Kerry jockey Oisin Murphy fined over €80,000 after admitting drink-driving
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.
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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.
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The Irish Sun
7 hours ago
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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.
Irish Independent
8 hours ago
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A sad situation caused in large part by his chronic alcohol abuse. Oisin Murphy is his own man. He is affable and engaging with the most magnetic personality one can find in the sport of horse racing today. The plain truth of the matter is racing needs Oisin Murphy more than Oisin needs racing. This does not mean Oisin is above the law. It simply means his value to the sport often goes under appreciated by the very powers that spend hours upon hours wondering how best to promote horse racing. This might well ring hollow in light of recent events, but Oisin is an ambassador for the sport. For all his personal woes, he continues to be the best at what he does – a fact that has always irritated his detractors. Bernard Dillon was the same. He balanced his life and career precariously close to the edge due to alcohol. And yet, somehow, he rode winners better than any jockey while notching some of horse racing's biggest races. Sadly, Bernard lost his battle with alcohol, which is why Oisin must learn from his fellow Kerry man when navigating his way clear of this trouble. As with many of life's challenges, hope and inspiration can come from the unlikeliest sources. If this includes studying the life of Bernard Dillon – 115 years later – so be it. For all the pressures faced by Oisin in his profession, Dillon faced them just the same. It boils down to a question of coping. It's why Bernard's decline, because of alcohol, makes him a ready-made template for what Oisin must avoid. In 1901, Bernard left Tralee to become an apprentice jockey in Sailsbury. Within four years he had caught the eye of racing's most influential owners and trainers as the best jockey of his generation – similar to Oisin's own meteoric rise. Dillon's Epsom Derby win in 1910 is the centrepiece of his career. This is bookended by wins in the 1000 Guineas, the Grand Prix de Paris, Coronation Cup, and Cesarewitch, to name a few. 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The Journal
a day ago
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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.
