- Jockey Oisin Murphy has been charged with two alleged drink driving offences
- The charge follows a ‘serious’ car crash in April which left a woman in hospital
- The multiple champion jockey has ridden 22 times since, recording five wins
Oisin Murphy, the multiple champion Flat jockey, has been charged with two alleged drink driving offences following a serious car crash which left a woman in hospital.
The 29-year-old, of Hungerford, faces charges of driving a motor vehicle while over the prescribed limit of alcohol and one count of failing to cooperate with a preliminary test at the roadside.
Following the crash, which involved a grey Mercedes A Class smashing into a tree and which happened at 12.05am on April 27, a woman in her 20s was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
A man was arrested at the scene for causing serious injury by dangerous driving and failing to provide a specimen for analysis and released on police bail.
The next day Murphy rode five times at Windsor, picking up two wins.
A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said: ‘A man has been charged in connection with an ongoing investigation into a serious road traffic collision in Hermitage, West Berkshire.
Champion jockey Oisin Murphy has been charged with drink driving after a car crash in April
Murphy missed races after the car crash on April 27 but returned to action the following day
The jockey earned two race wins at Ascot last week, the same day he was charged
‘Last Thursday (19 June) Oisin Murphy, aged 29 of Beales Farm Road, Lambourn, Hungerford, was charged by postal requisition with one count of driving a motor vehicle while over the prescribed limit of alcohol and one count of failing to cooperate with a preliminary test at the roadside.
‘The charge is in connection with a single vehicle road traffic collision around 12.05am on Sunday 27 April this year when a grey Mercedes A Class left the road and crashed into a tree. ‘Murphy is due to appear at Reading Magistrates’ Court on 3 July.
‘It is vital that people do not speculate or spread misinformation on social media as this is a live investigation.’
Since the charge Murphy has ridden 22 times, recording five wins.
The British Horseracing Authority issued a statement following the news that Murphy had been charged.
‘The BHA is aware of an update issued by Thames Valley Police this afternoon regarding Mr Oisin Murphy,’ a statement read.
‘We are now seeking to gather as much information as possible in order to consider what, if any, implications there are as a result of this development.’
