Oisin Murphy’s return to racing after three-month cocaine ban is halted by ‘administrative error’ at the BHA… as jockey reveals that he WON’T be riding in any of his planned eight races across Friday and Saturday
- Oisin Murphy’s return to racing has been delayed by an admin error
- The two-time champion jockey served three-month ban for positive cocaine test
- Suspension was reduced to three months by France Gallop after an appeal
- Irishman was due for eight races across Lingfield and Chelmsford this weekend
Champion jockey Oisin Murphy’s return to action at Lingfield on Friday following a three-month suspension has been delayed due to an ‘administrative error’.
The Irishman was handed a ban by France Galop in November after producing a positive urine test for metabolites of cocaine.
Murphy strenuously denied taking the drug and, after a hearing by racing’s governing body, his defence of environmental contamination from a sexual encounter and scientific hair test evidence was accepted.
Oisin Murphy’s return to racing this weekend following three-month suspension for a positive test for cocaine use has been delayed due to an ‘administrative error’
The two-time champion was due to take up three races on Friday and a further five at Chelmsford on Saturday, but revealed on Twitter his return would not be happening this weekend.
‘At 6.50 yesterday I was personally informed by the BHA that due to an administrative error I will not be able to partner my rides at Lingfield today and Chelmsford on Saturday’, said Murphy.
‘I’m currently looking into this situation with the BHA and I plan to be back on the racetrack as soon as I possibly can. I apologise profusely to all the owners, trainers and supporters who I’m having to let down at such late notice. It’s 128 days since my last ride in the UK.’
The two-time champion was due for eight races across Lingfield and Chelmsford this weekend
Murphy recently revealed he considered quitting the sport following the fall-out from his failed drugs test.
He would have normally been looking at a six-month ban, but France Galop were satisfied at his defence using a B sample and his testimony that he was contaminated after a sexual encounter with someone he later discovered to be a user.
Despite always denying having ever taken the drug Murphy told BBC Sport in December he had witnessed cocaine being used the night before travelling to France.
His ban was limited to only three months after a defence was accepted by France Galop
Murphy said: ‘I became aware of a situation where cocaine was present in my environment and I saw it there and didn’t remove myself from that situation immediately.
‘When you sign for your jockey’s licence every year you have got to abide by the rules.
‘That was my error, and I very much have no self-pity. I made a mistake and I’ve got to live with the consequences.
‘I got up the next morning and went to France and thought nothing of it. But I should have thought much more of it, and that was the block I have stumbled on.’