Champion jockey Oisín Murphy has been fined £70,000 and banned from driving for 20 months after admitting to drink driving following a car crash earlier this year.

Murphy, a four-time British champion jockey, appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, where he pleaded guilty to driving while over the legal alcohol limit. He was not required to enter a plea on a separate charge of failing to cooperate with a roadside breath test.

The incident occurred shortly after midnight on April 27th, when Murphy lost control of his grey Mercedes A-Class and collided with a tree in Hermitage, Berkshire. He was officially charged via postal requisition on June 19th.

The 29-year-old Killarney native was charged during Royal Ascot week, where he rode five winners.

He is due to ride at Saratoga in New York on Friday, when he partners New Century for Qatar Racing in the Belmont Derby.

He returns to Britain on Saturday to ride Ruling Court for Godolphin in the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown.

BHA 'disappointed'

A spokesperson for the British Horseracing Authority said: "Everyone at the BHA, like all involved in our sport, is disappointed today having learned the details of the offence to which Oisin Murphy has pleaded guilty. 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.

“His conduct fell a long way short of the standard we expect of all licensed individuals, in whom we place trust that they will represent our sport to the best of their abilities, upholding our collective reputation and ensuring racing is a safe place for all.

“In light of Mr Murphy’s guilty plea and the information revealed in court today, we will be working on the addition of new conditions on his licence that may be referred to the Licensing Committee for their consideration. As has been the case in recent weeks, Mr Murphy remains free to take up his riding engagements.

“We will issue an update on this process in due course and will be making no further comment at this time.”

Personal statement

At 5pm on Thursday Murphy issued the following statement via social media: "I would like to sincerely apologise for my actions.

"I know that drink driving is unacceptable and there is no excuse for what I did.

"I have let a lot of people down. I particularly want to apologise to my passenger and her family.

"Due to the police investigation, I have so far been able to share only minimal details of my offence with the British Horseracing Authority. I will now be fully cooperative with their enquiries.

"It would not be appropriate for me to comment further until that process is concluded."