Champion flat jockey Oisin Murphy has been charged with drink driving and failing to comply with police following a car crash in April.

The 29-year-old Kerryman was arrested after a grey Mercedes A-Class left the road and collided with a tree in Hermitage, Berkshire, just after midnight on Sunday, April 27th, according to Thames Valley Police. At the time it was reported that a female passenger was taken to hospital with significant injuries.

He now faces two charges: one for driving while over the legal alcohol limit and another for refusing to cooperate with a roadside breath test.

Thames Valley Police confirmed the charges stem from a "single vehicle road traffic collision" involving the Mercedes.

Murphy, a four-time champion jockey in Britain, is scheduled to appear at Reading Magistrates' Court next Thursday.

Responding to the news, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) said: "The BHA is aware of an update issued by Thames Valley Police this afternoon regarding Oisin Murphy. 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."

Murphy previously served a 14-month ban, returning to racing in March 2023 after being suspended for breaching Covid-19 protocols and failing two racecourse breath tests. He has spoken openly about undergoing counselling, saying it had been a significant help in his personal recovery.

Murphy rode five winners at Royal Ascot last week. He had a winner at Windsor on Monday evening but did not ride on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. He has five booked rides at Doncaster on Friday afternoon and six mounts at York on Saturday.