Sports Then and Now

The news must have come like a tonne of bricks for Champion Jockey Oisin Murphy. A three-month ban from racing, due to testing positive for cocaine, has thrown his 2020-21 season into jeopardy and sent shockwaves through the sport of horse racing.

An investigation into the positive test found that Murphy had not taken cocaine himself, but had had relations with a woman whom it was discovered was an occasional cocaine user. As a result, the ban was for three months, when previously riders have been given six-month suspensions for similar offences.

“I am pleased the commissioners accepted the evidence presented and am hugely relieved to have been cleared of taking cocaine,” Murphy said. “Despite my relief, I regretfully put myself in a situation whereby cocaine has been able to filter into my system through environmental contamination and must live with the consequences. As a professional sportsman I cannot put myself in a similar situation again.”

It’s a disappointing setback for the 25-year-old jockey, who has enjoyed a fine blossoming career in the sport over the last few years. Murphy’s 142 winners in 2020 was enough to claim Champion Jockey for a second year running, having also earned the accolade with 160 winners in 2019, and he is a frequent favourite on the betting exchange sites. For a rider of such immense quality, it’s a shame to see his young career stalling as a result of this kind of controversy.