Oisin Murphy crowned champion jockey as Buick comes up short at Newcastle

Oisin Murphy has been crowned champion jockey for the second time after William Buick ran out of chances to catch him at Newcastle on Friday evening.

Murphy, 25, had his last rides of the British season at Southwell on Tuesday before heading to Keeneland for the Breeders' Cup, giving Buick hope that he could catch up with his rival out of the picture.

However, his hopes of overhauling Murphy were dealt a severe blow when Thursday evening's card at Kempton was postponed after three races due to fog when an on-form Buick had already ridden a double.

That left the 32-year-old on 133 wins for the season, nine behind Murphy, and required him to land another double at Newcastle to keep the race alive ahead of the Flat season finale at Doncaster on Saturday.

When his first three rides Mustarrid, Frow and Strong Steps all came up short, it left Murphy with an unassailable lead atop the standings.

William Buick: needed at least a double at Newcastle to keep the race to be champion jockey aliveCredit: Getty Images

After claiming his maiden champion jockey crown last year, Murphy has had another stellar campaign and rode his 1,000th British winner at Southwell in October.

'Hopefully I ride 1,000 more': Oisin Murphy still hungry after milestone win

Murphy's seasonal tally of 142 wins came from 807 rides and included a first British Classic triumph aboard Kameko in the Qipco 2,000 Guineas as well as two more Group 1 successes on Dream Of Dreams in the Betfair Sprint Cup and Alcohol Free in the Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes.

The championship, which usually runs from Guineas weekend until British Champions Day in October, was extended by three weeks this year after the coronavirus pandemic delayed the beginning of the season.

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