Oisin Murphy flies to US for Belmont Derby ride in wake of guilty plea for drink driving

Oisin Murphy heads Stateside on Friday, a day after pleading guilty at Reading Magistrates Court to driving over the legal alcohol limit, an offence which cost him a £70,000 fine and a 20-month ban from driving.

Murphy remains free to ride under the current terms of his licence with the BHA, and will be in upstate New York on Friday evening to partner New Century for his principal employer, Qatar Racing, in the Belmont Derby Invitational (10.45pm) at Saratoga. 

Murphy knows New Century well from the time the colt was trained in Britain by Andrew Balding, and will be hopeful he can take a step forward from his US debut.

The son of Kameko finished fifth behind Field Of Gold in the Craven Stakes on his final start for Balding before making a highly encouraging debut for Brendan Walsh when a fast-finishing third to Zulu Kingdom and the reopposing Test Score in the Grade 3 American Turf at Churchill Downs on May 3.

Oisin Murphy: pleaded guilty to driving over the limit for alcoholCredit: PA Images

New Century will renew rivalry with the sole British-based runner in the 1m1f Grade 1, the Charlie Fellowes-trained Luther, who finished half a length down when the pair were one-two in the Listed Stonehenge Stakes at Salisbury last August. 

Fellowes said: "We were closely matched last year in a race which I'm not sure was really run to suit us. I think this race will suit us a lot better."

A Listed winner at two, Luther has taken his form to a new level this season, running a close fourth to Henri Matisse in the French 2,000 Guineas before fading late on after racing prominently in the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly.

"We had a wide draw and unlike in the French Guineas, we weren't able to get in," said Fellowes. "The record in that race speaks for itself and if you get caught wide you're in real trouble.

New Century (maroon silks) and Luther (nearside) renew rivalry in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby InvitationalCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

"I'd say he had a really hard race in the Guineas as well and it was a relatively wide draw. I think lots of things contributed and while he was only beaten six lengths, I think he had valid excuses that day."

The $750,000 race is run over 1m1f, an intermediate trip on fast ground which could prove ideal in Fellowes's mind.

"I think conditions will really suit him," he said. "He'll have been there ten days, he's settled in great and has been a complete pro, so we're delighted with him."

Luther will be the mount of Kieran Shoemark who, along with Murphy, will be on the redeye back from New York ahead of important rides on Saturday’s card at Sandown.

With Godolphin’s retained rider William Buick choosing Ombudsman over Ruling Court, Murphy has received the call-up from Charlie Appleby to partner the 2,000 Guineas winner in the £1 million Coral-Eclipse (3.35).

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