Oisin Murphy Returns to the Saddle After Suspension

Reigning two-time champion flat jockey Oisin Murphy returns to the saddle at Lingfield Racecourse March 12 for the first time since his three-month ban issued by France Galop stewards for a positive urine test for metabolites of cocaine.

Murphy, who has won the jockeys' title for the last two years, has three rides partnering Rain Gauge in the mile novice and Sky Commander in the 7 furlong handicap for James Tate, while he is also on board the Sylvester Kirk-trained He Can Dance in another 7 furlong handicap.

The leading rider would ordinarily have been looking at a six-month suspension from France Galop, but the stewards were persuaded by a combination of evidence from a hair test and Murphy's own testimony that he was contaminated after having sex with a person he later discovered to be a user.

Murphy, who recently revealed he considered quitting the saddle after his failed drug test, was understandably excited to return and said: "I'm looking forward to it. I've been riding out plenty, and I've been in Oaksey House Monday to Friday with a personal trainer. It's nice to be back in the saddle.

"I've really focused on Dubai. I have Loves Only You, Equilateral, a few American horses, and it's nice to be there with good rides and all the big names are going to be there, so I'm thrilled to be booked on those horses."

On the possibility of landing a third jockeys' title in 2021 he added: "I'll ride as many winners as I can, but William Buick is an exceptional rider and had an exceptional season last year. Tom Marquand had a brilliant season and is going from strength to strength. Ryan Moore's been pretty busy recently and you have to admire him; there's Silvestre (de Sousa) who could give it a go and lots of guys who will be trying their best."

Tate was delighted to be able to give Murphy his first rides back and said: "Oisin has ridden lots of winners for us; he's had an enforced holiday, but he's a top jockey and we're pleased to have his services."

On his chances he added: "Rain Gauge has been placed in both his starts so far and is taking on winners with penalties. Hopefully, those penalties slow them down, and he'll be in the mix at the finish.

"Sky Commander is a nice horse who has been working well, but he's going to lack a bit of experience against those handicappers. He's only had three so it's a balance between his ability and whether he can put in a good performance tomorrow, or if it's a stepping-stone in his development."

Kirk was altogether more positive about He Can Dance, and said: "He's got a good chance. It's a competitive 0-65 handicap, as usual, but if he runs up to form he'll be there or thereabouts. It'd be nice to give him his first winner back."

Murphy has ridden 19 top-level winners and celebrated a first British Classic success on the Qatar Racing-owned Kameko, trained by Andrew Balding, in the Qipco Two Thousand Guineas (G1) at Newmarket last year.

That was one of three group 1 victories in 2020 for Murphy, who was also successful in the Betfair Sprint Cup on Dream of Dreams and the Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes on Alcohol Free, while he also has Japan Cup (G1), Prix de la Foret (G1), Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (G1), E.P. Taylor Stakes (G1T), and Irish Champion Stakes (G1) wins on his illustrious CV.

Murphy is 7-4 favorite with Coral to win a third jockeys' championship this year ahead of 9-4 second favorite William Buick, 11-4 shot Ben Curtis, with Tom Marquand at 5-1 and Hollie Doyle at 7-1.

Coral's David Stevens said: "Although winners at this stage of the season don't count towards the title race, Oisin Murphy has wasted no time in getting back on the track, and he's favorite to be crowned champion for a third time.

"With William Buick, Ben Curtis, Tom Marquand, and Hollie Doyle all quoted at single-figure odds, this year's Flat jockeys' championship looks a wide-open contest at this stage."