What now for Oisin Murphy? Five points for jockey’s future as 14-month ban could see him sacrifice £4million in winnings
RACING has been rocked by champion jockey Oisin’s Murphy’s 14-month ban and £30,000 fine. The 26-year-old Irishman pleaded guilty to all five charges brought against him, including Covid breaches and failed breath tests. Champion Flat jockey for three straight years, Murphy has swept all before him during a period of sustained excellence. And he’s done […]
RACING has been rocked by champion jockey Oisin’s Murphy’s 14-month ban and £30,000 fine.
The 26-year-old Irishman pleaded guilty to all five charges brought against him, including Covid breaches and failed breath tests.
Champion Flat jockey for three straight years, Murphy has swept all before him during a period of sustained excellence.
And he’s done so bagging a fortune in the process.
Jockeys of course only keep a portion of the cash they win, but Murphy has been a money-making machine, winning more than £4million in three of the past four years.
But now he must get his life in order before he even dreams of riding another winner.
Here, Sun Racing looks at five key points for Murphy’s future.
1) Control the boozing
Murphy said the pressures he was under led to his drinking ‘spiralling out of control’.
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No one is saying he has to kick alcohol into touch completely, but the fact that he recalled Andrew Balding giving him a ‘bol****ing’ for his breath smelling of alcohol shows it was seeping into his professional life.
Murphy said at his disciplinary hearing: “Some jockeys deal with things by going home and playing the Playstation, I go home, watch all the replays, scrutinise everything and drink a bottle of wine or a bottle of vodka.”
Hopefully now that becomes a thing of the past.
2) Forget titles
It’s clear Murphy needs to get his life back on track.
That is easier said than done, especially when dominating on the racecourse has been your be all and end all for three years.
Bookies already have William Buick – who finished second to Murphy last season – the 1-2 fav to be champ in 2022.
It will be hard for Murphy to let go, but there are more important things for now.
3) Remember what’s important
Murphy has been lucky that so many in the sport have stood by him during what can only be called a devastating personal and professional low.
Just last month he spoke about repaying those who have shown faith in him, and rebuilding relationships that have soured.
Murphy has his girlfriend Lizzy Nielsen, daughter of Stradivarius owner, who can help him.
And Qatar Racing boss Sheikh Fahad is another firmly in his corner.
A shoulder to cry on, a kick up the bum, whatever he needs, Murphy has those willing to give it.
4) Learn from what’s happened before
Murphy spoke after his drug test positive about how important Frankie Dettori had been in encouraging him not to give up.
Let’s hope Dettori’s words have not fallen on deaf ears.
For he is just the man to show that reaching the pinnacle once again after being in exile is more than possible.
5) Show some humility
Murphy freely admits he is not proud of his behaviour.
But we have been down this road with sport’s top stars before.
Many are accused of arrogance, aloofness and thinking they can do as they please.
James O’Mahony, the panel chair, told Murphy: “You thought you were above the rules and the law. However high you are, you are not above those. They apply to all.”
Words to live by.
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