World of racing rocked as champion jockey Oisin Murphy fails drugs test

Champion jockey Oisin Murphy has come out fighting after it was revealed he is facing a six-month ban from the sport after testing positive for cocaine.

The news comes as a huge bombshell for racing, with one of their star names facing a lengthy suspension if found guilty, but Murphy was quick to release a statement insisting he has never taken the Class A drug in his life.

The positive test came in July at a race meeting in France, and Murphy immediately sought to undertake hair sampling at an independent laboratory in a bid to prove his innocence.

Oisin Murphy could face a six-month ban from racing after failing a drugs test for cocaine

Murphy, pictured riding at Newmarket last weekend, failed the test in France in July

Speaking after the news was announced, Murphy said in an official statement: ‘I have never taken cocaine in my life and will fight to clear my name. I want to thank those who are supporting me and in the meantime I want to keep riding winners and focus on my career.’

In addition, the champion jockey told Sportsmail: ‘The test results came back a month after the test. I couldn’t believe it so had a hair sample done that was recorded on camera. That has come back completely negative and the B sample hasn’t been tested yet.

‘Until that has been tested I don’t know where I stand. I hope it is negative. I have known about this but it is a slow process. I have ridden two group one winners in this period. I will keep my head down and keep riding.’

Top jockey Murphy celebrates after winning on ‘Alcohol Free’ at Newmarket last weekend

Murphy is now waiting on the results of a B sample, but if found guilty he could face a huge ban from the sport.

There is a chance Murphy could then appeal a guilty verdict, which means any decision on a ban will be delayed until after British Champions Day on October 17.

That would leave British racing chiefs in a difficult position, with the rider then potentially lifting a trophy at Ascot under a cloud.

The Irishman is one of racing’s biggest stars, and was crowned champion apprentice in his first full season of racing back in 2014.

Frankie Dettori is another jockey who has previously be handed a drugs ban after a failed test

He won 168 rides in 2019 and was crowned Champion Jockey.

Murphy would not be the first high-profile jockey to face a drugs ban, following on from Frankie Dettori and Kieren Fallon. 

Fallon was slapped with a six-month ban in 2006 and then an 18-month ban in 2008 following a second failed test, while Dettori was sidelined for six months after a registering a positive sample in 2012.

In 2017, Robert Havlin was also handed a lengthy ban, spending nearly 10 months out of the saddle after a failed drugs test in France.