BRITAIN’S champion jockey Oisin Murphy has been banned for three months following his testing positive for cocaine in France in the summer. The jockey tested positive for metabolites of cocaine at Chantilly in July.

France Galop announced yesterday that the rider will be banned from race-riding for three months, from December 11th until March 11th following a disciplinary hearing on Wednesday.

Murphy tested positive after riding The Lir Jet at Chantilly on July 19th which became public knowledge after he broke the news at the beginning of October. He has always denied taking the drug.

The France Galop Commissioners accepted his explanation that he did not take cocaine and that the positive sample arose as a result of unintentional contamination.

They did conclude that he failed to avoid putting himself into a situation where environmental contamination could occur. The ban to be reciprocated in other racing jurisdictions including Britain and Ireland.

In a statement Murphy said: “I would like to thank France Galop and the panel of Commissioners for a fair hearing and for accepting the evidence I presented that I had not taken cocaine. This evidence included my hair sample results – the results of which I am making public today – and an expert witness statement from an eminent toxicology and anti-doping expert.”

“Whilst I am obviously disappointed that I will still have to serve a three-month suspension, I am pleased the Commissioners accepted the evidence presented and am hugely relieved to have been cleared of taking cocaine.

“I respect the rules of France Galop, respect their decision and will not be appealing. Despite my relief, I regretfully put myself in a situation whereby cocaine has been able to filter into my system through environmental contamination and must live with the consequences.”

“I would like to take this opportunity to apologise to Sheikh Fahad al Thani, David Redvers and Andrew Balding and thank them for their support.

“I would also like to apologise to the whole Qatar Racing team, to the owners and trainers I ride for, my supporters, my weighing room colleagues and to my commercial partners as well as Racing to School.”