OISIN Murphy spoke publicly for the first time on Sky Sports Racing on Monday evening about the before and after of his recent drunk driving accident, the subsequent court case, and the coverage it all got in the media.
The comments he made on Sky to Matt Chapman, who could be described as having a more forgiving attitude to Murphy’s misdemeanours, saw social media ignite afterwards. Asked how he plans to go forward from here, Murphy said: “Not everyone wants one to achieve, there’s a lot of jealousy out there, particularly in the media”. Earlier in the interview he said there had been “misinformation in the media, spread by your colleagues”.
Murphy was initially identified as having being involved in an incident by tabloid newspapers in April. At the time his agent Gavin Horne was quoted saying: “All I know is Oisin had a car accident and that is it. He is fine and racing tonight”. Reports that his passenger had been seriously injured now appear to have been exaggerated.
A statement from Thames Valley Police on Thursday, June 19th outlined the charge against him: “A man has been charged in connection with an ongoing investigation into a serious road traffic collision.”
But subsequent racecourse interviews never brought up the impending case as Murphy rode successfully through Royal Ascot. He had not yet been formally charged. Indeed, the racing media were being criticised for not asking questions. He appeared to cope while the charge was hanging over him, the run of winners has been less since the case was closed but it resumed this week.
The reaction to Monday’s interview, in which Murphy blamed others for being jealous, still had an element of not taking on board the gravity of the whole situation.
Accusing the media of ‘Murphy bashing’ was simply wrong, and the comment “it’s important not to allow the media to bully you too much” was just bizzare.
“It’s obviously more high profile because it’s me,” he continued, kind of stating the obvious. He’s been here before. He’s apologised before. He’s said he’s had counselling.
He also chose to put his own photo, going into court, on the apology statement afterwards. There was little need, if complaining about it being high profile - just don’t feed the hounds!
I picked up three ‘women’s/celebrity’ magazines in the local shop this week. These are light and fluffy news, you might have thought? Nope. Bad news gets headlines. The collection of front page headlines read:
Kate’s Worst Fears
Holly’s Fears Over TV Tell All
Can Harper Heal the Beckham Rift?
Lonely Harry, Meghan Has No Time For Me
Worried Colleen’s Warning to Wayne
Geri’s Marriage Agony
Molly and Tommy’s Heated Rows
This is where we are, what draws attention. It’s what news has become.
Murphy might just need some tough love, more the Roy Keane style. If a Kerryman will take advice from a Corkman - riding winners, that’s your job - go away and do it.
THERE’s no other way of dissecting it but to feel disappointed with the card for a classic Saturday at the Curragh today.
And that’s before you add in the extra attraction for sports fans staying at home to watch the events at Portrush and then, for Sunday, Croke Park is also a huge pull.
Despite the fact that Irish-trained fillies filled four of the first five placings home in the Oaks at Epsom, it’s disappointing to see a field of seven, and four of those from the Aidan O’Brien stable, line up in the Juddmonte Irish Oaks.
With €50,000 for third place and, more importantly, looking at events in the sales ring, classic blacktype for a filly, you would have thought it was worth the journey.
Moving the Railway Stakes from the Derby (which featured six handicaps out of nine races) to the Oaks card, and away from the proximity to Royal Ascot, hasn’t benefited the race either, with four runners and an odds-on favourite. Last year’s five-runner contest on the Derby card at least had two British-trained runners.
You almost have a feeling of can we speed things up and roll on Ascot and the King George next weekend. The middle distance division is in need of another good head-to-head battle.
Best racing stories
By contrast, despite the ratings being on the lower side, and the negative comments re: current sires and sprinters, the sprinters have supplied the best racing stories of the season so far, with last weekend’s win for Richard Hughes high among them.
The Group 1 King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot was won by a home-bred gelding in American Affair. The Group 2 Commonwealth Cup was won by Time For Sandals, who was bought by Harry Eustace for €35,000.
The Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes by a four-year-old gelding in Lazzat and the Group 1 July Cup by a four-year-old filly in No Half Measures, who only cost £34,000.
Richard Hughes’ filly Sayidah Dariyan looks another very reasonably bought sprinter at £35,000. Not outstanding winners, but there’s no argument that it’s more of an incentive to bring forth good stories and promote the game, and encourage new owners.
And though we are short on good sprinters here, at least the five-furlong Group 2 Barberstown Castle Sapphire Stakes today has a decent field and two good quality British-trained runners.
Next weekend’s King George at Ascot, at this stage promised to be competitive, has different connections involved and lots of different form lines with a good three-year-old taking on the older horses, as we have had in years past.
As for the Irish Oaks fixture, on paper the races look to provide a good card, but 28 runners over the four group races doesn’t look too appetising. If the handicap-riddled Derby card didn’t hit the mark, it’s difficult to see this higher class one pleasing many either.