Oisin Murphy: I wasn t sure if I wanted to ride again after cocaine ban
Thu 25 Feb 2021
Oisin Murphy has opened up over struggles with his mental health as he came to terms with the consequences of a three-month ban for failing a drugs test and admitted that one stage he wondered if he would ever return to riding again.
The champion jockey was banned for three months in November after a racecourse test, taken at Chantilly in July, found traces of cocaine in his system.
Having always strenuously denied he had taken any drugs, Murphy requested a B sample – and upon receiving the results, France Galop held a hearing where the rider’s defence of environmental contamination from a sexual encounter and scientific hair test evidence was accepted.
16 Feb 2021
We look at three of racing s most exciting young jockeys who look set to build their reputations further in 2021
Hollie Doyle, Tom Marquand and Cieren Fallon each enjoyed landmark first Group 1 wins in the QIPCO British Champions Series last year. After tasting success at the top table, you can guarantee the star trio will be hungry for more this year.
She’s done it again!!! @HollieDoyle1 and GLEN SHIEL win the QIPCO British Champions Sprint! #ChampionsDaypic.twitter.com/mn93AW8F5N Champions Series (@ChampionsSeries) October 17, 2020
Hollie Doyle
Doyle must have been one of the few people in the world who never wanted 2020 to end. She enjoyed a record-breaking year on the track and won numerous awards off it. In addition to riding 151 winners, she was also third in the BBC Sports Personality Of The Year.
Gosden s Amtiyaz noted under Doyle at Doncaster - The Leader Newspaper theleader.info - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from theleader.info Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Craved completes fromthehorsesmouth.info 266-1 5-horse accumulator and £1,207 Canadian
By Andrew Atkinson
Willie Haggas trained Craved completed a fromthehorsesmouth.info 266-1 five-horse accumulator on Saturday, when winning the Betway 6 furlongs Novices Stakes at Newcastle, under jockey Tom Marquand.
Roksana (8-15), Enqarde (4-1), Spirit Of Rome (9-2), Van Djik (15-8) and Craved (6-5), fromthehorsesmouth.info winning tips returned £1,207 in a Canadian bet.
fromthehorsesmouth.info selections at Newcastle saw five of the seven race tips placed/win.
Antony Brittain trained Van Djik completed fromthehorsesmouth.info £1,207 Canadian.
Antony Brittain trained Van Djik (15-8) ridden by Harry Russell and Craved (6-5) completed a double; with Heatherdown Matron (15-2) finishing second, along with each-way selection Gigi’s Beach (7-1) trained by Michael Dods, beaten a short head in the Betway 6f Handicap under Callum Rodriguez. Great Esteem (6-5) ran third.
Betway Conditions Stakes | 2m½f | 4yo+ | Sky
There is a smattering of quality in this Fast-Track Qualifier for All-Weather Finals Day at Lingfield and that s particularly true of Mekong, who comes straight out of a Group 1.
That wasn t just any Group 1, either. Mekong was last seen competing in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in June, when he finished 23 lengths behind Stradivarius in fifth.
He never got into that race after a slow start and was evidently outclassed, but this time it s Mekong who could outclass his rivals now he is dropped significantly in grade.
This time last year Mekong was enjoying the sunshine in the Middle East, where he produced solid efforts to finish fourth in a Listed handicap at Meydan and second in a valuable event at Riyadh. A reproduction of either run would give him a big chance here.