Champion jockey Oisin Murphy has been charged with drink-driving and refusing to cooperate with a roadside test following a car crash earlier this year. The charges relate to an incident that occurred in the early hours of Sunday 27 April, when a grey Mercedes A Class left the road near Hermitage in west Berkshire and collided with a tree.
Murphy, aged 29, has been charged with driving a motor vehicle while over the legal alcohol limit and with failing to cooperate with a preliminary breath test at the scene. The charges were formally issued by postal requisition on 19 June.
Coincidentally, on the same day the charges were issued, Murphy enjoyed significant success at Royal Ascot, riding two winners Arabian Story in the Britannia Stakes and Never So Brave in the Buckingham Palace Stakes. Despite the charges, he has continued to compete actively and successfully on the racing circuit.
Murphy, who has won the title of champion Flat jockey four times between 2019 and 2024, is currently leading this season’s championship with 49 winners 17 more than his closest competitor. His form on the track has remained strong despite the ongoing legal matter.
The incident appears to have caused a brief disruption to his riding schedule. He rode a treble at Leicester on 26 April but missed his four booked mounts at Southwell the following day. The official stewards’ report for that meeting listed “travel issues for Murphy” as the reason for his absence. He returned to action the day after, on 28 April, riding two winners from five rides at Windsor.
Since then, Murphy has continued to deliver notable performances, including a Group One victory in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury aboard Lead Artist, trained by John and Thady Gosden. His five wins at Royal Ascot last week further cemented his place at the top of the current standings.
Looking ahead, Murphy is set for a busy weekend with five rides booked at Doncaster on Friday and six rides on a lucrative card at York on Saturday. The British Horseracing Authority has acknowledged the charges and stated it is currently gathering information to determine if any disciplinary action is necessary.
Murphy is scheduled to appear at Reading Magistrates’ Court on 3 July to face the charges.
