Fallon Named Interim First Jockey for Qatar Racing

Qatar Racing announced Feb. 24 that they will retain Oisin Murphy as part of their team after the three-time champion jockey was banned for 14 months. Murphy was found guilty Feb. 22 on five charges brought by the BHA, including two related to his trip to Mykonos and failure to self-isolate, conduct prejudicial to the sport's reputation, plus a further 100 days for two positive alcohol tests at Chester and Newmarket. The jockey, who accepted all the charges, will not be able to ride until February, and will temporarily be replaced as Qatar Racing's first jockey by Cieren Fallon, the two-time champion apprentice who was appointed second jockey to Qatar Racing in August 2020. Qatar Racing said: "We respect the findings of the BHA independent judicial panel. This period will provide Oisin with further time to continue his rehabilitation, which we fully support. We, and the whole sport, look forward to him returning to the racecourse. "In the meantime, Oisin will remain on the Qatar Racing team and Cieren Fallon will take over and ride as first jockey until Oisin returns." Murphy finished eight winners clear of rival William Buick when claiming his second jockeys' title in 2020, but 11 of his 142 winners came during the period when he should have been self-isolating after returning from Greece. The disqualification of his winners during that time was considered by the BHA before the charges were brought and the possibility of connections of beaten horses in those 11 races appealing remains.