'Where's the common sense?' - Richard Hughes frustrated after BHA blocks Irish apprentice from riding in Britain

Richard Hughes has questioned a "lack of common sense" after the BHA blocked apprentice Donagh Murphy from riding until he has completed a two-week course in Britain despite having already qualified at Ireland’s racing academy.

Murphy moved to Hughes’s Lambourn yard in an attempt to get more riding opportunities and was initially in a position to ride on his Irish licence, which was held by Mick Halford.

However, when Hughes went to book Murphy on a mount this week at a rider-restricted meeting he was informed that' following Halford’s retirement this month, the apprentice was no longer able to operate on his Irish licence. Instead, he would have to be licensed in Britain or find a new trainer in Ireland to hold his licence.