The weekly TRC industry digest - a round-up of the international racing news from the past week.
Oisin Murphy banned for 14 months for Covid-19 and alcohol breaches
GB: Britain’s three-time champion jockey Oisin Murphy was suspended for 14 months on Tuesday [Feb 22] after pleading guilty to five charges related to breaches of Covid-19 protocols and two alcohol test failures.
Murphy’s sentence was backdated to December when he voluntarily relinquished his licence to seek treatment for his drinking problem. He will not be able to ride in races again until February 16, 2023; he was also fined £31,111.
Murphy, 26, lied to BHA officials about his whereabouts when telling them he had been on holiday in Lake Como, Italy, when he actually travelled to the Greek island of Mykonos in 2020.
Under the protocols in force at the time he should have spent 14 days in isolation on his return, but instead he immediately returned to work, riding 11 winners during the period which helped towards a championship he secured by eight winners from William Buick.
He also twice exceeded the alcohol threshold in tests taken at Chester in May and Newmarket in October 2021, as well as being found to have acted in a manner prejudicial to the proper integrity, conduct and good reputation of the sport.
Qatar Racing have announced that Murphy will stay on their team, with his deputy Cieren Fallon now stepping up to interim number one during Murphy's suspension.
It’s official: Kentucky Derby DQ for Medina Spirit
USA: Medina Spirit has been stripped of his victory in the 2021 Kentucky Derby following his positive post-race test that revealed traces of the banned substance betamethasone, a corticosteroid, were found in a post-race urine sample.
After a protracted legal battle, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) announced its ruling and at the same time issued trainer Bob Baffert with a 90-day suspension, due to begin in March, and a $7,500 fine.
Medina Spirit, who died of suspected heart failure in December, became only the third winner of the Kentucky Derby to be disqualified in the race’s 146-year history.
As a result, Kentucky runner-up Mandaloun, owned by Juddmonte and trained by Brad Cox, has has now been declared the winner. He runs in the Saudi Cup on Saturday.
"I am very disappointed in the ruling," said Baffert in a statement issued to Reuters. “It runs contrary to the scientifically proven facts in this case and the rules of the KHRC. We will be filing an immediate appeal."
Leading trainer Tony McEvoy leaving historic South Australia yard
Australia: Tony McEvoy, a perennial champion trainer in Adelaide, is quitting his historic stables in South Australia’s Barossa Valley to concentrate on developing his stable in Ballarat, Victoria.
The multiple G1-winning trainer, who now works in partnership with son Calvin, has been based at Kildalton Park since business partner Wayne Mitchell purchased the 108-acre property from the Hayes family.
The site was established in the 1960s, when it was known as Lindsay Park, by Hall of Fame trainer Colin Hayes. Kildalton Park is now for sale.
McEvoy said the prize-money opportunities in Victoria were “too good to pass up” but added he would continue to send runners to South Australia. “It has been a wonderful 12 years, but life is all about change, and I look forward to the next chapter,” he said.
Golden Sixty suffers another defeat
Hong Kong: Horse of the year Golden Sixty, who suffered his first defeat in 17 starts in the Stewards’ Cup in January, was beaten again when he could finish only third in the Hong Kong Gold Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday [Feb 23].
Running on yielding going for the first time over 1m2f and from a wide draw, he finished more than five lengths behind Russian Emperor, who led home stablemate Savvy Nine ina one-two for trainer Douglas Whyle, celebrating his second G1 victory since he retired from the saddle as Hong Kong’s all-time winningmost jockey.
Home Affairs denies Nature Strip in Lightning Stakes head-to-head
Australia: Coolmore’s three-year-old Home Affairs enhanced his chances of heading to Royal Ascot in June after holding off Australia’s top sprinter, his Chris Waller-trained stablemate Nature Strip, in a photo-finish to the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes at Flemington on Saturday [Feb 19].
In receipt of 7lb weight-for-age, Home Affairs made the most of a tardy start by Nature Strip to steal early lengths on the Everest winner, who was gaining fast at the end of a race settled by a short head.
“It was a tragedy from the start for Nature Strip unfortunately,” Waller said. “The new boy on the block, Home Affairs, it was a big gamble bringing him here today, he simply raced against the young horses and dominated last preparation and now he’s come back and beaten the best at weight-for-age, so pretty exciting heading forward.”
Elsewhere in racing …
USA: Churchill Downs Inc. set to purchase Colonial Downs plus casinos in near $2.45bn deal More here
Japan: Japanese Derby winner Shahriyar has accepted for the Dubai Sheema Classic with Cristian Demuro set to ride More here
GB: Winter Derby comeback for Dubai Turf winner Lord North More here
GB: Paddy Trainor of Johnston Racing has been crowned 2022 Employee of the Year at annual Stud & Stable Staff Awards More here
Australia: Over-exuberant celebration lands jockey Justin Huxtable with three-week ban More here