It would be fair to say that Killarney native Oisin Murphy has experienced his fair share of trials and tribulations since attracting the attention of the wider racing public on September 21, 2013. Having just turned 18, and still an apprentice, claiming 5lb, he rode a high-profile four-timer on Ayr Gold Cup Day and has continued to make headlines, for one reason or another, ever since.
Champion apprentice in 2014, under the tutelage of Andrew Balding, Murphy became retained rider for one of the most powerful owners in the sport, Qatar Racing, in 2016. The following year, he recorded the first of his 23 Group 1 victories worldwide, the Prix de la Foret at Chantilly on Aclaim, trained by Martyn Meade. Back in Britain, he went on to become champion jockey three years running, in 2019, 2020 and 2021.
However, despite his talent in the saddle, Murphy has repeatedly fallen foul of the governing body, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), for disciplinary offences. Most recently, in December 2021, he voluntarily handed in his licence in the face of five charges, two of which related to failed breath tests, brought by the BHA and ultimately served a 14-month ban until February 2023.
