Latest news with #ChampionJockey
Daily Telegraph
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Telegraph
Blake Shinn's fourth Scobie Breasley Medal win spurs Group 1 goals
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Four-time Scobie Breasley medallist Blake Shinn has set sights on more Group 1 success this season. The champion jockey completed a Scobie Breasley award hat-trick on Saturday night — crowned Victoria's best rider for a third straight season and fourth overall after winning it for the first time in 2005. Shinn chased a lofty goal to ride 200 winners last season in Victoria and remained on track until a heel injury setback in late May halted the progress. He returned in July and finished on 146 winners, including 74 metropolitan successes. PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Shinn rode three Group 1 winners last season, but only one in Melbourne — the Toorak Handicap aboard Queensland star Antino. The 31-time Group 1 winner, including the 2008 Melbourne Cup aboard Viewed for the late great Bart Cummings, is determined to build on the tally. 'I set the goal to try and win 200 (races) last year,' Shinn said. 'We were on track and we had the hiccup, which set me back … I would've gone close. 'I'll try and focus more on the Group 1s (this season) and target that. 'I want to be a bit more careful with my work ethic because it is quite demanding on your body going to a lot of the provincial meetings. 'I'm not saying I won't go to them because I will, but it is very demanding the work. 'It definitely paid dividends, but this season the goalposts will change and hopefully that will pay dividends.' Despite all the success last season, including a second metropolitan premiership in three seasons and milestone 2000th career winner, Shinn rated the win on Burlington Gate on February 27, the day trainer Michael Moroney died, as his most special moment. 'Mike had a profound impact on a lot of people in the industry and he had a profound impact on me,' an emotional Shinn said. 'To honour his legacy on that day, the day he passed, definitely was a highlight.' Fierce competitor and professional Shinn, a model of consistency, has dominated the Victorian riding ranks since he returned home from Hong Kong three years ago. READ: Ciaron Maher stayer makes Melbourne Cup statement at Moonee Valley 'There's some brilliant jockeys in Melbourne,' Shinn said. 'Craig Williams, Mark Zahra, Jamie Melham, the list goes on. 'I didn't really know what to expect when I came back but I grafted away and did my best. 'What we've been able to achieve is really special, it's a testament to our hard work really. 'You can never feel content, I'm never a person to feel content with what I've done. 'There's always something to try and achieve and strive to get better. 'We'll keep working and hopefully we can keep getting better, I feel I've got a lot to improve on and we'll keep getting better … but to accomplish what I have in Melbourne, I'm pretty happy with that.' Shinn attributed his success to a close-knit support network, most notably his partner Lucy Yeomans and manager Liam Prior. Originally published as Four-time Scobie winner Blake Shinn sets Group 1 goals
The Independent
03-07-2025
- The Independent
Champion jockey admits drink driving charge after crashing into a tree
Champion jockey Oisin Murphy has admitted drink driving after he crashed his car into a tree earlier this year. Murphy, 29, appeared at Reading Magistrates' Court on Thursday afternoon where he pleaded guilty to one count of driving a motor vehicle while over the prescribed limit of alcohol. He was not asked to plead on another count of failing to cooperate with a preliminary test at the roadside. The jockey, of Beales Farm Road, Lambourn, Hungerford, was charged by postal requisition on June 19 after he drove his grey Mercedes A Class off the road and into a tree in Hermitage, Berkshire, at about 12.05am on April 27. He will be sentenced later on Thursday. Murphy, who grew up in Killarney, Co Kerry, has been crowned UK champion jockey four times – in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2024. He was among the winners at the Doncaster Racecourse Supporting Racing Staff Week Handicap last week, and rode five winners at Royal Ascot earlier in June.
BreakingNews.ie
03-07-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Champion Irish jockey (29) admits drink driving charge after crashing into a tree
Champion Irish jockey Oisin Murphy has admitted drink driving after he crashed his car into a tree earlier this year. Murphy, 29, appeared at Reading Magistrates' Court on Thursday afternoon, where he pleaded guilty to one count of driving a motor vehicle while over the prescribed limit of alcohol. Advertisement He was not asked to plead on another count of failing to cooperate with a preliminary test at the roadside. The jockey, of Beales Farm Road, Lambourn, Hungerford, was charged by postal requisition on June 19th after he drove his grey Mercedes A Class off the road and into a tree in Hermitage, Berkshire, at about 12.05am on April 27th. He will be sentenced later on Thursday. Murphy, who grew up in Killarney, Co Kerry, has been crowned UK champion jockey four times – in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2024. Advertisement He was among the winners at the Doncaster Racecourse Supporting Racing Staff Week Handicap last week, and rode five winners at Royal Ascot earlier in June.
Daily Mail
03-07-2025
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Champion jockey Oisin Murphy pleads guilty to drink-driving after crashing car into tree in smash that left woman in hospital
Champion jockey Oisin Murphy has admitted drink driving after he crashed his car into a tree earlier this year. Murphy, 29, appeared at Reading Magistrates' Court on Thursday afternoon where he pleaded guilty to one count of driving a motor vehicle while over the prescribed limit of alcohol. He was not asked to plead on another count of failing to cooperate with a preliminary test at the roadside. The jockey, of Beales Farm Road, Lambourn, Hungerford, was charged by postal requisition on June 19 after he drove his grey Mercedes A Class off the road and into a tree in Hermitage, Berkshire, at about 12.05am on April 27. He will be sentenced later on Thursday. Murphy, who grew up in Killarney, Co Kerry, has been crowned UK champion jockey four times - in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2024. He was among the winners at the Doncaster Racecourse Supporting Racing Staff Week Handicap last week, and rode five winners at Royal Ascot earlier in June. More to follow.
Daily Mail
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
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.
