Oisin Murphy to race in the USA a day after court appearance

July 2, 2025

Oisin Murphy will race in the Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes on Friday – a day after appearing in court for drink driving offences.

The Irish jockey will jet off to America to ride the favourite New Century in Saratoga for owners Qatar Racing.

Winner of the Grade 1 race will take home a lucrative €636,000.

It means the 29-year-old will jet off on Thursday just hours after being due to appear at Reading Magistrates’ Court.

Murphy is being charged with drink driving and failure to provide a roadside breath sample following a car crash in April.

A breakdown of what happened

Thames Valley Police announced last month that Murphy had been charged in connection with an ongoing investigation into a serious road traffic collision in Hermitage, West Berkshire.

Murphy crashed his grey Mercedes-Benz A-Class into a tree just after midnight on Sunday, April 27 which left a woman in hospital with severe injuries.

Murphy was arrested and later released on police bail. The incident occurred shortly after he rode a three-timer at Leicester on Saturday and he missed a book of rides at Southwell the day after.

A steward’s report from the British Horseracing Authority claimed that Murphy was absent due to ‘travel issues’ before returning to the saddle at Windsor on Monday.

Following an announcement of the charges, the British Horseracing Society said in a statement: “The BHA is aware of an update issued by Thomas Valley Police this afternoon regarding Mr 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.”

New Century the favourite with Oisin Murphy

It’s little surprise New Century is favourite, ahead of Luther (9/2) with horse racing betting sites.

Murphy rode New Century to victory in Woodbine, Canada last September just a month after winning in Salisbury.

He finished second at Ascot last July and also won at Doncaster.

New Century finished third in its last appearance in the USA but under jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. The last time Murphy rode New Century was in April when they finished fifth from nine runners.

Murphy has ridden more winners than any other jockey in the UK this year. He has a strike rate of 25% with 55 wins from 223 races.

He is a four-time British Champion Jockey, having won titles in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2024.