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Oisin Murphy: Champion jockey says 'he must not turn to alcohol on bad days' after alleged Newmarket pub incident

Oisin Murphy involved in alleged incident at a Newmarket pub last Thursday, the night before failing a breathalyser test on-track; Murphy told the Daily Mail: "I need to deal with the bad days better and not turn to alcohol to delete those days"

Oisin Murphy
Image: Oisin Murphy says 'better is expected' after last week's alleged incident in Newmarket

Oisin Murphy says he must not turn to alcohol to ‘delete bad days’ after an alleged incident at a Newmarket pub last week.

Murphy, who was crowned champion flat jockey for the third time on Saturday at Ascot, was reportedly involved in a fracas last Thursday, the night before failing a breathalyser test at Newmarket.

Murphy was stood down from his rides last Friday and apologised "to all the people I've let down".

On Saturday, details of last Thursday's alleged incident, reportedly involving a bloodstock agent who has not pressed charges against Murphy, appeared in The Sun and the Daily Mail.

Murphy told the Daily Mail: "The bottom line is I've been honest with everyone. I allow the jockeys' championship and riding poorly to affect my personality.

Oisin Murphy
Image: Murphy failed a breathalyser test at the track at Newmarket last Friday and was stood down from his rides that day

"I need to deal with the bad days better and not turn to alcohol to delete those days. As a professional jockey, better is expected."

Qatar Racing, Murphy's employers, have pledged their support to the jockey and offered to help if needed.

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Qatar racing manager David Redvers says it is hard to imagine the level of pressure on Murphy and revealed they will 'regroup' after Champion Day at Ascot on Saturday

Qatar Racing manager David Redvers said: "There will never be any doubt about the closeness of the relationship between [Qatar Racing owner] Sheik Fahad and Oisin and anything that can be done to help Oisin will be done. He's family.

"We have been through lots of roller-coasters with him. Sheik Fahad loves him dearly, as do I.

Oisin Murphy celebrates being crowned champion jockey at Ascot
Image: Murphy claimed a third champion flat jockey title on Saturday

"We probably don't fully understand the amount of pressure he puts himself under and occasionally the lid comes off the pressure cooker.

"I don't think anyone understands unless they have been in the cauldron that is the jockeys' championship right at the end. It is never-ending.

"There are undoubtedly lots of things for him to think about and work on once we get this weekend out of the way."

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