Oisin Murphy has been charged with drink driving by Thames Valley Police after failing to take a roadside test following a car crash in April – not far from Newbury racecourse.Â
Oisin Murphy Charged With Drink Driving The Same Day He Rode a Royal Ascot DoubleÂ
The Oisin Murphy car crash rumour mill has been in overdrive since news broke he was involved in a car crash on April 27th near Newbury.
With many people speculating on social media if Oisin Murphy had been drink driving – in an accident that also led to his female passenger being taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Murphy was originally arrested at the scene of the crash, but later released on bail. However, has since been charged with drink driving and also failing to take a roadside breath test.
Since then many more race days had passed, with horse racing fans wondering if the story was true or wanting to know more details.
The waiting was over on Thursday 26th June as news emerged that Oisin Murphy was charged for drink driving at the 2025 Royal Ascot meeting.
With police saying the top jockey was arrested on Thursday 19th June – the same day he rode two winners at the big fixture.
Murphy had guided home Godolphin’s Arabian Story to win the Britannia Stakes (watch below) and also Never So Brave in the Buckingham Palace Stakes that afternoon.
He’ll appear at Reading Magistrates Court on Thursday 3rd July 2025.
WATCH: Oisin Murphy Winning The Buckingham Palace Stakes on Arabian Story at Royal Ascot – The Day He Was Charged With Drink DrivingÂ
Oisin Murphy Charged With One Count Of Driving A Car While Over The Limit and Failing To Produce a Roadside Test
Following the Oisin Murphy car crash and arrest, Thames Valley Police confirmed on Thursday 26th June, that the jockey had been charged with one count of driving a car when over the prescribed limit of alcohol and also for not producing a roadside test.
A police spokesperson added.
“A man has been charged in connection with an ongoing investigation into a serious road traffic collision in Hermitage, West Berkshire.
“Last Thursday, 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 April 27 this year when a grey Mercedes A Class left the road and crashed into a tree.”
“It is vital that people do not speculate or spread misinformation on social media as this is a live investigation.”
BHA Aware Of The Oisin Murphy Drink Driving ChargesÂ
The British Horse Racing Authority are also said to be aware of the charges brought against Oisin Murphy.
With a spokesperson from the BHA saying
“The BHA is aware of an update issued by Thames Valley Police this afternoon regarding Mr Oisin Murphy.Â
“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.”
At this stage it’s not known if Murphy will face another ban from the saddle – with more on this expected after his court appearance on July 3rd.
This is not the first time Oisin Murphy has been in hot water.
He was banned for breaking rules around Covid in September 2020 and also failed two alcohol tests in May and October 2021.
As a result, he was banned from race riding between November 2021 and February 2023.
Oisin Murphy Leads The British Jockeys’ Championship
In addition to his two Royal Ascot wins on the day he was charged Murphy rode three more over the meeting – five in total.
- Miss Information – Kensington Palace Stakes
- Arabian Story – Britannia Stakes
- Never So Brave – Buckingham Palace Stakes
- Adrestia – Palace Of Holyroodhouse Stakes
- Quai De Bethune – Golden Gates Handicap
Murphy has ridden over 1,670 winners in Britain and so far this season had ridden 86 horses to victory.
Which has been enough for Murphy to currently to the British flat jockeys’ championship.
However, the Oisin Murphy drink driving charge now puts his riding in question – with the outcome of any further punishments likely to come after his trial.
But at this stage there is no news on if Murphy will ride, or be allowed to continue to ride between now and Thursday 3rd July.
