An independent judicial panel has ruled Oisin Murphy will not be able to reapply for his riding licence for 14 months – backdated to December 8 – after the three-time champion jockey accepted he was guilty of all five charges brought by the British Horseracing Authority.
Murphy appeared at High Holborn on Tuesday morning to face two charges in relation to breaking Covid protocols in September 2020, and two failed tests for alcohol in May and October of 2021 – as well as one overarching charge of "acting in a manner which is prejudicial to the proper integrity, conduct and good reputation of the sport".
Murphy was given three 11-month suspensions for the two Covid breaches and conduct prejudicial to the reputation of the sport, all to run concurrently, along with a £31,111 fine, while he was given ten days for what amounted to a second alcohol positive for his test at Chester on May 5 and a further 90 days for his third such positive recorded at Newmarket on October 8 totalling an additional 100 days. He can return to race-riding in February 16, 2023.
Murphy did not contest any of the charges and told the panel how the effect of the dual pressures of the jockeys' championship and the BHA's investigation into his breaking of Covid protocols led to his drinking spiralling "out of control" – an alcohol problem the rider said he now had under control after seeking professional help.
The cases were heard simultaneously by a three-person panel, chaired by His Honour James O'Mahony in the presence of Rachel Spearing and Anthony Connell, with the charges combined after Murphy's legal team applied for an extension in December so the rider could seek help with his addiction.
The 26-year-old Murphy surrendered his licence on December 8, 2021 to focus on his rehabilitation and has not race ridden since. His ban has been backdated to this date, while the fact he currently does not possess a licence meant Murphy could not technically be suspended so the panel opted to declare him ineligible to reapply for the enforced time period.
