Champion jockey Oisin Murphy is all smiles as he returns to racing just hours after mysterious car crash riddle

• Murphy was forced to miss Sunday’s races after being involved in an accident 
• The four-time champion jockey was back in the saddle on Monday afternoon 
• 29-year-old rode 13-8 favourite Sea Founder to victory at Windsor 

By JAMES COHEN and TAMARA PRENN

Four-time champion jockey Oisin Murphy was all smiles as he returned to racing on Monday afternoon after being involved in a car crash over the weekend. 

It’s believed that the crash occurred shortly after Murphy, 29, raced at Leicester on Saturday afternoon – where he won three times in the seven-race event. 

Many had expected Murphy to carry that form into Southwell’s event on Sunday however the 29-year-old was not present. 

A steward’s report from the British Horseracing Authority later claimed that Murphy missed the opportunity to partake in a further four races due to ‘travel issues’. 

Just one day later, however, Murphy was back in the saddle. 

The 29-year-old raced at Windsor’s circuit on Monday – where he was first on 13-8 favourite Sea Founder in the British Stallion Studs EBF Restricted Maiden Stakes.

Oisin Murphy was forced to miss races on Sunday after being involved in a car crash but returned to action on Monday

In action at Windsor Murphy won aboard Sea Founder as well as Tycoon (pictured) in the Kovara Klassic Maiden Stakes

A BHA steward’s report claimed Murphy missed the opportunity to race on Sunday due to ‘travel issues’ 

Prior to the first race of the afternoon, Murphy’s agent, Gavin Horne, told The Mirror: ‘All I know is Oisin had a car accident and that is it. He is fine and racing tonight.’

Murphy’s elegance in the saddle made him a star and enabled him to be crowned Champion Jockey three times in a row, from 2019 to 2021, as well as last year’s. 

However, the 29-year-old has served well-documented suspensions, one of 14 months for breaching Covid rules in 2020 and misleading the British Horseracing Authority. Another was for failing a breathalyser test. 

Reflecting on his suspension in an exclusive interview with Mail Sport last year, Murphy said: ‘When I was suspended, it was the first time in my life I ever thought about income. Before, I could never spend what I earned as I was working too hard.

‘Then, all of a sudden, I had no income; a mortgage and showjumpers (his passion outside racing) to pay for. I had money invested but I didn’t want to put my hand out – “I’ve tried to f*** up my career, I need my money because I have run out.”

‘There is a financial awareness now. In the first half of my career, I was never thinking more than a few weeks ahead. Now it’s a bit different.

‘My focus while I was banned was staying sober, putting my life back together and using the time to make sure I was ready for when the BHA gave me the green light to return.

:
Champion jockey Oisin Murphy is all smiles as he returns to racing just hours after mysterious car crash riddle

***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk