Oisin Murphy swaps Netflix for defence of Champion Jockey title

He said: “We’ve all been in regular contact with each other and our valets. We’re going to be split into different groups and all have our own area in the weighing room. There won’t actually be any need for us to get within two metres of each other.

“We are fully versed on the protocols and I feel comfortable that we can adhere to them correctly and we can go back racing and be good role models for other sports.

“I haven’t ridden behind closed doors, but it’s worked perfectly fine in Australia, Hong Kong and Japan over the last couple of months. It’s nice to have an atmosphere – I Frankie (Dettori) will miss the crowds. But at the end of the day we’re looking forward to riding really good horses and buzzing off the thought of that.”

Murphy is also beginning the defence of his championship after a triumphant 2019 campaign before spending part of the winter in Japan.

He said: “I’d like to be champion jockey again, of course I would, but the most important thing is I keep the people happy that I am riding for. I rode for 67 trainers last year and if I could ride for all those again and they were all happy to use me, that would be nice.”

On coping with thelay-off, he said: “I’ve been passing the time by walking and trying to keep on top of my fitness. I’ve been doing loads of cooking – I don’t think I’ve improved too much! Salmon and mashed potatoes are a staple diet at the moment.

“Netflix wore off after a few weeks. I suppose the first six weeks of lockdown I could hardly ride out, but the last fortnight or so I’ve been able to go into different stables and have a feel of some horses. That gives me a focus to my day, otherwise it’s very difficult to just roll out of bed and have nothing to do or work towards.”