Champion Irish jockey (29) admits drink driving charge after crashing into a tree

By Mathilde Grandjean, PA

Champion Irish jockey Oisin Murphy has admitted drink driving after he crashed his car into a tree earlier this year.

Murphy, 29, appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Thursday afternoon, where he pleaded guilty to one count of driving a motor vehicle while over the prescribed limit of alcohol.

He was not asked to plead on another count of failing to cooperate with a preliminary test at the roadside.

The jockey, of Beales Farm Road, Lambourn, Hungerford, was charged by postal requisition on June 19th after he drove his grey Mercedes A Class off the road and into a tree in Hermitage, Berkshire, at about 12.05am on April 27th.

He will be sentenced later on Thursday.

Murphy, who grew up in Killarney, Co Kerry, has been crowned UK champion jockey four times – in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2024.

He was among the winners at the Doncaster Racecourse Supporting Racing Staff Week Handicap last week, and rode five winners at Royal Ascot earlier in June.