5 hours ago
9
Oisin Murphy was among the winners at Doncaster on Friday, with the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) confirming the multiple champion jockey can continue to ride ahead of his court date next week.
Murphy was charged on Thursday with two drink-driving offences following a car crash on April 27 which left a woman in her 20s in hospital with serious injuries.
It is alleged that he was over the prescribed alcohol limit and failed to cooperate when asked to give a preliminary test at the scene.
There has been little disruption to Murphy’s schedule since he was arrested at the scene in Hermitage, Berkshire where a grey Mercedes A Class smashed into a tree just after midnight.
The next day, he rode in five races at Windsor, picking up two wins and, last week, he had five winners at Royal Ascot.
Given he is the reigning champion jockey — a title he has won four times since 2019 — Murphy is much in demand and his wins in the last two months have been for figures including Sir Alex Ferguson and Michael Owen, Lady Lloyd-Webber and leading bloodstock operations Cheveley Park and Juddmonte.
Oisin Murphy has been charged in connection with a road-traffic crash in Berkshire last April
The 29-year-old had five winners at Royal Ascot and won again at Doncaster on Friday
Murphy has the honour of meeting the King after winning the King Charles III Stakes last year
On Friday, the BHA said there was nothing to prevent Murphy continuing to ride on an ongoing basis and he travelled to Doncaster for five mounts, winning the Doncaster Racecourse Supporting Racing Staff Week Handicap aboard the Andrew Balding-trained 8-13 favourite Displaying.
The four-time champion is due to be in action at York on Saturday where his six booked mounts include Formal in the Group Three Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Criterion Stakes.
Murphy, who leads the 2025 jockeys’ championship by 17 from nearest rival William Buick, is due to appear at Reading Magistrates' Court on July 3.
Murphy has not responded to requests for comment about the car crash since his arrest. Thames Valley Police said in a statement that: ‘It is vital people do not speculate on social media as this is a live investigation.’
