Champion jockey Oisin Murphy has been fined £70,000 and banned from driving for 20 months after crashing his car into a tree while over the legal alcohol limit. The incident occurred in Hermitage, Berkshire, on April 27, 2024, at approximately 00:05 BST. Murphy was arrested after his Mercedes A Class left the road, and he later pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle while over the prescribed limit of alcohol at Reading Magistrates' Court.

Murphy, who was charged by postal requisition on June 19, the same day he rode two winners at Royal Ascot, was also ordered to pay a £2,000 surcharge and £85 in court fees. The court heard that Murphy had a passenger with him at the time of the crash, who was the owner of the car. Both were taken to hospital following the incident.

Judge Sam Goozee, sentencing, told Murphy, "You are lucky that neither you, your passenger, or the public were injured by your actions. I do balance that with the remorse you have shown. You have also recognised that you have let the public down by virtue of your actions, and your colleagues in the racing world."

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) stated that Murphy would remain free to continue riding, but new conditions would likely be added to his licence as a result of his conviction. A spokesperson for the BHA said, "This is a very serious offence that, in the course of being committed, saw Mr Murphy jeopardise not only his own safety but that of his passenger and all other people travelling on the roads at the same time as him that night."

Murphy, who has been crowned UK champion jockey four times (2019, 2020, 2021, and 2024), was among the winners at the Doncaster Racecourse Supporting Racing Staff Week Handicap last week. His driving ban could be reduced by 20 weeks if he participates in a drink drive rehabilitation scheme by August 2026.