Champion jockey Oisin Murphy has been fined £70,000 after he admitted driving a car while drunk and crashing into a tree earlier this year.
Murphy, 29, of Beales Farm Road, Lambourn, Hungerford, was also banned from driving for a period of 20 months at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Thursday after he pleaded guilty to one count of driving a motor vehicle while over the prescribed limit of alcohol.
He was charged by postal requisition on June 19 after he drove his grey Mercedes A Class off the road and into a tree in Hermitage, Berkshire, at about 12.05am on April 27.
He had a passenger with him at the time, who was the owner of the car, the court heard. They were both taken to hospital after the crash.
Murphy was later discharged to take a breathalyser test at a police station at about 7am, which showed a reading of 66mg per 100 millilitres of breath.
This meant he was “just shy of twice above the drink-driving limit” at the time of driving, prosecutor Richard Atkins told the court.
He was subsequently interviewed by Thames Valley Police officers but was unable to confirm what had happened as he claimed he did not have a clear memory of the incident, the prosecution added.
Sporting a dark blue suit, white shirt, and tie, Murphy only spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and address before entering his guilty plea.
Judge Sam Goozee told Murphy he was taking two aggravating factors into account, adding: “Your vehicle was involved in a collision which indicates an impairment. You were also carrying a passenger.
“You are lucky that neither you, your passenger, or the public were injured by your actions.
“I do balance that with the remorse you have shown for your actions.
“You have also recognised that you have let the public down by virtue of your actions, and your colleagues in the racing world.”
Murphy’s defence barrister Alex Di Francesco offered the court an apology on behalf of his client.
Mr Di Francesco said: “He wants to apologise, first to his passenger, to the public and other road users… and he wants to apologise to those whom he works alongside with.”
Murphy received a £70,000 fine, with a £2,000 surcharge and £85 in costs.
The figure was calculated based on his annual earnings, which the court heard are in the region of £250,000 a year, in addition to a weekly salary of £1,250.
Murphy will also have to complete a drink-driving awareness course by August 13 2026, and will be able to reapply for a driving licence by November next year.
The British Horseracing Authority said Murphy will remain free to continue riding, but new conditions will likely be added to his licence as a result of his conviction.
“Everyone at the BHA, like all involved in our sport, is disappointed today having learned the details of the offence to which Oisin Murphy has pleaded guilty,” a spokesperson for the BHA said in a statement.
“This is a very serious offence that, in the course of being committed, saw Mr Murphy jeopardise not only his own safety but that of his passenger and all other people travelling on the roads at the same time as him that night.
“His conduct fell a long way short of the standard we expect of all licensed individuals, in whom we place trust that they will represent our sport to the best of their abilities, upholding our collective reputation and ensuring racing is a safe place for all.
“In light of Mr Murphy’s guilty plea and the information revealed in court today, we will be working on the addition of new conditions on his licence that may be referred to the Licensing Committee for their consideration.
“As has been the case in recent weeks, Mr Murphy remains free to take up his riding engagements.”
“We will issue an update on this process in due course and will be making no further comment at this time,” the BHA added.
