Champion jockey Oisin Murphy vows to clear his name after failed drugs test in France

CHAMPION jockey Oisin Murphy has vowed to do prove his innocence after testing positive for metabolites of cocaine at a meeting in France.

“I am innocent. In the meantime I want to keep riding winners and focus on my career,” he told The Yorkshire Post in a text message shortly before the controversy became public.

Murphy, 25, faces a six month ban from all racing if the original test result stands and it explains his absence from this weekend’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe meeting at ParisLongchamp after travel restrictions were lifted so British-based riders can line up in France.

Murphy was tested by France Galop, French racing’s governing body, at Chantilly on July 19, where he partnered The Lir Jet to finish second in the Group Two Prix Robert Papin. However the rider says he was only informed a month later on August 19 that he had “failed the urine test for metabolites of cocaine”.

He went on: “On August 22 I took a formal hair test to prove my innocence. The hair test process was recorded on camera and undertaken by two forensic specialists.

“On Wednesday, August 26, the hair sample results returned completely negative of all metabolites of cocaine. I an in contact with the France Galop and awaiting the B sample urine test result.”

In a separate statement, he maintained: “I have never taken cocaine in my life and will fight to clear my name. 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 said jockeys are regularly tested in Britain and that he was in a state of disbelief when he had the first correspondence from France Galop.

He added that it was a weight off his shoulders for the matter to be in the public domain.

Murphy is being supported by the Professional Jockeys Association who confirmed: “The hair sample was taken on August 22, with the collection process filmed by the laboratory for authenticity.

“The laboratory analysed multiple 0.3cm segments of Oisin’s hair and on August 26 the results of the hair test returned completely negative for metabolites of cocaine, which was entirely expected as Oisin has never taken cocaine. These results have been shared with France Galop and he awaits the results of France Galop’s analysis of his ‘B’ sample.”

The nephew of three-time Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning jockey Jim Culloty, Murphy has enjoyed a meteoric rise thanks to horses like Roaring Lion and became champion jockey for the first time last year. He won the Japan Cup last winter before landing a first domestic Classic in June when Kameko landed the 2000 Guineas for his retained owner Sheikh Fahad.

Despite his personal turmoil, he won two Group One races last month – Dream Of Dreams in Haydock’s Sprint Cup for veteran trainer Sir Michael Stoute and the filly Alcohol Free in last Saturday’s Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket for long-time mentor Andrew Balding.

He also guided Kameko to a thrilling victory in Newmarket’s Joel Stakes ahead of a tilt in this month’s Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot, the premier one mile race of the year in Britain. He remains the pacesetter in this year’s Flat jockeys’ championship.

Off the track, Murphy has prided himself with his openness with the media in order to help promote the sport. He’s also been known to give up his time to help young riders and charitable causes.

The bombshell overshadowed Aidan O’Brien’s decision to take dual Classic winner Love out of the Arc because of heavy ground. She was viewed as the main threat to Enable who bids to win the race for a record third time.