Portugal Colonial - Champion jockey Oisin Murphy charged with drink driving

Thames Valley Police said Murphy was charged over the incident in Hermitage, about 100 kilometres west of London, on June 19, the day he rode two winners at Royal Ascot.

"Last Thursday (June 19) Oisin Murphy, aged 29... was charged by postal requisition with one count of driving a motor vehicle while over the prescribed limit of alcohol and one count of failing to cooperate with a preliminary test at the roadside," police said in a statement.

"The charge is in connection with a single vehicle road traffic collision around 12:05 am on Sunday 27 April this year when a grey Mercedes A Class left the road and crashed into a tree."

The Irishman, four times British flat racing's champion jockey, is due to appear at Reading Magistrates' Court on July 3

Police warned the public not to speculate or spread misinformation on social media as it is a live investigation.

A spokesman for the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) said: "The BHA is aware of an update issued by Thames Valley Police this afternoon regarding Mr Oisin Murphy.

"We are now seeking to gather as much information as possible in order to consider what, if any, implications there are as a result of this development."

B.Godinho--PC