Champion jockey banned for alcohol and Covid breaches returns after 14 months

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    Jockey Oisin Murphy will return to the saddle on Thursday after serving a 14-month ban from the sport.

    The 27-year-old hasn't raced since November 2021, shortly before it emerged he was facing disciplinary charges brought by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA). It related to breaching Covid protocols in 2020 as well as failing two alcohol breathalyser tests the following year.

    Murphy, a three-time British champion jockey, later admitted to 'misleading or attempting to mislead the BHA or one of its employees' over his whereabouts during the Covid pandemic, as well as his two alcohol breaches. He was duly banned until February this year.

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    But now he'll return for a ride on the card at Chelmsford on Thursday after having his licence returned this month. The Irish jockey will partner the Mick Appleby-trained Jupiter Express in the second race of the day, the Winning Connections Networking Handicap.

    Broadcaster Chris Dixon helps run The Horse Watchers syndicate that owns Jupiter Express, said previous history wasn't going to stop them using a top jockey.

    "Mick was always going to support him, he's ridden plenty of winners for him over the years – and us – so when a top jockey is available we are not afraid to use them," he said.

    "We're happy to give him his first ride back. He's got a decent chance. He's been freshened up since his last run as he'd been a little busy and we'd aimed at this card ever since really."

    Following his appearance at Chelmsford, Murphy will ride in Qatar at the weekend before further Middle East meetings in Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

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