The curtain came down on the final evening of the London International Horse Show on Monday (22 December) with one of the most entertaining classes of the week, the Tuffa Boots Jockeys Challenge Cup in aid of The Injured Jockeys Fund.

In an action-packed half hour of thrills – and one spill – the team of five female jockeys took on their male counterparts over a showjumping course and joker fence, under the guidance of team managers William and Pippa Funnell.

London Horse Show jockeys’ challenge: Stewards enquiry!

Earning weighing room bragging rights over the Festive period were the victorious quintet of male jockeys. Team captain and champion Flat jockey Oisin Murphy led former champion jump jockey Brian Hughes, Tristan Durell, Richie McLernon and Flat jockey Jason Hart to a Frankel-esque combined winning margin of over 20 seconds.

Oisin, who has also competed nationally and internationally in the showjumping ring, unsurprisingly produced an exhibition round over the coloured poles. But it was Brian Hughes – who had jetted in from riding three placed horses at Musselburgh racecourse earlier in the day – who stole the show, scorching round faster than London Horse Show grand prix winner Tom Wachman to post the quickest time of the evening (25.69sec) having also cleared the imposing joker fence.

“I’m just glad I didn’t make a fool of my horse,” said Brian, adding that being beaten by 0.02sec by Harry Skelton last year had spurred him on to warp speed this year. “Sometimes at the racecourse the crowd aren’t cheering for you, if they’ve bet on something you’ve got beaten on, so this was great fun.”

Without the legendary Sir Anthony “AP” McCoy in action in this year’s class, Richie McLernon took it upon himself to continue the 20-time champion’s Festive tradition of falling off. When Richie’s horse refused at one obstacle, Richie slipped gracefully out the side door but, to a huge cheer, he vaulted back on (albeit at the second attempt) and kicked on over the rest of the course, even flying effortlessly over the joker.

The dreaded “EL” appeared next to his name, but it didn’t seem to matter, the lads were smashing it.

“The boys fell off, got back on and were still faster than the girls!” quipped William Funnell, last seen stomping off to the stewards’ room to lodge an official objection to his rider’s elimination.

Team captain Oisin Murphy: “A wonderful cause and a true privilege”

The female team of jockeys were equally determined, however, with team captain Megan Nicholls leading Lilly Pinchin, Joanna Mason, Gina Andrews and Alice Stevens to a slower, but arguably more stylish team result.

There was an anxious wait however while the stewards deliberated the scores and scoured their rulebooks, eventually deciding to drop Richie’s score alongside the highest scoring rider from Megan’s team and the male jockeys were announced as first past the post to conclude another brilliant, high-octane and entertaining evening, all for a fantastic cause.

“Christmas is coming so I want to stay in Pippa’s good books, but that was too easy!” said William Funnell about his wife’s opposing team.

“It’s a wonderful cause and we’re so lucky that we’re able to take part at London Horse Show – it’s a five-star show watched by people all around the world, so it’s a true privilege,” said Oisin Murphy.

“This is my fourth year competing here and I still haven’t won it yet,” said Joanna Mason. “I need to keep coming back!

“But the IJF is an amazing charity, I’ve relied on them from a broken back to broken ankles – they’ve got me back quicker than I could ever have done, so I can’t thank them enough. So anything we can do for them is just amazing.”

Debutante team captain Megan Nicholls added: “We’re not giving up! We’re going to have a team talk and a regroup, then come back for more.

“It was so much fun and it’s for such an important cause. We’ve been so lucky to have great sponsors in Tuffa this year. Everyone behind the scenes who bring the ponies and horses for us to ride, too, thanks to the crowd for getting behind us because it’s such a cool atmosphere.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout the year, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) is considering new conditions for Oisin Murphy’s licence, after he pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

The 29-year-old four-time champion Flat jockey was fined £70,000 and banned from driving for 20 months, at Reading Magistrates’ Court today (3 July). The judge heard he gave a reading of 66mcg alcohol in 100ml breath – nearly twice the legal limit of 35mcg – seven hours after the accident in which the Mercedes he was driving left the road and hit a tree.

The prosecutor told the court police arrived at the scene of the accident, shortly after midnight on 27 April, to find Oisin speaking on his phone and his passenger, the owner of the car, lying on the ground.

“At the scene, he admitted he was the driver at the time of the collision,” the prosecutor said, adding that a request was made for a roadside breath test but there was a “misunderstanding between him and the officers”, and no sample was provided.

Oisin was taken to hospital, then to the police station, where he produced a breath sample at about 7am.

In mitigation, Oisin’s counsel said: “He accepts it was a grave error on his part and is deeply remorseful.”

He added that Oisin had asked him to apologise to his passenger, the public and other road users and his colleagues.

Apologies

“He fully appreciates that driving with excess alcohol can have devastating consequences,” he said, noting that Oisin has no previous convictions and is a “relatively young man of good character”. He suggested a fine might be the appropriate punishment, citing his client’s “relatively limited” regular income of £1,250 per week, but adding that his annual net winnings last year were about £250,000.

The district judge noted the level of alcohol and that the reading was taken so long after the collision, and that aggravating factors were the fact a collision occurred, and that Oisin had a passenger.

“You’re lucky that neither you, your passenger nor the public was caused any injury as a result of your actions,” he said. “I balance that with your remorse, you admitted at the first opportunity you were the driver of the vehicle and cooperated with the procedure at the police station. You recognise you’ve let the public and your colleagues down.”

Oisin was fined £70,000 and must pay a £2,000 surcharge and £85 costs. He was banned from driving for 20 months, which will be reduced by 20 weeks if he completes a drink-driving rehabilitation scheme by next August.

Serious offence

A BHA spokesperson said: “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. 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.”

In a statement on social media this afternoon, Oisin said he wanted to “sincerely apologise” for his actions.

“I know that drink driving is unacceptable and there is no excuse for what I did,” he said. “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 [BHA]. I will now be fully cooperative with their enquiries.

“It would not be appropriate for me to comment further until that process is concluded.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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One of the highlights of the London International Horse Show (18-22 December) is always Friday night’s high-octane Markel Jockeys Jumping Class, in aid of the Injured Jockeys Fund.

This year, team captains Harry Skelton and AP MCoy will lead a glittering cast of jockeys in the relay race over the coloured poles, including fellow champion jump jockeys Brian Hughes and Harry Cobden, Henry Brooke and Gina Andrews. Representing the Flat jockeys are Jim Crowley, reigning champion Oisin Murphy, Joanna Mason and Saffie Osbourne.

Four-time champion Flat jockey Oisin Murphy is no stranger to the showjumping ring, having won internationally and he contested the Speed Derby at Hickstead in 2022. However, having not jumped at all this year and feeling a little ring rusty, Oisin enlisted the help of five-time Hickstead Derby winner and European gold medallist William Funnell for a jumping lesson where he was joined by LIHS ambassador, ITV Racing presenter and former Love Island star Chris Hughes. Chris will be acting as a roving reporter on the night.

Oisin tells H&H he’s taken away plenty of great advice ahead of his competitive debut at the London International.

“Will was very kind to let us come down and give us a few pointers,” he says. “I’d never been to the Billy Stud and it’s a wonderful facility.

“He put a little course up for us and he allowed us to warm up as normal, like we will be doing on the 20 December, before we popped round. He’s a fantastic rider and it was very good of him to give up his time.”

Oisin Murphy: “A bit like racing, I’ll just get on and try my best!”

Oisin rode the eight-year-old Chocolat Du Rouet for his lesson, but he isn’t sure yet who he will be riding on the night.

“A bit like racing, I’ll just get on and try my best!” he says. “I’ve obviously showjumped a bit on the Sunshine Tour and so on, but this will be my first time in the Markel Jockeys Jumping class at the London International. I haven’t had a chance to compete at all this year, so this will be my first opportunity of 2024 and I’m very lucky that they’ve included me this time round.

“I’ve visited the show many times though and there’s an electric feeling there, a great atmosphere and it’s one that lots of equestrians look forward to, having a day at the ExCeL Arena in December.

“The class will be great fun, and all of us jockeys taking part will certainly be competing to win, but more importantly we are grateful to be involved in an event that raises vital awareness for a charity that is so important to us all and the wider sport.”

“I just hope I’ll be able to do a good job!”

Top tips from William Funnell for Oisin Murphy and Chris Hughes

William Funnell revealed that both Chris and Oisin had to work on memorising a course of showjumps.

“It just becomes a habit for showjumpers – you look up and there’s your next fence – but of course it’s very different in racing and people in racing sometimes find it difficult to plot a route; they’re just used to going in straight lines!” William explains.

“So I was explaining that it’s all about preparation – the minute you’re landing from one fence, you’re preparing for the next. You land, you balance the horse, you look for the next fence and your line to it; you can’t just be swinging round the corners hoping for the best!

“So I’ve hopefully given them a few tips, but on the night they all just want to win so much that they’ll all get carried away and do whatever they want! But that’s what makes it fun, and that’s what it’s all about.”

There have been plenty of thrills, spills and festive entertainment in the class over the years, with Harry Skelton even losing his bridle twice in 2018. With the option of the Markel joker fence to finish, there’s plenty to test the jockeys’ skill, bravery and horsemanship.

Chris Hughes adds: “I’m thrilled to be an ambassador for London International Horse Show this year and to be involved in helping to support the Injured Jockeys Fund through the Markel Jumping Jockeys class is really special for me. I can’t wait to see everyone down at the ExCeL in a few weeks for what is going to be one of the highlights of the Show!”

AP McCoy: “Some jockeys jump really well, some fall off – usually me – but it’s for a great cause”

The 20-time champion jockey AP McCoy, who is president of the Injured Jockeys Fund, last guided his team to victory in 2022 and he says: “We all love taking part in the Markel Jockeys Jumping. It’s always such a great night. Some jockeys jump really well, some fall off – usually me – but it’s for a great cause and the least we can do to raise awareness of the IJF and the incredible work the charity does.”

The Markel Jockeys Jumping class in aid of the Injured Jockeys Fund kicks off the London International Horse Show’s evening performance on Friday 20 December at ExCeL London.

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It’s always the people – and in our sport, the horses – that make the most interesting stories. And Horsepower does a solid job of beautifully shot, careful storytelling to bring so many stories to life.

The four-part Amazon Prime Video series follows the lives of champion Flat jockey Oisin Murphy and top trainer Andrew Balding from autumn 2020 to Royal Ascot 2021.

The access this fly-on-the-wall style series achieves is excellent. The insights the viewer is given into the workings of Andrew’s training operation at Kingsclere, alongside his drive to succeed and attention to detail, are exceptional.

Underpinning the whole series are the threads of ambition, passion and care. Much of the story is told by Anna Lisa Balding, whose strength and kindness shine through all four episodes.

The grittier sides of these two main protagonists’ stories are in there, too. The viewer sees Andrew’s frustration when a horse’s important final piece of work doesn’t go to plan, while Oisin’s promise beforehand that you would see the jockey at his “best and worst” is fulfilled. The cameras follow the fall-out from his positive cocaine test (Oisin has always maintained he has never taken cocaine – it was accepted by authorities that this was as a result of contamination), his ban, and his comeback. We see him vulnerable, honest, at times stroppy, and also likeable, funny and brilliant on a horse.

I’m sure there are reasons, but is surprising, though, that there is no mention of Oisin’s current ban, connected to Covid- and alcohol-related rule breaches, which he was given seven months before this series aired on Amazon Prime Video. The series ends in June 2021 – months before the news of Oisin’s alleged charges were made public in December 2021 – but certain dates connected with these charges did cross over with the time period in which the documentary was filmed.

What Horsepower really captures so well is that alchemic balance in the contradictions of this losing sport, which is all about winning, that makes racing so compelling. It’s something I touched on following the Paralympic Games in Tokyo last year – top level competition is both completely and utterly about sport to the point it almost ceases to be about sport, at all. It’s about people, horses and relationships.

The backdrop of Andrew’s build up to Royal Ascot and Oisin’s journey provide the stage. But its stories are in the players and how the two worlds – that top-flight sporting backdrop and the real lives of the people involved – are bound together.

I loved the way the one-on-one relationships between the staff and horses are given real air-time. There’s lovely insight into what goes into flying horses around the world. Seeing Bangkok playing with a coat zip, the Valentine’s day cards outside Kameko’s stable, and grooms singing to their horses in the stables and the power the horse-human bond has to transform both people and equines is beautiful. It also did a solid job of both showing how skilled stable staff are and explaining to non-equestrian viewers why seemingly small details, such as a horse being late in his coat, are picked up on.

The series touches, too, on heartbreaking stories involving staff, family and owners, deeply moving and sensitively told. Racing is not untouched by the world around it, however firm the bubble surrounding it may seem at times.

The series is a good watch. While it will of course appeal to racing fans and the horse world, those are not prerequisites, which is its strength. Horsepower is a documentary about racing, but really, it’s a story about people.

• Horsepower is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video

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A new four-part documentary series following three-time champion Flat jockey Oisin Murphy as he faces the prospect of an impending ban, and top trainer Andrew Balding, will land on Amazon Prime this week.

Horsepower, from the makers of hit documentary Rooney, will be released on Prime Video in the UK and Ireland on Friday (23 September).

“All the ups and downs of being a champion jockey are laid bare on Horsepower, this is where I tell my story,” said Oisin.

“I allowed the Horsepower cameras to see me at my best and my worst because I want people to understand the pressures that come with success for a jockey. The series brilliantly captures this during what was a very challenging time in my career.”

The series, with Lorton Entertainment made in conjunction with Equine Productions, followed the lives and careers of Oisin and Andrew from autumn 2020 to the summer of 2021 as they prepare for Royal Ascot.

Clare Balding, broadcaster and sister to Andrew, said the series offers a “great insight into how hard my brother has worked to turn Kingsclere into a training operation that can compete with the biggest and the best”.

“I’m so proud of Andrew, his wife Anna Lisa and the team they have built around them and I found this series incredibly revealing – there’s stuff in here that I never knew and have never seen so I can safely say that it’s intriguing and the camera work is sensational,” she added.

The series is produced and directed by Dave James and John Maxse. It follows Andrew as he strives to take his yard to the next level. Meanwhile, his principal jockey, Oisin, is facing the prospect of a ban following a positive test for cocaine (Oisin has always maintained he as never taken drugs) matched with fear of what it could mean for his career.

“In the 20 years since I’ve been in charge at Kingsclere no one else has been given the level of access provided to the Horsepower team for this series,” said Andrew.

“Viewers get to go behind the scenes and see how a racehorse trainer and his team operate, including the meticulous preparation ahead of races both abroad and in the UK, culminating with the five days of Royal Ascot. Horsepower showcases the highs and lows of this incredible sport and I am very proud to be a part of it.”

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits. 

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Three-time champion Flat jockey Oisin Murphy is returning to his showjumping roots to compete in this year’s British speed Derby at the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby meeting (23-26 June).

The 26-year-old, who is currently banned from race-riding, made his Hickstead debut over the coloured poles last year and won his first international showjumping class in Spain in December.

He is now targeting the speed Derby with his top mare, the 10-year-old Medusa Van De Kooldries, one of a handful of horses he has with Irish showjumper Richard Howley and his partner Morgan Kent.

“I’ve loved showjumping since I was a small child,” Oisin told H&H. “When I started wanting to become a jockey, showjumping had to take a place on the shelf, but in recent months and particularly last year, I started to ride and get some lessons again.”

Richard Howley rode Medusa, who had previously evented to novice level with Oliver Townend, in a Derby-style class recently and it “went really well”, so it’s now all systems go for Oisin to take the reins once again at Hickstead, where he will need to jump in the Thursday’s qualifier in order to line up for Saturday’s feature class. There, he’ll be tested over some of Hickstead’s iconic fences including the Irish Bank and Devil’s Dyke.

“She’s quite brave and quite sharp, so hopefully she’ll give me a good spin,” said Oisin. “I haven’t actually ridden her over anything natural myself but I hunt over the winter with the Ledbury, the Quorn and the Cottesmore at least twice, if not three times, a week, so hopefully I’ll be fine — and if Richard and Morgan are content for me to ride in the class, I’m sure the horse will be well-prepared.”

Oisin Murphy: ‘I’ve been watching the Hickstead speed Derby since I was a small boy’

Oisin is planning to have a few lessons this week but his next appearance in the ring will be at Hickstead itself, where he hopes to be jumping a few horses, followed by Bolesworth International.

“I might borrow a horse from Michael Duffy or David Simpson for the week,” said Oisin. “All those Irish guys have been super helpful and I’m very fortunate to get advice and lessons from them, albeit irregularly. They’re there when we can fit it in.

“I’ve been watching the speed Derby since I was a small boy. I’m sure I’ll be nervous on the day, but I never really focus too much on these things beforehand. There’s a lot to remember, from the course to just getting everything right.”

Might we see the Group One-winning jockey descending the legendary bank in the Hickstead Derby itself one year?

“Baby steps! When I started showjumping I just wanted to jump 1.20m and I’m comfortable around 1.35m now, so hopefully by the end of the summer I’ll be jumping a bit bigger than that,” said Oisin.

“My mother spent time, energy and money on getting me lots of lessons as a child, so I just hope I don’t embarrass myself!”

A truly cosmopolitan field of riders will be battling the showjumpers in a bid to compete in this year’s speed Derby, including top flight eventers Gemma Tattersall, who said she’s “just going to go for it” and Ben Hobday, while Grand National-winning jockey Paul Carberry will be hoping to emulate his former weighing room colleague Robert Power, who won the class in 2013.

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Three-time champion jockey Oisin Murphy has been banned from reapplying for his riding licence for 14 months after admitting all charges brought by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) at an independent disciplinary panel hearing today (22 February).

The hearing, which included testimony from Oisin himself, painted a picture of a young man struggling with alcohol, who found himself trapped in a web of lies.

The charges, which he did not dispute, included breaching Covid restrictions, by failing to self-isolate on returning from a holiday in Mykonos in September 2020, and repeatedly lying about where he had been. He also admitted two alcohol offences, relating to Chester in May 2021 and Newmarket in October 2021, after which he realised he needed to change his ways.

In total, Oisin was fined £31,111 and will be ineligible to reapply for his licence for 14 months, backdated to 8 December 2021, when he voluntarily surrendered his licence to focus on rehabilitation. This means he cannot reapply to ride in races until 16 February 2023.

“However affected by addiction you may have been, we conclude that you thought you were above the rules and the law,” said independent disciplinary panel chairman James O’Mahony.

“However high you are, you are not above them, they apply to all.”

Mr O’Mahony said Oisin is clearly a “brilliant jockey and superb horseman”, and that the panel was “not here to criticise you for the sake of it”, but to explain its reasons and apply the rules.

He added that abiding by the 14-day self-isolation rules was “all you had to do, as countless others had to”.

“But you embarked on a deception. It was planned carefully, calculated and detailed, and prolonged for a significant period of time,” he said, adding that Oisin “embroidered” and “reinforced the lie” with details in the media, even giving the BHA names of others who would support his story.

“You had time to think ‘what am I doing’?” Mr O’Mahony said. “You only put your hands up when you had your back against the wall.”

He added: “This conduct, I’m sorry to say, was unworthy of a sportsman and previous champion. And you, as you have acknowledged, have let down your mates, your colleagues, the racing public and the sport. You were prepared to take risks with the health of others.”

Mr O’Mahony said the panel took into account Oisin’s testimony about his addiction, which they accept as “candid and frank”, wishing him well on his road to rehabilitation.

The sentence was in effect split in two main parts, with the heaviest sanctions for the three Covid-related charges. For each of these, he was given effectively an 11-month ban on reapplying for his licence, to run concurrently, as well as a £31,111 on the charge of acting in a manner prejudicial to the proper integrity, conduct and good reputation of the sport.

Oisin was also given a 10- and a 90-day ban on reapplying for his licence for the alcohol charges. These will run consecutively to the Covid sanctions, which bring the total period of ineligibility to 14 months.

As Oisin has already handed in his licence, the panel could not technically “suspend him”, so they instead served him with this period of ineligibility, before he can apply for a licence again.

What happened?

It was a lie, fuelled by “very bad” decisions from a young man struggling with alcohol dependency, that went too far, was the picture painted during the hearing.

When Oisin set out for Mykonos on 9 September 2020, just a few people knew where he was really going. The Greek island was on the list of places travellers were required to self-isolate from for 14 days on their return.

But Oisin pretended that he was instead on holiday at Lake Como, in Italy, which had no self-isolation requirements on returning to the UK.

Charlotte Davison, acting for the BHA, told the hearing Oisin had “unequivocally denied” being to the Greek islands when asked by the BHA at the time, instead claiming that he had travelled to Lake Como.

The hearing was told Oisin had maintained in the media that he had been on holiday at Lake Como, going as far in his Sporting Life blog to mention the “Italian bulge” from the good food he was eating.

But research by the BHA found photos on his Instagram were geographically tagged at Mykonos Island. A video of Oisin swimming in a rooftop pool, where someone could be heard shouting “Oisin”, was shared on Twitter, where a person had questioned whether he was in Italy or Mykonos.

The BHA called him on 17 September, when he denied travelling to Mykonos – a lie he maintained until 25 May the following year. The panel heard that Oisin “did not recall” speaking with someone from the BHA, but accepts that it must have happened.

At one point during the BHA’s investigation, Oisin was said to go as far as telling BHA that he would “love to go to Mykonos, but I’ve never been there”.

Ms Davison said he told the BHA that he could not explain the location tag on his Instagram photos, which was later removed, and that people he had travelled with would confirm his location.

On 5 May, he was asked to provide his travel documents from 7 to 13 September, bank and credit card statements, accommodation details and photos within his control. On 25 May, he admitted in a letter to the BHA that he had travelled to Mykonos and not to Lake Como along with an “unreserved apology” and acknowledged he should have told the truth.

He added that he knew when he “stepped foot” on the plane that he was going to be telling some people that he wasn’t going there.

“I got back from Mykonos having lied to anyone who had asked where I had been,” he said, adding he felt like he “had to keep up the lie” and that “all these lies could be contained”.

He put it down to having a “jockey’s mindset” and convinced himself that as he felt well and had moved in a small circle during his holiday, that he wasn’t putting anyone at risk. He rode out, completed the BHA Covid questionnaire inaccurately on four occasions and won 11 races during the 14-day period he should have been self-isolating. His winning margin in that year’s Flat Jockeys Championship title was eight races.

“From outside perhaps to some, being Mr Murphy looks like a life one might envy. But there has been a cost to that success,” said Rory Mac Neice, representing the jockey.

“This is an individual who, over a number of years, had a growing, continuing difficulty with his relationship with alcohol that was causing him to make bad decisions.”

Oisin openly addressed the panel, speaking frankly about the pressure he places upon himself and how he used alcohol as a coping mechanism for both the highs and the lows.

“I dealt with both the same. The success by drinking and the lack-of-success by drinking and that is the rock I perished on, really,” he said.

The emotion caught in his voice during his testimony, recalling how he had had the right support around him, but had not been able to see it. He summarised how, as a young teenager starting out, he had listened to advice and had stayed away from the pub, did not party and his success in the saddle grew rapidly.

As his career progressed, so too did the socialising. He described how on occasions over the years he had stopped or significantly reduced his drinking. But in recent years, commitments and dinners with connections increased, his social circle expanded and alcohol was always around. With the added pressure he put on himself to succeed, the feeling the jockey’s title championship was “slipping away”, the Mykonos situation and the impact of dealing with the cocaine contamination case in France – Oisin has always, and continues to, deny ever having taken cocaine – he relied increasingly on alcohol.

The hearing heard the night before he tested above the threshold at Chester, he had a glass of wine at dinner and another that night to help him sleep, but felt fine the following day.

He recalled that the Sunday after the Goodwood Festival, he realised he had blacked out each night of the meeting. The “line in the sand” came on the morning of his failed breath test at Newmarket on 8 October, where he was stood down before riding.

“My friends started telling me stories, some of it untrue, some of it true, [about the night before] all of a sudden the panic set in,” he said.

He wrote to all the trainers he should have been riding for that day to apologise and has not drunk since. He is also receiving ongoing support.

“I never drank in the morning on the way [to the races], but in the evening I could be capable of drinking one glass of wine or 10 and not knowing what I had done,” he said. “I should have realised earlier, the writing was on the wall.

“I convinced myself that I didn’t have a drinking problem because I didn’t get out of bed in the morning and have a drink.

“I can’t undo the past. That initial lie led to countless lies and deceits.

“Now I’m sober, I’m a different person. I don’t think I would have made those errors. I can’t go back in time and I’m afraid they are grave issues, grave errors.

“I admit all the breaches. I just wish I could have dealt with them better at the time.”

‘BHA will offer any support’

A BHA statement, released after the hearing, condemned Oisin’s rule breaches, while also offering “any support” he requests moving forward.

“Mr Murphy’s breaches of the Rules were extremely serious, reckless and potentially incredibly damaging for the sport. They risked endangering his fellow jockeys and racing industry participants,” said the BHA statement.

“The BHA is proud of the way the industry adapted to the challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and how racing was able to restart quickly and successfully behind closed doors. Mr Murphy’s actions put this at risk. They also occurred at a time when so many people were making great sacrifices to follow the rules and protocols set out by the British Governments and the racing industry.

“Mr Murphy also acted with pre-meditation to deceive the racing industry and public regarding his whereabouts, as well as BHA investigators.”

The statement added: “In their summing up, the independent Panel stated that Mr Murphy’s conduct was unworthy of a sportsman and previous champion, and he had let down his colleagues and the sport.

“We would, however, also acknowledge that Mr Murphy later made full, public admissions regarding these offences, and did not seek to contest the rule breaches at today’s hearing. He also gave full and frank admissions regarding his personal battles.

“All of these matters were considered by the independent Panel in their decisions regarding a penalty for Mr Murphy.

“While it is important that this penalty is served and Mr Murphy’s offences are seen to be acted upon, we would also call on everyone in the sport to respect the admissions that he has made about his physical and mental wellbeing and his need for rehabilitation. The BHA will offer any support that Mr Murphy requests in this ongoing process.

“As with many elite sportspeople, the pressures on jockeys can be significant. We would urge anyone in the racing industry who has suffered from any of the issues outlined by Mr Murphy in the hearing, or who knows of anyone who is struggling, to contact the various support structures that are in place in British racing.

“These include Racing Welfare, representative bodies such as the PJA [Professional Jockeys Association], NTF [National Trainers Federation] and NARS [National Association of Racing Staff], the sport’s anonymous RaceWISE reporting line, or the BHA.”

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Champion Flat jockey Oisin Murphy has handed in his licence while he focuses on rehabilitation.

The 26-year-old was set to face charges concerning his allegedly breaking Covid rules in September 2020, as well as two charges regarding positive alcohol tests in May and October 2021, before an independent disciplinary panel last week (10 December).

Ahead of the hearing, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) received submissions from Oisin’s legal team regarding his welfare, supported by medical evidence, and stated that he had decided to relinquish his Flat jockeys’ licence while he “engages fully with medical support”. Both sides agreed to postpone the hearing.

“On returning from abroad last September in 2020 I failed to follow the Covid protocol set out by the BHA. In breaking these rules, and attempting to mislead the BHA, I’ve let my governing body down, along with trainers, owners, staff, sponsors and family for which I wish to apologise,” said Oisin.

“In addition to this there have been two racecourse incidents linked to alcohol during 2021. It became obvious to me and to everyone else that I needed to seek serious help. In recognition of this I have relinquished my licence and will now focus on my rehabilitation. I am grateful to the BHA for agreeing to postpone the disciplinary hearing until I have been able to take these steps.

“Whether I deserve it or not, many kind people have stood by me and I really appreciate their support. I’m deeply embarrassed and regret my actions.”

The three-time champion jockey faces three allegations of rule breaches concerning coronavirus protocols relating to travel in September 2020. These are misleading or attempting to mislead the BHA regarding his true location between 9 and 12 September 2020, accessing the racecourse in breach of Covid-19 requirements and acting in a manner prejudicial to the proper conduct and good reputation of horseracing.

The matters were set to be heard at the same time as two allegations regarding positive tests for alcohol, from Chester on 5 May 2021 and Newmarket on 8 October 2021.

“In regulating the sport we must always strike the balance between the importance of upholding the rules, and being mindful of the wellbeing of those who we regulate. The welfare of our participants is an absolute priority,” said Tim Naylor, BHA director of integrity and regulation.

“Having received detailed submissions from his representatives, which were supported by medical evidence, and being aware of the decision made by Mr Murphy to relinquish his jockey’s licence, we agreed that the proposed disciplinary hearing may be postponed for a short period of time.

“The charges will be considered in front of an independent disciplinary panel we anticipate in the early part of 2022. We will support his medical team in the meantime.”

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Three-time champion Flat jockey Oisin Murphy has already enjoyed some good results since venturing out on the showjumping circuit, finishing second in the 1.10m amateur championship on his debut at Hickstead in June. 

But he has stepped his jumping up a level recently and on Saturday (11 December) he landed his first international success, winning the CSI1* bronze tour accumulator on the Autumn MET (Mediterranean Equestrian Tour) in Spain. Oisin scored maximum points over the 1.30m fences, flying home 0.03sec faster than his closest challenger.

“I really enjoyed it!” Oisin told H&H. “I was told exactly where to go and how fast, so I just tried to ride to instructions. But it’s a great buzz – very different, but a great thrill all the same.”

The Derby-winning jockey was riding one of three new horses he has bought, nine-year-old mare Medusa Van De Kooldries, who was sourced by Oisin’s friend, Irish showjumper Richard Howley, and was previously ridden to CSI4* level by Nicole Pavitt. 

“I definitely have the right horse there!” said 26-year-old Oisin. “Richard found her specifically for the job and hopefully I’ll be able to do a bit more with her, just for fun.”

Oisin, who competed in jumping classes as a child before concentrating on his racing career, travelled to Oliva Nova in Spain for two weeks with no intention to jump as high as 1.30m. But the combination jumped double clear on their first attempt at 1.30 (shown in the video above), then took their win six days later.

“My ambition there was probably to jump the 1.10m and maybe the 1.20m the second week,” said Oisin. “But Richard pushed the boundaries a bit and Medusa was great.”

Oisin recently “swapped saddles” with Ben Maher, and the Olympic champion’s tips have obviously paid off. 

“That was very good fun, and what a gentleman Ben was. It was great to get an insight from him,” said Oisin.

So, with his first CSI success under his belt, does Oisin Murphy now consider himself a fully fledged international showjumper?

“I’m very much an amateur!” he said. “I did Hickstead in the summer on one of the Davenports’ horses called Tiger and that was really good fun but I just didn’t really have a chance again. So when Richard sourced Medusa, he said we’ll send her down to Spain and you can jump her there.

“But the plan is to do more – in January, wherever Richard goes, she’ll go in the lorry too. I’m really enjoying it.”

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Olympic gold medal-winning showjumper Ben Maher and three-time champion Flat jockey Oisin Murphy are both obviously experts in their respective fields, but they recently discovered what it was like to swap saddles when they sampled each other’s trade for a Great British Racing video.

First up was Ben Maher, who won individual Olympic gold on Explosion W at the Tokyo 2020 Games. Ben made the short trip from his own yard to the British Racing School in Newmarket to sample riding in a racing saddle.

Oisin joked “I like the way you’re still trying to put your heels down” once Ben was on-board.

Ben commented “that felt so fast to me” once he and Oisin had enjoyed a spin up the gallops, but admitted that it was “slow” compared to how fast horses usually travel within a race.

Oisin, who is currently enjoying a spot of showjumping on the Mediterranean Equestrian Tour in Spain, but who hasn’t done a great deal of competitive jumping due to his busy career on the Flat, then got on board a sport horse at the Peter O’Sullevan Arena in the centre of Newmarket.

After jumping around a course of fences, Ben jokingly asked Oisin “when do you retire from racing?”.

Reflecting at the end of both sessions, Ben says: “This morning’s been great – it’s been an experience. I’ve never really ridden racehorse on the tracks and I don’t live so far from Newmarket, so it was always something that I wanted to do. It was great to meet Oisin and see him riding a jumper.”

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Champion Flat jockey Oisin Murphy says he “can’t wait” to take on the showjumpers at the Al Shira’aa Jumping Championships at Hickstead next week (24-27 June).

The 25-year-old, who has been riding Lucinda Roche’s horses, and training with Lucinda and the likes of Richard Howley, is to take on the HY Equestrian 1.10m amateur championship at the All England Jumping Course.

“I just want to do it for fun,” he told H&H. “I like to ride as a hobby, and as an amateur — but to do it ok, that’s my whole point. It’s been a good thrill, and hopefully I won’t make too much of a laughing stock of myself at Hickstead!

“I just don’t want to miss, and land in the middle of a combination or something, but whichever horse I’m riding will probably be a schoolmaster, and I’ve ridden lots of different ones now so it should be really good fun.”

Oisin said a lot of his old friends showjump, such as Richard, David Simpson and Bertram Allen, and he follows their careers.

“We were all riding ponies at the same time and as I’ve got a bit older, I’ve been a bit more proactive in wanting to go and ride, and get lessons; David suggested it,” he said.

Oisin said it was not too difficult to transfer his Flat skills to the arena, with all his previous experience on ponies.

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“It probably hasn’t changed my race-riding, other than I’m more aware, cantering to post, if a horse is changing legs often, or if maybe the ground’s a bit too fast, but it’s like chalk and cheese,” he added.

“I can’t wait [for Hickstead]. They’ve given me a wild card to the final in the main ring; I’ve seen it on TV and been to watch a few times so that will be really good.”

Asked if his speed will mean no one will be able to touch him in a jump-off, Oisin said: “I think they will, I’d rather get round without making a show of myself. It’ll be fun.”

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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Dual champion jockey Oisin Murphy has been suspended for three months following a positive sample for metabolites of cocaine – but his explanation that he has never taken the drug has been accepted by officials.

Following a test at Chantilly racecourse on 19 July, the Irish jockey was told by France Galop on 19 August that his “A” sample had returned positive for the class A drug. On the same day Oisin arranged for an independent laboratory to undertake hair sampling, which came back negative for the drug, and denied ever taking the drug.

In a decision issued by the commissioners of France Galop on 27 November Oisin was told he had been found in breach of the rules and was suspended from riding for three months.

A spokesman for the Professional Jockeys Association (PJA) said in the decision the commissioners accepted Oisin’s explanation that he did not take cocaine and that the positive sample arose as a result of unintentional, environmental contamination – but he must serve a three-month suspension as the rules relating to prohibited substances operate on a strict liability basis, and he failed to avoid putting himself into a situation where contamination could occur.

In a statement Oisin thanked France Galop and the commissioners for a “fair” hearing and for accepting the evidence he presented.

“This evidence included my hair sample results – the results of which I am making public today – and an expert witness statement from an eminent toxicology and anti-doping expert,” he said.

“Whilst I am obviously disappointed that I will still have to serve a three-month suspension, I am pleased the commissioners accepted the evidence presented and am hugely relieved to have been cleared of taking cocaine.”

Oisin added he “respects” the rules and decision of France Galop, and will not be appealing the suspension.

“Despite my relief, I regretfully put myself in a situation whereby cocaine has been able to filter into my system through environmental contamination and must live with the consequences. As a professional sportsman I cannot put myself in a similar situation again,” he said.

“Even though I have been exonerated from taking cocaine, I would like to take this opportunity to apologise to Sheikh Fahad al Thani, David Redvers and Andrew Balding and thank them for their support. I also want to thank my legal team, particularly Florence Gaudilliere, who represented me in France, Rory MacNeice, the PJA, Johnno Spence and others who have advised and supported me throughout.”

Oisin also apologised to the Qatar Racing team, his owners, trainers, supporters, weighing room colleagues, commercial partners and Racing to School.

“The next three months will give me much time to reflect on my actions but I will learn from this experience and come back better and even more determined than before,” he said.

Article continued below…

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‘I’ll fight to clear my name’: champion jockey Oisin Murphy denies ever taking cocaine after positive drug test

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Trainer Andrew Balding said Oisin arrived at Kingsclere in 2012 and is “very much part of the Park House family”.

“I have been very proud to watch him thrive in the saddle but also as an ambassador for the sport,” he said. “Oisin is a kind, trustworthy and dedicated part of the team. I never doubted he was innocent but I know this will really hurt him and I will make sure we do everything to help him return as a stronger and better person.”

A spokesman for the British Horseracing Authority told H&H the organisation is a signatory to the international agreement between racing nations – and all signatories of this agreement must include within their rules a provision that suspensions incurred in recognised racing authorities must be reciprocated.

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Champion jockey Oisin Murphy has strongly denied ever taking cocaine after he tested positive for metabolites of the Class A drug — but an independent lab test was negative.

The Irishman, who was crowned British champion Flat jockey in October 2019 after riding 164 winners and heads the current championship, was selected for urine testing at Chantilly racecourse on 19 July.

The 25-year-old was told by France Galop on 19 August that his “A” sample had returned positive for metabolites of cocaine, which he denies ever taking.

“I have never taken cocaine in my life and I will do everything that I can to prove that I have not taken cocaine,” said Oisin.

“I want to thank those who are supporting me and in the meantime I want to keep riding winners and focus on my career. I will have no further comment to make and wish to respect the processes of France Galop.”

On the same day he received the news of his positive sample, Oisin arranged for an independent laboratory to undertake hair sampling in a bid to prove his innocence.

A statement from the Professional Jockeys Association said this was taken on 22 August and the collection process was filmed by the laboratory for authenticity.

“The laboratory analysed multiple 0.3cm segments of Oisin’s hair and on 26 August the results of the hair test returned completely negative for metabolites of cocaine, which was entirely expected as Oisin has never taken cocaine,” added the statement

“These results have been shared with France Galop and he awaits the results of France Galop’s analysis of his ‘B’ sample.”

Oisin was the youngest jockey for 13 years to take the British championship title last October, and leads this year’s campaign with 111 winners from 635 rides.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now