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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.

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Jaylan Clary Carrying On Her Father’s Legacy With Texas Horse Of The Year Mr Money Bags

Trainer Mike Neatherlin passed away last September due to complications from COVID-19, leaving his daughter Jaylan Clary to take over his Texas-based stable, including 2019 Texas Thoroughbred Association (TTA) Horse of the Year, Mr Money Bags.

Clary is still understandably emotional about the passing of her father.

“I was the only kid in the family who loved horses,” she explained. “Learning from my father was a blessing and I am pleased to take over his stable.”

Clary will have ten Thoroughbreds stabled at Sam Houston Race Park for the upcoming season, most notably Mr Money Bags. The 5-year-old son of Silver City won the GCFA Texas Bred Stakes in his final start for Neatherlin on Aug. 28, and has since run three times under Clary's name, adding two seconds and a win in the Zia Park Sprint Stakes to his resume.

“It was both an amazing and very sad year,” added Clary. “I am so grateful that (owner) Mrs. (Erma) Cobb stuck it out and we look forward to more success with Mr Money Bags. He and jockey Ernesto Valdez-Jiminez are part of our family.”

Mr Money Bags will make his 2022 stakes debut in the $75,000 H-Town Stakes on Feb. 19, but Clary hopes to get a prep for him prior to that seven furlong test.

Overall, Mr Money Bags' record stands at 11 wins, five seconds, and four thirds from 23 starts, with earnings of $574,376.

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Louis Cella Named To Equibase Management Committee

Louis A. Cella, the president of the Oaklawn Jockey Club, has been appointed to serve on the Management Committee of Equibase Company LLC, it was announced Wednesday by Equibase Company Chairman Ian D. Highet.

In 2017, Cella was named president of Oaklawn, succeeding his late father, Charles J. Cella, and became the third generation of his family to serve on the board of directors of the Thoroughbred Racing Associations of North America (TRA). Cella has also been a member of The Jockey Club since 2017 and serves as a director of the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau and on the board of trustees for the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.

Cella fills a board seat being vacated by Daisy Phipps Pulito, racing manager of the Phipps Stable, who joined the Equibase Management Committee as a representative of The Jockey Club in 2016.

“As someone involved in all aspects of Thoroughbred racing, Louis is not only passionate about our sport, but brings a vast knowledge and experience to this committee, and we look forward to his contributions,” Highet said. “Daisy's personal and professional involvement in Thoroughbred breeding and racing, as well as her background in sports and television, provided a valuable perspective to the committee, and we thank her for her service.”

The Equibase Management Committee is composed of members from each of the company's two general partners – The Jockey Club and the TRA. The TRA representatives are Peter Berube, Happy Broadbent, Christopher McErlean, David O'Rourke, Mike Rogers, and Josh Rubinstein. Besides Highet and Cella, The Jockey Club representatives are C. Steven Duncker, James L. Gagliano, Stuart S. Janney III, and Nick Nicholson.

Equibase Company is a partnership between subsidiaries of The Jockey Club and the Thoroughbred Racing Associations of North America and serves as the Thoroughbred industry's official database. Through its website and mobile applications, Equibase offers a comprehensive array of free statistical information as well as premium handicapping products and reports in support of the North American Thoroughbred racing industry. Additional information is available at equibase.com.

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NFL Legend, Savior Of West Virginia Horse Racing: Tribute Paid To Sam Huff At Memorial Service

“Sam Huff saved the Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry in West Virginia.”

That declaration was made by Ken Lowe, the chairman of the West Virginia Racing Commission, as approximately 150 friends and business acquaintances gathered Monday afternoon at the Middleburg Community Center in Middleburg, VA. to pay tribute to Robert Lee “Sam” Huff. The Pro Football Hall of Fame football player and Thoroughbred owner and breeder died Nov. 13, 2021 from complications of dementia in Winchester, VA.

Lowe was one of several speakers at the service, which was held just a few furlongs from the farm where Huff lived with his longtime partner Carol Holden.

Among them was J.W. Marriott, Jr., the 89-year-old executive chairman of Marriott International, who fondly recalled Huff's long association with the company as the vice president for special markets. He told the story about Huff's persistent request for one of the parking spots at Marriott headquarters that were reserved for Marriott board members.

Shortly after Mr. Marriott granted Huff's wish, several other vice presidents complained. So, Mr. Marriott told those who complained that those spots were reserved “for board members and anyone else in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.”

Leonard Shapiro, a former sports writer and editor at The Washington Post, who co-authored Huff's autobiography “Tough Stuff,” talked about Huff's upbringing in a coal mining camp near Farmington, WV.

Frank Herzog, one of Huff's longtime radio broadcast partners covering the Washington Redskins, shared tales of their time together in press boxes across the country. (Huff spent more than 30 years as a broadcaster for the team.)

Keith McIntosh, a regional representative for Sen. Joe Manchin III of West Virginia, also made some remarks to the attendees.

The 35^th edition of the West Virginia Breeders Classics, co-founded by Holden and Huff in 1987, was held Oct. 9, 2021. The event has now generated more than $29 million in purses for the breeders and horsemen of West Virginia. In recent years, Huff served as the chairman emeritus; Holden still serves as president.

Lowe read an official resolution honoring Huff from the West Virginia Racing Commission that read in part:

“Sam Huff's efforts grew the West Virginia Breeders Classics into a premier event, bringing local and national television coverage to showcase the State of West Virginia, Jefferson County, Charles Town and the hard working people of the racing and breeding industries of West Virginia…The West Virginia Racing Commission would like to issue this resolution in honor of Sam Huff for his support, contributions and unwavering dedication to the Thoroughbred racing industry, the West Virginia Racing Commission and the State of West Virginia.”

In addition to starting the West Virginia Breeders Classics, Huff and Holden co-hosted a syndicated weekly radio show called “Trackside” for many years on their Middleburg Broadcasting Network.

The service also featured a video highlighting Huff's coal mine experience, his popularity as a member of the New York Giants and the cover story on him in TIME magazine.

Also in attendance was trainer Graham Motion, who trained Huff's stakes-winning filly Bursting Forth.

The service concluded with some personal remarks from Huff's namesake and grandson Robert Lee Huff III and music provided by the Mount Pisgah Baptist Church's gospel chorus.

Contributions in Huff's name may be made to Aftercare Charles Town, PO Box 136, Ranson, WV 25438. The 501(c)(3) organization is responsible for rehoming Thoroughbred racehorses that have raced at Charles Town.

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