OISIN MURPHY has revealed details of the female passenger involved in his drink-drive car crash – in his first interview since his night of shame.
The four-time champion jockey was fined £70,000 and banned from driving for 20 months after smashing his Mercedes into a tree just after midnight on April 27.
Oisin Murphy revealed details of the female passenger in his infamous drink-drive car crash – as he told Matt Chapman about a ‘nightmare’ ordeal ‘for everyone’
Murphy, 29, pleaded guilty to one count of driving a motor vehicle while over the prescribed limit of alcohol at Reading Magistrates’ Court earlier this month.
An ‘extremely strict’ set of conditions – including enhanced testing – have now been placed on his jockey licence by the BHA.
Speaking to Matt Chapman for Sky Sports Racing at Windsor on Monday night, Murphy delivered what viewers called a ‘jaw-dropping’ performance in front of the camera.
In it, he hit out at what he perceived to be media ‘bullying’, ‘misinformation’ and ‘jealousy’.
He said the whole ordeal had been a ‘nightmare’ for himself and everyone involved – but stopped short of actually saying ‘sorry’ for what happened.
And, for the first time, he revealed an update on the woman who police at the time said was ‘seriously injured’ in the crash.
There had been confusion over her condition after Judge Sam Goozee, when sentencing, told Murphy: “You are lucky that neither you, your passenger, or the public were injured by your actions.”
Clarifying what happened, Murphy said: “There was a lot of misinformation in the press and much of it spread by your colleagues.
“Fortunately the lady is really well, so that’s the most important thing.”
‘A PR disaster’
Sun Racing’s chief reporter Jack Keene delivers his opinion on the interview that’s the talk of the sport.
OISIN MURPHY’S first interview since pleading guilty to drink driving was nothing short of a PR disaster.
Dealing with this latest misdemeanour in public should have been straightforward – you show remorse, you apologise, you take responsibility.
Instead, he attacked the media for spreading ‘misinformation’ and for ‘bullying’ him, while he said sections of the press didn’t want him to succeed as they were ‘jealous’.
I’ve never heard anything so ludicrous.
Legally, the media were very limited in what they could report before and after his hearing at Reading Magistrates’ Court on July 3.
What was reported were the facts.
Oisin is the four-time champion jockey, a role model, and, whether he likes it or not, his actions will be scrutinised and he will be held to account.
Nobody disputes that he has issues with alcohol, and everyone in the sport wants him to put his issues behind him to have a successful, trouble-free career.
But if this reaction is anything to go by it appears he has learned little, and whoever is advising him right now is doing an appalling job.
Pressed by Chapman on whether she was back living a normal life, Murphy said: “I don’t think that’s anyone’s business.
“But if I say she’s very well, I mean that.”
Murphy also took the chance to take a swipe at those he believed were ‘jealous’ of his success in the saddle.
His words did not sit well with everyone, with one viewer in particular claiming they were stunned at a ‘frightening level of arrogance and lack of remorse’.
Doubling down, Murphy said: “There was going to be a lot said in the media and it’s important not to allow the media to bully you too much because you can get very down, but I had horses to ride and a job to do.
“I’m working with the BHA and it’s great to be riding every day and hopefully to the same level I was able to do at Royal Ascot and the weeks previously.”
He added: “Not everyone wants one to achieve, there’s a lot of jealousy out there, particularly in the media.
“But I worked all my life to ride good horses and I’ll continue to do that.”
Murphy said he has had counselling for four years and relied on that support network heavily since the crash.
He rode a double at last month’s Royal Ascot on the same day he was charged.
The jockey’s form had plummeted since his fine and ban and he went 32 rides without a winner.
However he had another double at Windsor on Monday, including victory on 1-7 Competizione for John & Thady Gosden.
Murphy said he is the only person who can stop him fulfilling his potential on the racecourse – and vowed to ‘never forget’ his latest brush with authorities.
He said: “It’s very important not to make that error again.
“It was a nightmare, particularly for everyone involved, not just myself, but the people who had to pick up the pieces and my support network.
“Time is a great healer but I won’t be forgetting about that mistake.
“Those incidences should never occur, but the BHA has been fantastic to work with and I really appreciate what they’ve done to help me.
“I want to repay them.”
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