Oisin Murphy hurls whip to the ground after big race ride ruled out

02 June 2023 , 17:47

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Jockey Oisin Murphy hurls his whip to the ground at Epsom (Image: ITV)

Oisin Murphy lost his temper at Epsom on Friday when his big race ride was ruled out of the Betfred Oaks.

The three-time champion jockey was due to partner the fancied Running Lion in the fillies’ Classic.

But the filly, a stablemate of eventual winner Soul Sister, was automatically withdrawn from the race after she became unruly, kicked out and broke the back of the stalls.

Murphy slid off the Running Lion as she exited the gates and when learning she could not take part, hurled his whip to the ground in anger.

He said later: “She just kicked the back of the gates open.”

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The incident and Murphy’s reaction was captured by ITV Racing with pundit former jockey Johnny Murtagh saying: “There is a very strict rule in England, if a horse messes in the stalls, gone straight away.

.“One minute she was in there, next minute she’s out and Oisin, who has worked so hard, things are going so well, probably came here thinking he had a chance. He’ll have to wait one more year.”

Running Lion, who was unhurt in the incident will be unable to run again until the day after she passes a stalls test.

Trainer John Gosden said: “She seemed to suddenly rear up in the gate and kick out and broke the back gate and went out the back without Oisin.”

Jon Lees