Champion jockey Oisin Murphy faces SIX month ban after failing drugs test

OISIN Murphy faces a SIX month ban after failing a drugs test in a bombshell for racing.

The champion jockey tested positive for cocaine after undergoing screening at a race meeting in France.

Murphy, 25, provided the positive urine sample after a race meeting at Chantilly in July but strongly denies that he took cocaine.

He has been providing hair samples to the French authorities for the past month, which have come back negative, and he is waiting on the results of a 'B' sample.

If found guilty by France Galop he faces a huge suspension, but if he appeals the verdict will be delayed until after British Champions Day on October 17.

Murphy said in a statement: “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 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.”

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In an official statement, the Professional Jockeys' Association also denied Murphy had taken drugs.

The statement read: "On the 19th July 2020 Oisin Murphy was selected for urine testing at Chantilly racecourse. On the 19th August he was informed by France Galop that his “A” sample had returned positive for metabolites of cocaine.

"On the same day, Oisin organised for an independent laboratory to undertake hair sampling to prove his innocence. The hair sample was taken on the 22nd August with the collection process filmed by the laboratory for authenticity.

"The laboratory analysed multiple 0.3cm segments of Oisin’s hair and on 26th August 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."

But British racing chiefs will be feeling uncomfortable at the thought of Murphy lifting the jockey's trophy at Ascot under a cloud.

He is not the first high-profile jockey to face a significant drugs ban, with Kieren Fallon and Frankie Dettori testing positive for cocaine after tests in France.

Fallon was banned for six months in 2006, and later 18 months in 2008 after a second failed test, while Dettori was also hit with a six-month after providing a postive sample at the 2012 Arc meeting.

In 2017, Robert Havlin was out of the saddle for nearly ten months after failing a drugs test in France, which led to a long legal battle in a bid to clear his name.

Murphy has been one of racing's leading stars for the past six years, being crowned champion apprentice in his first full season in 2014.

He is retained rider for the powerful Qatar Racing operation run by Sheikh Fahad al Thani and he won the champion jockey's title with 168 winners in 2019.

He has ridden multiple Group 1 winners, including his first Classic on board Kameko in the 2000 Guineas earlier this season.

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