Murphy charged with drink-driving and failing a roadside test after April car crash

Champion jockey Oisin Murphy has been charged with drink-driving and failing to comply with a roadside breath test following a car crash earlier this year. The charges, confirmed by Thames Valley Police on Thursday, relate to an incident on 27 April when a grey Mercedes A Class veered off-road and struck a tree near Hermitage, west Berkshire.

The 29-year-old, who is currently leading Britain’s Flat racing championship, was officially charged by postal requisition on 19 June—the same day he notched a Royal Ascot double with victories aboard Arabian Story in the Britannia Stakes and Never So Brave in the Buckingham Palace Stakes.

Murphy, a four-time champion jockey, is due to appear at Reading magistrates court on 3 July to face one count of driving over the legal alcohol limit and another of refusing to cooperate with a roadside breathalyser test. Police did not disclose further details about the levels recorded or whether anyone else was involved in the crash.

The timing of the incident and its aftermath raises questions about Murphy’s availability at race meetings. On 26 April, just a day before the crash, he rode a treble at Leicester. But he missed four scheduled rides at Southwell on the 27th, with the official stewards’ report citing “travel issues” as the reason for his absence. He returned to action on 28 April at Windsor, where he rode two winners from five mounts.

Since then, Murphy has continued to compete at the highest level, including a Group One victory on Lead Artist in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury in May. His five wins at Royal Ascot last week further cemented his reputation as one of the top jockeys in British racing.

Despite the charges, Murphy’s riding commitments remain unchanged for now. He is booked for five mounts at Doncaster on Friday and six more at York on Saturday, where a high-profile card awaits. The British Horseracing Authority (BHA), which regulates the sport, said in a statement that it was aware of the development and is seeking further information to assess potential implications.

“The BHA is aware of an update issued by Thames Valley Police this afternoon regarding Mr Oisin Murphy,” a spokesperson said. “We are now seeking to gather as much information as possible in order to consider what, if any, implications there are as a result of this development.”

Murphy’s career has previously been marred by disciplinary issues. In 2022, he served a 14-month suspension after testing positive for cocaine and breaching Covid protocols. He returned to riding in early 2023 and has since been on a steady path of professional redemption, regaining his champion jockey title in 2024.

The current charges mark another setback for the Irish-born rider, whose skill in the saddle has rarely been in question. His court appearance on 3 July will be closely watched by the racing world and could influence his future participation in the championship season.

Until then, Murphy continues to ride as usual, while the BHA and racing fans alike await the outcome of the legal proceedings.