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Irish Post
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Post
Oisin Murphy faces strict conditions after drink-driving conviction
CHAMPION jockey Oisin Murphy is set to continue his racing career under "incredibly strict" conditions following his recent conviction for drink-driving. Murphy was fined £70,000 and banned from driving for 20 months by Reading Magistrates' Court after pleading guilty to driving while over the legal alcohol limit. The incident occurred in April near his home in Berkshire, where Murphy's car hit a tree. A breath test administered by police nearly seven hours later revealed he was almost twice the legal limit. The £70,000 penalty ranks among the highest ever issued for a drink-driving offence in Britain. Despite the gravity of the case, Murphy continued riding shortly after the crash and remains a big figure in British racing. At the time of the July Festival in Newmarket, he led the 2025 Flat Jockeys' Championship by 20 wins. However, since the court hearing, his form has dipped—failing to secure a win from 21 rides, including a blank six-race card at Newmarket on Thursday. The British Horseracing Authority (BHA), keen to protect both the integrity of the sport and the welfare of its participants, has announced that Murphy's riding licence will be subject to a new set of rigorous conditions. Brant Dunshea, the BHA's acting chief executive, said in a statement that these measures will include enhanced testing both on and off the racecourse. 'We're working to come up with a set of conditions that not only ensures we're protecting the integrity and reputation of British racing and the safety of our horses and people,' Dunshea said on ITV Racing, 'but also that we're doing it in a way that ensures that Oisin gets the support and help that he might need to deal with his issues.' This is not Murphy's first brush with disciplinary action. In 2021, he received a 14-month suspension for multiple breaches of racing regulations, including failing pre-race breath tests, breaking Covid travel restrictions and misleading racing authorities. He returned to competitive racing in February 2023 under previously imposed licensing conditions. See More: Horse Racing, Jockey, Newmarket, Oisin Murphy
The Journal
03-07-2025
- 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.
Glasgow Times
03-07-2025
- Glasgow Times
‘I have let a lot of people down' – Champion jockey apologises for drink-driving
Murphy, 29, drove his grey Mercedes A-Class off the road and into a tree in Hermitage, West Berkshire, at about 12.05am on April 27. He was also banned from driving for a period of 20 months after pleading guilty at Reading Magistrates' Court on Thursday to one count of driving a motor vehicle while over the prescribed limit of alcohol. Murphy, who was with a passenger at the time, published a statement on Thursday 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. Jockey Oisin Murphy (right) leaving Reading Magistrates' Court (Jonathan Brady/PA) 'It would not be appropriate for me to comment further until that process is concluded.' Murphy, of Beales Farm Road, Lambourn, Hungerford, was taken to hospital after the crash, along with his passenger. He 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 earlier on Thursday. Murphy – who rode five winners at Royal Ascot last month – received a £70,000 fine, with a £2,000 surcharge and £85 in costs. 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. The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) said Murphy will remain free to continue riding, but new conditions are likely to 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.' The BHA added: 'We will issue an update on this process in due course and will be making no further comment at this time.'
Western Telegraph
03-07-2025
- Western Telegraph
‘I have let a lot of people down' – Champion jockey apologises for drink-driving
Murphy, 29, drove his grey Mercedes A-Class off the road and into a tree in Hermitage, West Berkshire, at about 12.05am on April 27. He was also banned from driving for a period of 20 months after pleading guilty at Reading Magistrates' Court on Thursday to one count of driving a motor vehicle while over the prescribed limit of alcohol. I know that drink-driving is unacceptable and there is no excuse for what I did Oisin Murphy Murphy, who was with a passenger at the time, published a statement on Thursday 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. Jockey Oisin Murphy (right) leaving Reading Magistrates' Court (Jonathan Brady/PA) 'It would not be appropriate for me to comment further until that process is concluded.' Murphy, of Beales Farm Road, Lambourn, Hungerford, was taken to hospital after the crash, along with his passenger. He 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 earlier on Thursday. Murphy – who rode five winners at Royal Ascot last month – received a £70,000 fine, with a £2,000 surcharge and £85 in costs. 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. The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) said Murphy will remain free to continue riding, but new conditions are likely to be added to his licence as a result of his conviction. 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 British Horseracing Authority spokesperson '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.' The BHA added: 'We will issue an update on this process in due course and will be making no further comment at this time.'
South Wales Guardian
28-06-2025
- South Wales Guardian
Oisin Murphy to continue riding ahead of court appearance
Thames Valley Police said in a statement on Thursday that the 29-year-old had been charged in connection with a road traffic accident in Berkshire in April. It is alleged he was over the prescribed alcohol limit and failed to cooperate when asked to give a preliminary test at the scene. On Friday the BHA said there was nothing to prevent Murphy continuing to ride on an ongoing basis and he travelled to Doncaster for five mounts, winning the Doncaster Racecourse Supporting Racing Staff Week Handicap aboard the Andrew Balding-trained 8-13 favourite Displaying. The four-time champion is due to be in action at York on Saturday where his six booked mounts include Formal in the Group Three Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Criterion Stakes. Murphy – who rode five winners at Royal Ascot last week – is due to appear at Reading Magistrates' Court on July 3. He was charged last Thursday, when he rode at double at the showpiece meeting through Arabian Story and Never So Brave.
