Oisin Murphy could ride at Cheltenham as he begins comeback from 14-month ban
![Three-time champion Flat jockey Oisin Murphy has been licensed to ride on the Flat and jumps (Image: PA)](/upload/news/2023/02/15/5793.jpg)
Oisin Murphy makes his comeback from a 14-month suspension at Chelmsford City tomorrow night – and the Cheltenham Festival could be next.
The Irishman’s punishment – handed down for misleading British Horseracing Authority officials over his holiday destination during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, plus failed breath tests at Salisbury and Newmarket – comes to an end when the 27-year-old partners Jupiter Express for Mick Appleby in the Winning Connections Networking Handicap.
The three-time champion jockey, who leaves Britain for Qatar after taking his first mount back, will take aim at the biggest prizes of the Flat-racing summer – but has also taken out a licence to ride over jumps.
And Murphy’s dual permit will put him high on the list of trainers seeking a jockey for the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at Cheltenham on March 15.
“Jamie Spencer won the bumper [on Pizarro in 2002] and Fran Berry won a Coral Cup [on Khayrawani in 1999],” said Jimmy Derham of Murphy’s agent, Neptune Sports Management.
![Harry Cobden says winning Cheltenham ride on Il Ridoto did not deserve ban qhiqquiqdtiehinv](/upload/news/2023/02/01/238_m.jpg)
“I’m not saying he’s going to go down that road, but watch this space.
“He’s done a lot of show jumping in between, which is his passion, so he’s kept his eye in with the horses and he’s very much looking forward to being back on a racecourse.”
Murphy, who has admitted alcohol dependency issues and was hit with a three-month ban for a positive cocaine test in November 2020, will be subject to regular BHA testing.
“Mentally, physically – everything – it’s all systems go and he’s in a brilliant place,” added Derham.
“He’s very excited to be back riding. It’s been a very long 14 months.”
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus![](/upload/news/2024/06/27/176126_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/06/27/176124_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/06/24/176066_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/06/23/176049_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/01/176198_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/01/176197_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/01/176193_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/01/176192_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/01/176191_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/01/176190_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/07/01/176189_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/06/30/176186_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/06/30/176185_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/06/30/176184_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/06/30/176183_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/06/30/176182_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/06/30/176181_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/06/30/176180_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/06/30/176179_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/06/29/176178_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/06/29/176177_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/06/29/176176_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/06/29/176175_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/06/29/176173_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/06/29/176172_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/06/29/176171_m.jpg)
![](/upload/news/2024/06/29/176170_m.jpg)