- Horse Racing
Murphy gets nine-day ban after weighing room scuffle
Jockey Timmy Murphy has been given a nine-day suspension after his altercation with fellow jockey Dominic Elsworth at Newbury on Friday.
Murphy was taken to hospital with a shoulder injury shortly after he finished fourth on Upsilon Bleu in a handicap race at the course. At the time there was no clear indication of how the injury was sustained, although a British Horseracing Authority inquiry has since revealed he and Elsworth had been involved in an altercation in the weighing room.
Both riders were asked to appear at the inquiry at Wincanton on Thursday, where the BHA heard that Murphy was the main protagonist in the scuffle. The stewards also heard how Murphy had suffered his injury after being restrained by valet Chris Maude.
Stipendiary steward Paul Barton said in a statement released on the BHA official website: "On the Friday evening we knew Timmy Murphy had to go to hospital but we didn't know why, although overnight it clearly became obvious something had happened.
"We opened an inquiry into the alleged incident, and spoke to [Professional Jockeys' Association chief executive] Paul Struthers, Chris Maude the valet and Dominic Elsworth to get their version of events. Timmy Murphy wasn't there and the earliest we could hold the inquiry was today.
"Timmy Murphy has confirmed there were two incidents in the changing room, both of which were instigated by him. He admitted instigating them, and apologised to Dominic Elsworth. "The second incident happened probably not long after the first one, and Timmy Murphy's shoulder was injured when he was restrained by the valet.
"In the rules, the penalties can range from one to 21 days, with an entry point of four. There were two incidents, and it has been aggregated up. It could have been far higher but he is mitigated slightly as he did admit it, and apologised as soon as he could."
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