Oisin Murphy | Horse Racing Free Tips

‘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.

Source of original post

Breeders’ Cup Notes: Clement, Yahagi Get First BC Victories, Ward Wins Juvenile Turf Sprint For Third Consecutive Year

There were 14 World Championship races this weekend at Del Mar and no one main base of operations had a stranglehold on the victors.

Domestically, four winners were based in Kentucky, three in New York and two in California, European runners accounted for three victories and Japan posted its first two World Championships victories.

In all, six foreign-breds won Breeders' Cup races, a record for a single year. Plus, winning owners came from Japan, England, Ireland, South Korea, and the UAE.

The Kentucky-based winners were Twilight Gleaming (IRE) in the Grade 2 Juvenile Turf Sprint, Golden Pal in the G1 Turf Sprint, Aloha West in the G1 Qatar Racing Sprint, and Knicks Go in the G1 Longines Classic.

The New York-based winners were Echo Zulu in the G1 NetJets Juvenile Fillies, Pizza Bianca in the G1 Juvenile Fillies Turf, and Life Is Good in the G1 Big Ass Fans Dirt Mile.

The California-based winners were Corniche in the G1 TVG Juvenile presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and Ce Ce in the G1 Filly and Mare Sprint.

The European-based winners were Modern Games (IRE) in the G1 Juvenile Turf, Space Blues (IRE) in the G1 FanDuel Mile presented by PDJF ,and Yibir (GB) in the G1 Longines Turf.

The Japan-based winners were Loves Only You (JPN) in the G1 Maker's Mark Filly and Mare Turf and Marche Lorraine (JPN) in the G1 Longines Distaff.

Godolphin Becomes First Owner and Breeder to Win Three Races at One Championship

Godolphin, led by its prominent sire Dubawi (IRE), produced several firsts at the just-concluded Breeders' Cup World Championships at Del Mar.

With victories by Modern Games (IRE) in the G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, Space Blues (IRE) in the G1 FanDuel Breeders' Cup l Mile presented by PDJF, and Yibir (GB) in the G1 Longines Breeders' Cup Turf, Godolphin became the first owner and breeder to win three races at a single Championship and Dubawi (IRE) became the first sire to have three of his offspring win Breeders' Cup races in a single year.

Charlie Appleby trained all three winners and William Buick rode all three winners.

Irad Ortiz Jr. Wins Fourth Consecutive Bill Shoemaker Award

Irad Ortiz Jr., who rode three winners and added a second-place and three fourth-place finishes, won the 19th annual Bill Shoemaker Award given to the most outstanding jockey in the 2021 Breeders' Cup World Championships hosted by Del Mar.

Ortiz's victories came on Twilight Gleaming (IRE) in the G2 Juvenile Turf Sprint, Golden Pal in the G1 Turf Sprint, and Life Is Good in the G1 Big Ass Fans Dirt Mile. He finished second in the G1 Longines Turf on Broome (IRE).

William Buick also rode three winners, but had no other top-four finishes that formed the basis for the Shoemaker Award tiebreaker with jockeys riding an equal number of winners. Buick's wins came on Modern Games (IRE) in the G1 Juvenile Turf, Space Blues (IRE) in the G1 FanDuel Mile presented by PDJF, and Yibir (GB) in the G1 Longines Turf.

Joel Rosario and Jose Ortiz each rode two winners.

Rosario won aboard Knicks Go in the G1 Longines Classic and Echo Zulu in the G1 NetJets Juvenile Fillies and Ortiz was victorious on Pizza Bianca in the G1 Juvenile Fillies Turf and Aloha West in the G1 Qatar Racing Sprint.

Shoemaker remains the oldest jockey to ride a Breeders' Cup winner when he guided Ferdinand to victory in the 1987 Classic at Hollywood Park. He was 56 years, 3 months, and 2 days old at the time.

On Friday, Mike Smith recorded his record-enhancing 27th Breeders' Cup victory aboard Corniche in the G1 TVG Juvenile presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. Smith is a week younger than Shoemaker was when he rode Ferdinand to the 1987 victory.

Two Jockeys Claim Initial Breeders' Cup Victories

Yuga Kawada, who was making his Breeders' Cup debut, and Oisin Murphy, who was riding in his fifth World Championships, each posted their initial Breeders' Cup victories on Saturday.

Kawada scored with his second mount, Loves Only You (JPN) in the G1 Maker's Mark Filly & Mare Turf and Murphy won with his 11th overall mount, Marche Lorraine (JPN) in the G1 Longines Distaff.

Clement, Yahagi Notch First Breeders' Cup Victories

Christophe Clement saddled his first Breeders' Cup starter in 1997; Yoshito Yahagi saddled his first Breeders' Cup starter on Saturday.

By the end of the weekend, both trainers had added Breeders' Cup winner to their resumes.

Clement won with his 42nd starter when Pizza Bianca won the G1 Juvenile Fillies Turf on Friday.

Yahagi did him one better by winning with his first two starters: Loves Only You (JPN) in the G1 Maker's Mark Filly & Mare Turf and Marche Lorraine (JPN) in the G1 Longines Distaff.

Knicks Go, Golden Pal Claim Second Different Breeders' Cup Victory

Until this year's World Championships, only four horses had won two different Breeders' Cup races.

Add two more to the list.

Two 2020 winners at Keeneland came back in different races this year to return to the winner's circle in different races. Knicks Go, winner of the 2020 G1 Big Ass Fans Dirt Mile, scored a front-running victory in the G1 Longines Classic and Golden Pal, winner of the 2020 G2 Juvenile Turf Sprint, repeated his front-running performance to win the G1 Turf Sprint.

The other four winners were Zenyatta, 2008 Distaff and 2009 Classic; Beholder, 2012 Juvenile Fillies and 2013 and 2016 Distaff; Stephanie's Kitten, 2011 Juvenile Fillies Turf and 2015 Filly & Mare Turf; and Secret Circle, 2011 Juvenile Sprint and 2013 Sprint.

Ward Wins Juvenile Turf Sprint for Third Consecutive Year

The past three years, the Breeders' Cup World Championships have started with the G2 Juvenile Turf Sprint and for the past three years, Wesley Ward-trained runners have been the first to visit the winner's circle.

Twilight Gleaming (IRE) opened this year's event Friday afternoon with a half-length score to follow in the hoofprints of Four Wheel Drive in 2019 and Golden Pal in 2020.

Two other trainers besides Ward have won the same race in three consecutive years: D. Wayne Lukas, who did it twice, and Chad Brown.

Lukas won the Distaff in 1985, 1986, and 1987 with Life's Magic, Lady's Secret, and Sacahuista, respectively, and the 1986, 1987, and 1988 Juveniles with Capote, Success Express, and Is It True, respectively.

Brown won the Juvenile Fillies Turf in 2016, 2017, and 2018 with New Money Honey, Rushing Fall, and Newspaperofrecord (IRE), respectively. Bob Baffert won the Classic from 2014-2016 with Bayern, American Pharoah, and Arrogate.

Channel Maker, Firenze Fire Make Fifth Breeders' Cup Starts

A total of seven horses have made five starts in the Breeders' Cup World Championships with Channel Maker and Firenze Fire joining the club Saturday.

Channel Maker finished fifth in the Longines Turf, his fourth appearance in that race to go with a Juvenile Turf start in 2016 at Santa Anita.

Firenze Fire finished eighth in his third Sprint start. Previously he had run in the Juvenile and Dirt Mile.

Other five-year starters are Better Talk Now (all in the Turf), California Flag (all in the Turf Sprint), Kona Gold (all in the Sprint), Obviously (IRE) (four times in the Mile and once in the Turf Sprint), and Perfect Drift (all in the Classic).

Gun Runner 10th Classic Winner to Sire a Breeders' Cup Winner

When Echo Zulu won Friday's G1 NetJets Juvenile Fillies, she made 2017 Breeders' Cup Classic winner Gun Runner the 10th Classic winner to sire a Breeders' Cup winner.

The other Classic winners to have sired World Championships winners are A.P. Indy, American Pharoah, Awesome Again, Curlin, Ghostzapper, Pleasantly Perfect, Tiznow, Unbridled, and Wild Again.

[Story Continues Below]

Five Favorites Won Over the Weekend

Five favorites delivered victories from the 14 Championship races during the 2021 Breeders' Cup at Del Mar.

The winning favorites were Echo Zulu (G1 NetJets Juvenile Fillies), Corniche (G1 TVG Juvenile presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance), Golden Pal (G1 Turf Sprint), Life Is Good (G1 Big Ass Fans Dirt Mile), and Space Blues (IRE) (G1 FanDuel Mile presented by PDJF). Echo Zulu and Life Is Good were odds-on choices.

The highest price winner of the weekend was Marche Lorraine (JPN) in the G1 Longines Distaff with a $101.80 win mutual on a $2 bet.

The post Breeders’ Cup Notes: Clement, Yahagi Get First BC Victories, Ward Wins Juvenile Turf Sprint For Third Consecutive Year appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Marche Lorraine Prevails Over Dunbar Road By A Whisker To Steal Distaff

If Breeders' Cup viewers thought the finish of the Sprint, which featured a ding-dong battle between Aloha West and Dr. Schivel, was a nail-biter, Breeders' Cup Distaffers demonstrated we hadn't seen anything yet.

Top betting choices and hot early pacesetters Private Mission, Malathaat, and Shedaresthedevil were overcome midstretch by an arsenal of closers, including Marche Lorraine (JPN) and Dunbar Road scrapping in the final strides. It was Marche Lorraine, who had sat well off the pace early in the 1 1/8-mile contest, who fought her way through under British champion jockey Oisin Murphy, edging Dunbar Road by the narrowest of noses in the photo finish.

The race gave Japanese shippers their second victory of the day, after Loves Only You took the Filly and Mare Turf earlier in the afternoon, also running for trainer Yoshito Yahgi.

Letruska, who had been the heavy 8-5 favorite, had room to run but faded going into the final turn, finishing up tenth.

Malathaat hung on for third in another photo finish over Clariere.

Off at odds of 45-1, Marche Lorraine paid $101.80, $41.00, and $18.80.

Early fractions were blistering at :21.84, :44.97, 1:09.70, and 1:35.28, with a final time of 1:47.67.

U. Carrot Farm owns Marche Lorraine, who was bred in Japan by Northern Farm. The 5-year-old mare is the daughter of Orfevre and French Deputy mare Vite Marcher. She came to the race off a win in the Breeders' Gold Cup Stakes on Aug. 12 at Mombetsu. Earlier this year, she won both the nine-furlong Tck Jo-O Hai and the eleven-furlong Empress Hai. Marche Lorraine has found success on both turf and dirt, and has excelled on a variety of track conditions in her dirt races.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

The post Marche Lorraine Prevails Over Dunbar Road By A Whisker To Steal Distaff appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Breeders’ Cup Notes: International Squad, Turfers Stretch Their Legs

A busy morning on the Del Mar main track with all international horses training except Quick Suzy (IRE) who was not entered Monday for her intended run in the Juvenile Turf Sprint because of a spike in temperature.

Teona (IRE) (Turf) was the first European horse out on track who did some light exercise. She looked in very good form. The next group out were Audarya (FR) (Filly & Mare Turf) and Cachet (IRE) (Juvenile Fillies Turf) who both have taken the eye since landing in Del Mar.

The six Charlie Appleby-trained horses were on the track for the first time since clearing quarantine and exercised under the watchful eye of Appleby.

All horses looked in tremendous condition and reports from the Godolphin team have been very positive on all horses since touching down in California.

Kevin Ryan landed Monday night and was on track to watch both of his Turf Sprint contenders. Glass Slippers (GB) will be bidding to follow up her win in the race last year. She was ridden this morning by race day jockey Tom Eaves.

Eaves said, “It's great to be at the Breeders' Cup again. I sat on Glass Slippers for a light canter and she felt great. I just tracked Emaraaty Ana (GB) for a circuit and it went well. She's a superb filly and I'm really looking forward to the race on Saturday.”

Andrea Atzeni who takes the ride on Emaraaty Ana (GB) on Saturday was trackside to watch him exercise and said, “I'm going to ride Emaraaty Ana (GB) on the track tomorrow. It was great to see him exercise and he looked in great form. I've got a lovely draw on Saturday in gate two so hopefully we get a bit of luck in running and he runs a big race.”

Oisin Murphy, who was recently crowned champion jockey in the UK for the third consecutive year, rode exercise on Marche Lorraine (JPN) (Distaff) just before 7 a.m. They did a strong canter and exercise looked to go well.

Murphy said, “She's a nice horse and felt good. I'm very much looking forward to taking the ride. It's great to be in Del Mar and I've a few nice rides over the weekend. I will ride Hierarchy (IRE) (Juvenile Turf Sprint) tomorrow morning and I'm hoping to have a spin on Mise En Scene (GB) (Juvenile Fillies Turf) at some point before Friday as well.”

Tuesday was the first sighting of the Ballydoyle horses on track having completed their quarantine requirements. Aidan O'Brien has a team of seven horses who went out on track together led by Broome (IRE) (Turf) ridden by Dean Gallagher. The string was accompanied by a pony ridden by Rachel Richardson. They had a trot for a circuit of the track followed by a light canter. Bolshoi Ballet (IRE) (Turf) who sat third in the string looked in particularly good form having some playful bucks during his canter down the backstretch.

Michael Bell was another British trainer to be trackside to watch Great Max (IRE) (Juvenile Turf) have a canter in the hands of regular work rider Joe Bradnam. Great Max (IRE) had a good look around his surroundings during exercise but seemed in good order.

Bell said, “It's tremendous to be back over for the Breeders' Cup. It is an amazing race meeting and I'm delighted to be part of it with Great Max. Joe Bradnam seems happy with him so it's all systems go.”

Connections of Rougir (FR) (Filly & Mare Turf) were trackside having made the trip over from France. The same connections recently won the Champion's Stakes at Ascot and will be hoping for more Grade 1 glory on Saturday. Trainer Cedric Rossi reported his filly to be “in great form.”

Irish trainer Paddy Twomey was overseeing the training of his filly Pearls Galore (FR) (Mile).

Twomey said, “Pearls Galore traveled over well, she's settled into the routine here lovely and enjoying the training. She's cantered on the track the last two days, everything has gone well, we're looking forward to Saturday. Del Mar is a lovely track, the turf will be quick and it'll suit her. She's nibble, neat and tidy and I think she'll deal with the demands of the track very well on the day.”

Matera Sky (Sprint) and Jasper Great (Juvenile) were two of the final international horses to go out for exercise. They had a canter and returned to the quarantine barn via the paddock. They took everything in their stride and looked very relaxed.

TURF

Gufo – Otter Bend Stables has made it to the Turf with its first and only runner, Gufo, a homebred son of Declaration of War colt who never has been worse than third in 13 career starts.

For owner and co-breeder Stephen Cainelli, it is something of a “how do you top this?” situation. Winning the $4 million Turf certainly would elevate the already engaging story to another level and give veteran trainer Christophe Clement his first Breeders' Cup victory.

Gufo earned his berth in the Turf with a victory by a neck over Japan in the Sword Dancer a “Win and You're In” race on Aug. 28 at Saratoga Race Course. In his most recent start, he was third in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic on Oct. 9 at Belmont Park. He shipped from New York to Del Mar Sunday with his three Clement stablemates headed to Breeders' Cup races.

“He had a very good day of training this morning,” said Christophe Lorieul, Clement's assistant for 27 years. “He galloped an easy mile. He was very willing, very forward but within himself. I really liked the way he went this morning.”

Gufo and regular rider Joel Rosario drew post 11 in the 14-horse Turf and is 8-1 on the morning line.

“It's not great, but it's a mile and a half and he's got time to try to tuck him and try to save some ground,” Lorieul said. “Obviously, on the turf going a mile and a half that's what you want. It's not ideal, but that's why Joel Rosario gets paid the big bucks.”

MILE

Mo Forza — Bardy Farm and OG Boss's seven-time graded stakes winner Mo Forza is on a mission to make up for lost opportunities in this year's Breeders' Cup Mile. Last year, on the back of two strong victories in the Del Mar Mile and City of Hope Mile, the son of Uncle Mo was one of the favorites for the Mile before injury derailed the Peter Miller trainee's preparation. This season, the 5yo winner of the 2019 Hollywood Derby returns to the same Del Mar surface as that triumph for his redemption attempt.

“He's training really great,” Miller said. “Today we gave him about a mile and a half jog and schooled him in the gate and then schooled him in the paddock.”

Mo Forza, who eclipsed $1 million in prize money by winning the same two preps this season, drew post six in the 14-horse field and could be making his final career start.

“I like the post,” Miller said. “I think there's plenty of pace and it should string everyone out. We should be sitting midpack, but there's no real strategy other than to hope for a good trip. Del Mar takes a certain kind of horse who can handle the turns, the short stretch and the firm going — and if you have that horse, you're in good shape here.”

Flavien Prat, who has piloted Mo Forza through the four-race win streak he carries into the Mile, returns to the saddle Saturday.

TURF SPRINT

Gear Jockey – Calumet Farm's homebred Gear Jockey, the 5-1 co-second choice for the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, jogged once around under exercise rider Lyndsay Delello for trainer Rusty Arnold.

“He shipped well with no issues,” Arnold said of Gear Jockey, who arrived at Del Mar late Monday night from Kentucky.

Third as a maiden in the Juvenile Turf at the 2019 Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita, Gear Jockey will break from post 10 under Jose Lezcano in Saturday's race.

The post Breeders’ Cup Notes: International Squad, Turfers Stretch Their Legs appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post