29-04-2025
Champion jockey Oisin Murphy is all smiles as he returns to racing just hours after mysterious car crash riddle
Four-time champion jockey Oisin Murphy was all smiles as he returned to racing on Monday afternoon after being involved in a car crash over the weekend.
It's believed that the crash occurred shortly after Murphy, 29, raced at Leicester on Saturday afternoon - where he won three times in the seven-race event.
Many had expected Murphy to carry that form into Southwell's event on Sunday however the 29-year-old was not present.
A steward's report from the British Horseracing Authority later claimed that Murphy missed the opportunity to partake in a further four races due to 'travel issues'.
Just one day later, however, Murphy was back in the saddle.
The 29-year-old raced at Windsor's circuit on Monday - where he was first on 13-8 favourite Sea Founder in the British Stallion Studs EBF Restricted Maiden Stakes.
Prior to the first race of the afternoon, Murphy's agent, Gavin Horne, told The Mirror: 'All I know is Oisin had a car accident and that is it. He is fine and racing tonight.'
Murphy's elegance in the saddle made him a star and enabled him to be crowned Champion Jockey three times in a row, from 2019 to 2021, as well as last year's.
However, the 29-year-old has served well-documented suspensions, one of 14 months for breaching Covid rules in 2020 and misleading the British Horseracing Authority. Another was for failing a breathalyser test.
Reflecting on his suspension in an exclusive interview with Mail Sport last year, Murphy said: 'When I was suspended, it was the first time in my life I ever thought about income. Before, I could never spend what I earned as I was working too hard.
'Then, all of a sudden, I had no income; a mortgage and showjumpers (his passion outside racing) to pay for. I had money invested but I didn't want to put my hand out - "I've tried to f*** up my career, I need my money because I have run out."
'There is a financial awareness now. In the first half of my career, I was never thinking more than a few weeks ahead. Now it's a bit different.
'My focus while I was banned was staying sober, putting my life back together and using the time to make sure I was ready for when the BHA gave me the green light to return.
