read in Horse Racing That's the first of seven rides on the day, the highlight being 2,000 Guineas winner Ruling Court in the Eclipse itself. Murphy released a statement on X on Thursday evening after his guilty plea. He said: "I would like to sincerely apologise for my actions. "I know that drink driving is unacceptable and there is no excuse for what I did. Advertisement "I have let a lot of people down. "I particularly want to apologise to my passenger and her family. "Due to the police investigation, I have so far been able to share only minimal details of my offence with the British Horseracing Authority. "I will now be fully co-operative with their enquiries. Advertisement "It would not be appropriate for me to comment further until that process is concluded." FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Read more on the Irish Sun Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
The Journal
a day ago
- The Journal
Kerry jockey Oisin Murphy fined over €80,000 after admitting drink-driving
CHAMPION JOCKEY OISIN Murphy has been fined £70,000 (€81,300) after he admitted driving a car while drunk and crashing into a tree earlier this year. Murphy, 29, of Beales Farm Road, Lambourn, Hungerford, was also banned from driving for a period of 20 months at Reading Magistrates' Court today after he pleaded guilty to one count of driving a motor vehicle while over the prescribed limit of alcohol. He was charged by postal requisition on 19 June after he drove his grey Mercedes A Class off the road and into a tree in Hermitage, Berkshire, at about 12.05am on 27 April. He had a passenger with him at the time, who was the owner of the car, the court heard. They were both taken to hospital after the crash. Murphy was later discharged to take a breathalyser test at a police station at about 7am, which showed a reading of 66mg per 100 millilitres of breath. This meant he was 'just shy of twice above the drink-driving limit' at the time of driving, prosecutor Richard Atkins told the court. He was subsequently interviewed by Thames Valley Police officers but was unable to confirm what had happened as he claimed he did not have a clear memory of the incident, the prosecution added. Murphy grew up in Killarney, Co Kerry and rode five winners at last month's Royal Ascot last week. Sporting a dark blue suit, white shirt, and tie, Murphy only spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and address before entering his guilty plea. Jockey Oisin Murphy arrives at Reading Magistrates' Court Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Judge Sam Goozee told Murphy he was taking two aggravating factors into account, adding: 'Your vehicle was involved in a collision which indicates an impairment. You were also carrying a passenger. 'You are lucky that neither you, your passenger, or the public were injured by your actions. 'I do balance that with the remorse you have shown for your actions. 'You have also recognised that you have let the public down by virtue of your actions, and your colleagues in the racing world.' Murphy received a £70,000 fine, with a £2,000 surcharge and £85 in costs. Advertisement The figure was calculated based on his annual earnings, which the court heard are in the region of £250,000 a year, in addition to a weekly salary of £1,250. Murphy will also have to complete a drink-driving awareness course by 13 August 2026, and will be able to reapply for a driving licence by November next year. Murphy published a statement this evening in which he apologised for the offence. 'I would like to sincerely apologise for my actions,' he wrote. 'I know that drink driving is unacceptable and there is no excuse for what I did. 'I have let a lot of people down. I particularly want to apologise to my passenger and her family. 'I have so far been able to share only minimal details of my offence with the British Horseracing Authority as a result of the police investigation. 'I will now be fully co-operative with their enquiries. 'It would not be appropriate for me to comment further until that process is concluded.' The British Horseracing Authority said Murphy will remain free to continue riding, but new conditions will likely be added to his licence as a result of his conviction. 'Everyone at the BHA, like all involved in our sport, is disappointed today having learned the details of the offence to which Oisin Murphy has pleaded guilty,' a spokesperson for the BHA said in a statement. 'This is a very serious offence that, in the course of being committed, saw Mr Murphy jeopardise not only his own safety but that of his passenger and all other people travelling on the roads at the same time as him that night. '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. 'In light of Mr Murphy's guilty plea and the information revealed in court today, we will be working 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.' 'We will issue an update on this process in due course and will be making no further comment at this time,' the BHA added.
