Top European jockey Oisin Murphy could face a long suspension after a urine test taken from the rider in France this summer was found to contain cocaine metabolites. Murphy said France Galop has indicated the positive came from the authority's A test and that its B test (split sample) results have not yet been released to him.
Murphy has subsequently had hair tests done which have not found the presence of cocaine, and he maintains he has not taken the drug.
Hair tests are primarily used to look for the presence of substances over a longer period of time than blood or urine tests and are not generally thought of as any more sensitive than blood or urine tests.
Previously, riders testing positive for cocaine by the authority have faced bans of six months.
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Murphy released the following statement about the situation via his Twitter profile on Oct. 1:
“On July 19, 2020 Oisin Murphy was selected for urine testing at Chantilly racecourse. On Aug. 19 he was informed by France Galop that his “A” sample had returned positive for metabolites of cocaine.
On the same day, Oisin organized for an independent laboratory to undertake hair sampling to prove his innocence. The hair sample was taken on Aug. 22 with the collection process filmed by the laboratory for authenticity.
The laboratory analyzed multiple 0.3 cm segments of Oisin's hair and on Aug. 26 the results of the hair test returned completely negative for metabolites of cocaine, which was entirely expected as Oisin has never taken cocaine. These results have been shared with France Galop and he awaits the results of France Galop's analysis of his “B” sample.
Oisin Murphy said: 'I have never taken cocaine in my life and will fight to clear my name. 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 process of France Galop.'”
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