Champion jockey charged with drink driving offences

Champion jockey Oisin Murphy is facing legal proceedings following a road traffic incident in Berkshire earlier this year. The three-time British champion rider has been officially charged in relation to the April accident and is scheduled to appear in court next week.

The charges allege that Murphy, 29, was over the legal alcohol limit and did not comply with a request to provide a preliminary breath test at the scene of the incident.

Murphy, who recently enjoyed a successful Royal Ascot campaign with five winners, including Arabian Story and Never So Brave, will appear before Reading Magistrates’ Court on July 3. He was formally charged last Thursday while still riding at the prestigious meeting.

According to a statement released on the Thames Valley Police website: “A man has been charged in connection with an ongoing investigation into a serious road traffic collision in Hermitage, West Berkshire.

“Last Thursday (19/6) Oisin Murphy, aged 29 of Beales Farm Road, Lambourn, Hungerford, was charged by postal requisition with one count of driving a motor vehicle while over the prescribed limit of alcohol and one count of failing to cooperate with a preliminary test at the roadside.

“The charge is in connection with a single vehicle road traffic collision around 12.05am on Sunday 27 April this year when a grey Mercedes A Class left the road and crashed into a tree.”

The statement added: “It is vital that people do not speculate or spread misinformation on social media as this is a live investigation.”

The British Horseracing Authority responded with a brief statement: “The BHA is aware of an update issued by Thames Valley Police this afternoon regarding Mr Oisin Murphy.

“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.”