I AM INNOCENT
Top Irish jockey denies drug use after failed test
LEADING Irish jockey Oisín Murphy has vowed to clear his name after testing positive for cocaine.
The Kerry pilot, who is on course to retain his title as champion jockey on the Flat in Britain, has denied taking drugs after a positive test in France in July. If found guilty, he faces a six-month ban and could lose his plum job as retained rider for Qatar Racing.
‘I have never taken cocaine in my life and I will do everything I can to prove that I have not taken cocaine,’ said Murphy yesterday.
Murphy returned a positive test in a urine sample at Chantilly on July 19 but was allowed to continue riding. He was subsequently informed by France Galop on August 19 that his A sample contained metabolites of cocaine.
‘I had to release a statement earlier today as the story had got round, and also it’s a weight off my shoulders,’ said Murphy on Racing TV yesterday.
‘Something needed to be said today and I’m pleased it’s out there.
‘I am innocent and I think the people closest to me believe in my innocence, and I’ve been able to push it out of my head.’
CHAMPION jockey Oi s i n Murphy is facing a six-month ban after testing positive for cocaine when riding in France in July.
The news l eft racing in shock. Murphy, 25, who l anded his f i rst j ockeys’ championship last year, has quickly risen through the r anks and become t he natural successor to Frankie Dettori as the face of British Flat racing with his engaging personality.
Murphy, who is course to retain his title, vowed to clear his name and has undertaken hair sampling in a bid to prove his innocence.
But under the strict liability rules which operate in France if the results of Murphy’s B sample also returns positive — the result is understood to be due next week — the rider looks likely to join two other British champion jockeys, Frankie Dettori and Kieren Fallon, in picking up cocaine-related bans while riding in France.
Murphy, who was riding at Chelmsford last night and has six mounts at Ascot this afternoon, said: ‘The results came back a month after the test. I couldn’t believe it so had a hair sample done. That has come back completely negative but 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 never taken cocaine in my life and I will do everything that I can to prove that I have not taken cocaine.
‘I have known about this for a month but it has been slow process. I will keep my head down and keep riding. I want to thank those who are supporting me and in the meantime I want to keep riding winners and focus on my career. I will have no further comment to make and wish to respect the processes of France Galop.’
Murphy gave a urine test when having three rides at Chantilly on July 19. He was told his ‘A’ sample had tested positive to a metabolite of cocaine on August 19 by France Galop. Samples of his hair taken on August 22 have tested negative for cocaine.
However, unless the B sample is negative, the hair tests will only serve to try to rescue Murphy’s reputation.
Last year f ellow j ockey Robbie Downey protested his innocence after a positive cocaine test in France and produced negative results from his hair samples but France Galop still imposed a six-month ban with the Professional Jockeys Association claiming Downey was the subject of a miscarriage of justice.
The PJA claim French testing is more susceptible to contamination and unreliable results because threshold testing levels for cocaine are lower than in Britain.
Murphy is first jockey to Qatar Racing, the successful operation of Sheik Fahad Al Thani and his brothers. It is understood they are standing by their rider, who gave them a first British Classic when successful on Kameko in the 2,000 Guineas in June.
The Flat season concludes on November 6 and it is unlikely, should his ‘B’ sample test positive, that any hearing in France will take place until after that date.
But a ban could cost him lucrative riding opportunities overseas this winter and could also mean he misses the start of the 2021 domestic season.