Champion jockey Murphy fined £70k for drink driving

Oisin Murphy, the reigning champion jockey, was found guilty of drink driving after smashing his car into a tree and was fined £70,000.

On April 27, Murphy’s Mercedes A Class in Hermitage, Berkshire, abruptly left the road at around 00:05 BST.

Prior to that, he admitted driving while over the permitted alcohol limit in Reading Magistrates’ Court.

On another count of not cooperating with a preliminary roadside test, he was not asked to enter a plea.

Murphy will need to reapply for his license from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) after receiving a 20-month suspension for driving.

If he participated in a drink-drive rehabilitation program by August 2026, his driving ban could be shortened by 20 weeks.

Murphy, who was the car’s owner, was traveling with him at the time of the collision, the court was told. Following the collision, they were both taken to a hospital.

A police station breathalyser test revealed a reading of 66 mg per 100 milliliters of breath, which is less than twice the legal limit, and Murphy was later released.

Murphy was sentencing judge Sam Goozee, who said, “You are fortunate that neither you, your passenger, nor the public were hurt by your actions.

I do strike a balance between the regrets you’ve shown.

You also acknowledged that you, along with your racing colleagues, have let the public down as a result of your actions.

Murphy would continue riding after his conviction, according to the British Horseracing Authority (BHA). However, his license may be subject to additional requirements.

According to a spokesperson, “His conduct fared far below the standard we demand of all licensed individuals, in whom we place faith that they will represent our sport to the best of their abilities.”

“This is a very serious offence that, while being committed, put Mr. Murphy at risk of harming both his own safety and that of his fellow passengers on the same road that night.

They promised to update his license “in due course.”

Murphy, who was born in Killarney, County Kerry, has won four titles as the UK jockey in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2024.