Oisin Murphy

In Moment of 2020, the staff of TDN Europe reflect on their favourite moments in racing for the year. Future Classic winner Kameko (Kitten's Joy) first came on my radar with his nose second in the G3 Solario S. in August of 2019 after winning on debut at Sandown in July. I especially noticed the flashy dark bay because he bore the same Qatar Racing silks as another favourite of mine, the late Cartier Horse of the Year Roaring Lion, also a Kentucky-bred incidentally by Kitten's Joy. A $90,000 Keeneland...

Jockey Oisin Murphy has been banned from race riding for three months by France Galop stewards as a result of a positive test this summer for cocaine metabolites. The ban will run from Dec. 11, 2020 to Mar. 11, 2021 and has been reciprocated by the British Horseracing Authority. The typical ban in such cases has been six months, but the stewards were persuaded to lessen that after receiving hair sample results and a testimony from Murphy that the positive test arose from an unintentional, environmental contamination. The positive sample...

Last year's champion jockey Oisin Murphy earned his second crown with 142 wins in 2020. William Buick closed to within nine wins, but could ultimately not make up the deficit at Newcastle on Friday. Murphy is currently at the Breeders' Cup meeting at Keeneland. The retained rider for Qatar Racing, Murphy booted home Kameko (Kitten's Joy) in the G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas in June. "I'm incredibly proud to have won a second champion jockey title and I'm extremely thankful for the team around me that have enabled me to do...

Qatar Racing colourbearer Perfect Sign (Ire) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) gave pilot Oisin Murphy his 1,000 winner. The reigning champion jockey and retained rider for Qatar Racing teamed up with the juvenile filly for trainer Michael Dods at Southwell. The 25-year-old Irishman, who was the champion apprentice in the UK in 2014, was appointed number one Jockey for Qatar Racing in 2016. On board Qatar Racing's Kameko (Kitten's Joy) he gained his first Classic success in the 2020 G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas. Murphy told Sky Sports Racing: "I ride for great...

A virtual preview evening to celebrate the 10th edition of QIPCO British Champions Daywill be held live on the QIPCO British Champions Series Facebook page from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15. Sponsored by QIPCO and the Tote and hosted by ITV Racing's Francesca Cumani, the preview evening will raise money for charity Racing Welfare. Other panelists will be Chris Dixon (Racing TV), Kevin Blake (Sky Sports Racing), Lee Mottershead (Racing Post), champion jockey Oisin Murphy, and Jamie Hart (Tote). All viewers are encouraged to make a...

Champion jockey Oisin Murphy has said he will "fight to clear his name" after it was revealed on Thursday that he had tested positive for metabolites of cocaine at Chantilly on July 19, the card during which he partnered The Lir Jet (Ire) (Prince of Lir {Ire}) to finish second in the G2 Prix Robert Papin. Murphy said he has "never taken cocaine." If found guilty, he could face a lengthy ban from the saddle; Frankie Dettori was sidelined six months in 2012 after testing positive for cocaine in France-he...

British jockeys may yet be exempt from two weeks of self-isolation after competing at ParisLongchamp on Arc Weekend Oct. 3-4. The British Horseracing Authority is making a submission to Public Health England on Tuesday. Currently due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, anyone traveling back from France is required to self-isolate for seven days under the elite sportsperson's exemption rather than the normal fortnight. If the exemption is allowed, stable staff and trainers would also be included along with jockeys. If the exemption is not granted, many high profile riders would...

Like last year's G1 Juddmonte Cheveley Park S. winner Millisle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) beaten in the G3 Dick Poole Fillies' S. at Salisbury Sept. 3, Jeff Smith's Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never) made a similar step forward to prove fastest where it mattered in Saturday's fillies' feature at Newmarket. Quickly able to head the fast-breaking G2 Lowther S. winner Miss Amulet (Ire) (Sir Prancealot {Ire}), the heavily-supported 7-2 second favourite was there to be shot at on the front end throughout but was able to ward off threats on...

Saddled with a five-pound penalty as a result of his G1 2000 Guineas triumph, Qatar Racing's Kameko (Kitten's Joy) proved himself one of the better winners of that Classic in recent times when overcoming the extra burden to take the G2 Shadwell Joel S. over the same Newmarket mile on Friday. Settled behind the leading duo early by Oisin Murphy, the 85-40 second favourite needed rousing to get to last year's winner Benbatl (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) but responded by usurping that rival with 1 1/2 furlongs remaining. At the line,...

Following a seven-day suspension, champion jockey Oisin Murphy booted home his 100th winner of the abbreviated COVID-19 season. The Kodi Kid (Ire) (Kodi Bear {GB}) won the first race on the card at Bath and was Murphy's 539th ride of the year. "It's great to get another one on the board for Andrew--he's my biggest supporter and the horses are flying, so I'm thrilled," said Oisin Murphy of the Andrew Balding trainee. "It's great to do it [ride 100th winner] for Andrew. This horse ran well last time and this...

After opting not to appeal a seven-day suspension from Sept. 7-13, Oisin Murphy will miss the Pertemps St Leger Festival at Doncaster (Sept. 9-12). Ayr stewards suspended the rider for careless riding aboard winner Tiritomba in Monday's Shadwell Stud Maiden S. "It is going to be difficult to sit a week out, but if the stewards on the day feel I deserve to get a week's suspension, it is likely the [British Horseracing Authority disciplinary panel] will agree with them. I don't want to waste anyone else's time or my...

2019 Champion Apprentice Cieren Fallon has accepted a position as second jockey for Qatar Racing on Wednesday morning. The 21-year-old's new role is for two years and he joins reigning champion jockey Oisin Murphy, who has first call for Sheikh Fahad's operation. Fallon rode out his claim last Friday. He also booted home his first Group 1 winner aboard Oxted (GB) (Mayson {GB}) in the G1 Darley July Cup at Newmarket last month. Qatar Racing is expanding its jockey pool due to the ongoing effects of the coronavirus pandemic which...