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‘Deeply Embarrassed’: Champion Jockey Oisin Murphy Relinquishes His License To Focus On Rehabilitation

Crowned Britain's Champion Jockey for a third straight year in October and winner of the Breeders' Cup Distaff aboard longshot Marche Lorraine in November, Oisin Murphy announced Thursday his decision to relinquish his racing license in order to focus on his rehabilitation, according to a statement released by the British Horseracing Authority. In 2021, a pair of racecourse incidents related to alcohol caused Murphy to be taken off his mounts for the day, and in 2020 a positive test for cocaine (blamed on a sex partner) saw the jockey handed a three-month ban.

“It became obvious to me and to everyone else that I needed to seek serious help,” Murphy's statement reads. “In recognition of this I have relinquished my license and will now focus on my rehabilitation.

“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 BHA's statement also details a breach of coronavirus protocols in September of 2020, resulting in the following alleged charges:

Breaches of Rule (J)24.6 of the Rules of Racing for misleading or attempting to mislead the BHA regarding his true location between 9 and 12 September;
Breaches of Rules (J)24.4 and (J)24.6 for accessing the racecourse in breach of the COVID-19 Requirements;
Breaches of Rule (J)19 for acting in a manner prejudicial to the proper conduct and good reputation of horseracing.

A hearing in front of an independent Disciplinary Panel to consider these charges was arranged for Friday, Dec. 10, but prior to the hearing the BHA received submissions from Murphy's legal team regarding his welfare, which were supported by medical evidence, and stated that Murphy had made a decision to relinquish his Flat Jockeys License whilst he engages fully with medical support.

Bearing these submissions in mind, it was agreed with Murphy's representatives that the proposed hearing would be postponed to take place at a later date, when it is deemed appropriate considering the welfare of Murphy.

These matters will also be heard at the same time as two cases regarding positive tests for alcohol returned from racecourses in 2021 by Murphy, as follows:

Breach of Rule (K)55 due to the presence of alcohol in urine sample exceeding permitted threshold at Chester racecourse on May 5, 2021.
Breach of Rule (K)55 due to presence of alcohol in breath samples exceeding permitted threshold at Newmarket on Oct. 8, 2021.

Tim Naylor, BHA Director of Integrity and Regulation, said:

“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.

“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 jockeys license, 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.”

Mr Murphy has asked that the following statement be relayed on his behalf:

“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 apologize.

“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 license 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 BHA and Murphy will not make any further comment on this matter, which remains an ongoing disciplinary process, until a hearing date is set.

The post ‘Deeply Embarrassed’: Champion Jockey Oisin Murphy Relinquishes His License To Focus On Rehabilitation appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Champion Jockey Oisin Murphy Taken Off Mounts After Failing Breath Test

Reigning champion British jockey Oisin Murphy was taken off his mounts Friday at Newmarket when he failed a breath test for alcohol, reports The Guardian.

He has been referred to the British Horseracing Authority's disciplinary panel, but a hearing will not be held until after the season concludes on Oct. 16 at Ascot.

Murphy, currently leading the jockey standings, already served a three-month suspension this year after testing positive for cocaine in July of 2020. It is the second breath test Murphy has failed; the first came in 2019 at Salisbury.

I was requested to take a breath test at Newmarket today. I blew under the drink drive limit but over the riding limit. I'm sorry to all the people I've let down today. I take full responsibility. I will be riding tomorrow.

— Oisín Murphy (@oismurphy) October 8, 2021

Benoit De la Sayette Possible For October Return

Jockey Benoit de la Sayette, who had been suspended after returning a positive test for cocaine in the spring, could return to the saddle in October after attending a British Horseracing Authority disciplinary panel on Thursday. De la Sayette was given a six-month ban backdated to April.

A rising star for the John and Thady Gosden yard after riding Haqeeqy (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) to a win in the Lincoln at Doncaster, a video circulated on social media of De la Sayette allegedly at a party in the presence of the drug after his win. At that time, the Professional Jockeys Association defended the young rider and denying the allegation that he “did not and does not take cocaine.” The video prompted the BHA to take urine and hair samples from De la Sayette on Mar. 31, which eventually resulted in his suspension on Apr. 17 after the hair sample came back positive. The Frenchman later admitted to taking the drug, but maintains that the video was from October 2019 and that he did not take the drug then or after winning the Lincoln.

At Thursday's hearing, Ciara McElvogue, representing the BHA, said the rider had admitted taking cocaine “around three or four times” between August 2020 and January 2021, after falling in with a “bad crowd” while living in Newmarket. However, the toxicology report indicated “the likely use of cocaine in the period of January to March” of this year. Although McElvogue stressed there was “no suggestion or evidence” that De la Sayette ever rode while under the influence of the drug and that the time period of drug use was estimated.

Tim Charlton QC, chairman of the panel, said he “misgivings about the fullness of the explanation you [De la Sayette] have given in the light of the expert evidence we have”, in regards to when De la Sayette ceased using the drug.

Charlton added, “Even though that expert evidence may not be something that we treat as gospel, it's not written in stone, this panel is nevertheless concerned about the fact that you have on the face of it been using cocaine after you had returned home.

“That's a possibility that the expert evidence opens and therefore being at home does not seem on that expert evidence to have cured the problem you had with the use of cocaine. That's a matter you will need to confront, perhaps, when you come before the licensing committee.”

The post Benoit De la Sayette Possible For October Return appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Australia: Two Arrested After Race-Fixing Probe

Two individuals have been arrested in Australia after a race-fixing probe, reports racing.com. Racing Victoria is among the three racing codes to have assisted the Victoria police's Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit, whose investigation was focused on “the alleged use of illegal substances in racing and corrupt betting practices, as well as the use, possession and trafficking of cocaine.”

The investigation remains ongoing, and both individuals were released in the afternoon pending further enquiry.

“Victorians are well known for their love of sport but equally they want to know that the playing field is fair and honest,” said Intelligence and Covert Support Command Superintendent Steve White. “I can assure the public that Victoria Police take matters of corruption in sport seriously. We will continue to work with our stakeholders to target, disrupt and apprehend people who commit these offences.”