Champion Jockey Oisin Murphy Fined and Banned for Drunk Driving Incident

Oisin Murphy, a renowned 29-year-old champion jockey, has faced serious legal consequences after admitting to driving under the influence, resulting in a significant collision with a tree. At Reading Magistrates’ Court, Murphy was issued a hefty £70,000 fine and a driving disqualification lasting 20 months for his actions during a fateful incident that occurred on April 27.

The court was informed that Murphy was behind the wheel of his grey Mercedes A Class when he lost control and crashed around midnight in Hermitage, Berkshire. Alongside him was the car's owner as a passenger; both were hospitalized due to the crash. After the accident, Murphy underwent a breathalyser test at around 7 am which revealed a reading of 66mg of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, indicating he was nearly twice over the legal drinking limit for drivers.

During the court proceedings, Murphy, dressed in formal attire, offered only basic personal information and entered a guilty plea. The presiding judge, Sam Goozee, expressed that Murphy was fortunate not to have caused any injuries to himself, his passenger, or the general public while also acknowledging the remorse shown by the jockey for his reckless behavior. Murphy’s defense attorney, Alex Di Francesco, conveyed his client's apologies to those affected, including his passenger and the public, while the court reviewed Murphy's earnings, which contributed to the size of the fine imposed.

Murphy's achievements as a four-time UK champion jockey, alongside his recent successes in major races, highlight the striking contrast between his professional accomplishments and this serious personal setback.