Oisin Murphy left needing stitches after frightening parade ring incident

Champion jockey Oisin Murphy escaped with stitches to his lip and face after being thrown into the rail in a frightening incident in the paddock at Salisbury on Thursday.

Murphy, who is booked to ride Japanese contender Chrono Genesis in Sunday's Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, was aboard juvenile debutant Oasis Gift when the horse took off across the parade ring.

The rider was then dislodged from the saddle as the horse jinked by the exit of the paddock, sending Murphy into and through the plastic railings and fences surrounding the enclosure.

Murphy was swiftly attended to and treated before walking into the ambulance, where he was taken to hospital. He was replaced on his two remaining rides while Oasis Gift was caught and unharmed.

He was released from hospital on Thursday afternoon and tweeted: "Thanks to all the medical staff. I've had a few stitches to my lip and face."

Murphy later confirmed he would return to action on Friday at Ascot, where he has four rides. He said on Thursday evening: "I’m all good. These things happen. I’ll be back in the saddle at Ascot tomorrow. Taking it easy this evening."

Jeremy Martin, Salisbury's clerk of the course, said after the incident: "He was obviously thrown into the parade ring rail but remained conscious. He's got a cut lip, but he remained conscious and the doctor said he scored full marks in the concussion test.

"He walked to the ambulance after a few minutes of being assessed on the ground and he's just gone off to hospital to be checked over.

"The horse then ran loose for a few minutes so he's obviously none the worse but thankfully it looks like Oisin has avoided more serious injuries so we're very thankful."

A two-time champion, Murphy led title rival William Buick by ten winners at the start of racing on Thursday. The season concludes on Qipco British Champions Day at Ascot on October 16.

How the incident unfolded

Newcomer Oasis Gift takes off in the parade ring before his debut at Salisbury

The juvenile debutant is no mood for stopping under champion jockey Oisin MurphyCredit: RacingTV

Oasis Gift heads towards the railings in the parade ring under a helpless MurphyCredit: RacingTV

Murphy is dislodged from his mount and begins to head towards the railings and fencingCredit: RacingTV

Murphy is thrown towards the railings by his unruly mount, who then starts to run looseCredit: RacingTV

Murphy, who is reported to have suffered facial injuries, attempts to grab the plastic railCredit: RacingTV

Murphy's mount crashes through the rails with the champion jockey injuredCredit: RacingTV

Prior to riding at Salisbury, Murphy had been in France on Wednesday when he partnered Chrono Genesis for the first time in her final workout before Sunday's Arc.

The mare was one of 15 horses declared on Thursday to run at the weekend and is rated a 9-1 chance by bookmakers.

Oasis Gift's dam Siren's Gift was involved in a similar incident in 2006 when she was withdrawn from her intended debut at Bath having thrown off jockey Martin Dwyer, who subsequently needed to pass the racecourse doctor on the morning he partnered Sir Percy to victory in the Derby.

In 2013, Frankie Dettori was forced to miss the ride on Treve when he fractured his ankle in a fall at Nottingham five days before the Arc.

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