Champion jockey Oisin Murphy has had his return from a three-month riding ban delayed as he has not completed the requisite BHA testing in time to take up his booked rides today (Friday) at Lingfeld.
Early on Friday morning, Murphy announced via two tweets that he had been made aware of an “administrative error” which prevented his immediate comeback from a suspension after he tested positive for metabolites of cocaine when riding at Chantilly in July 2020.
He said, “At 18.50 yesterday I was personally informed by the BHA due to an administrative error I will not be able to partner my rides at Lingfield today and Chelmsford on Saturday. I'm currently looking into this situation with the BHA and I plan to be back on the racetrack as soon as I possibly can. I apologise profusely to all the owners, trainers and supporters who I'm having to let down at such late notice. It's 128 days since my last ride in the UK.”
A subsequent statement released by the BHA outlined the requirement for jockeys returning from a suspension of this kind to undergo a course of testing and to be confirmed safe to ride by the BHA's chief medical advisor.
It read, “On 22 February Mr Murphy contacted the BHA about his intended return to race riding. The BHA liaised with him and the PJA from this point onwards, including in regards to his testing requirements.
“On 2 March Mr Murphy was reminded of the requirements and that it is his responsibility to complete the necessary tests before a return to riding. As of 12 March Mr Murphy is only part way through his reinstatement testing and he is therefore unable to ride at this point.”
Murphy was handed his suspension by France Galop in late November just weeks after being crowned champion jockey in Britain for the second time. The ban was considered lenient for such an offence, which ordinarily would warrant a suspension of at least six months, but the France Galop stewards accepted a hair test and testimony from Murphy that he had not taken cocaine himself but had been contaminated during an encounter with someone he subsequently discovered to be a user.
As is usual practice, the ban was reciprocated by the BHA and the jockey was stood down from riding from Dec. 11 last year. It is understood that Murphy has completed three of the four urine tests required before he can race ride again. He responded to the BHA statement with a further message on Twitter.
He said, “Please note I can't arrange testing personally. Only the BHA have the ability to do so. I've been available and completed all the tests thus far.”
Murphy is currently booked for three rides at Newcastle on Tuesday.
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