'I've let people down' - champion Murphy apologises after failed breath test

Champion jockey Oisin Murphy apologised "to all the people I've let down" after he was prevented from taking his rides at Newmarket on Friday following a failed pre-racing breath test for alcohol.

Murphy, 26, is on course to be crowned champion Flat jockey for a third time at Ascot next weekend, although his chief rival William Buick closed the gap to nine winners with a double on Friday.

Stewards stood Murphy down before he was due to take the first of his five mounts at Newmarket, which included leading fancy Mise En Scene for his retainer Qatar Racing in the Group 1 Filies' Mile, won by Inspiral.

Shortly before the official announcement, Murphy took to Twitter to explain his absence, and wrote: "I was requested to take a breath test at Newmarket today. I blew under the drink drive limit but over the riding limit. I’m sorry to all the people I’ve let down today. I take full responsibility. I will be riding tomorrow."

Murphy was previously forced to miss his rides at Salisbury in June 2019 having failed a breath test for alcohol. The alcohol limit for jockeys is set at 20 micrograms per 100ml of breath, whereas the UK driving limit is 35 micrograms per 100ml.

He was also suspended for three months this year after his urine sample tested positive for metabolites of cocaine in a drugs test in France in July 2020.

BHA rules regarding failed breathalyser tests require riders to be stood down for a first offence. A second failure can result in a riding ban of up to 21 days if the offences take place within a 24-month period.

A statement from the BHA said: "An inquiry was held following a report from the Equine Welfare Integrity/Collection Officer that Oisin Murphy, who was declared to ride Fiorina, had failed a breathalyser test prior to the race.

"Murphy, the Equine Welfare Integrity/Collection Officer, and Raceday Assistant were interviewed. Having heard their evidence, the matter was referred to the BHA for further consideration, and Murphy was stood down for the remainder of the day."

Rule K (55): substances prohibited on raceday — alcohol

1st offence: 20-38* micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath or at or above 54 mgms per 100ml in urine (the ‘lower level’). Penalty, stood down for the day and refer to BHA

1st offence: 39* and upwards mgms per 100ml of breath or 108 and upwards mgms per 100ml of urine (the ‘upper level’): 28-60 day ban from riding, entry point 40 days

2nd offence (within 24 months) lower level (if 1st offence was lower level): 7-21 day ban, entry point ten days

2nd offence (within 24 months) lower level (if 1st offence was upper level): 7-21 day ban, entry point 14 days

3rd offence (within 36 months) upper level or lower level: 60-180 day ban, entry point 90 days

*These figures take account of the error factor in the equipment used for determining alcohol levels

Despite missing his rides on the Rowley Mile, Murphy retains a comfortable lead over William Buick at the top of the Flat jockeys' championship with 147 winners, with the title race set to culminate on Champions Day at Ascot next Saturday.

The champion jockey was also involved in a scare at Salisbury last week when a horse bolted in the paddock and sent him into plastic railings, requiring him to go to hospital.

Oisin Murphy Saturday rides

1.10 Newmarket: American Star

1.45 Newmarket: Berkshire Rebel

2.20 Newmarket: Imperial Fighter

2.55 Newmarket: Berkshire Shadow

3.35 Newmarket: Buzz

4.10 Newmarket: Tenaya Canyon

4.45 Newmarket: King Vega

Read more on Oisin Murphy:

Oisin Murphy receives three-month ban after French cocaine positive

Oisin Murphy: I made a massive error and need to put things right

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