Murphy and Levey banned for breaching whip rules

Champion jockey Oisin Murphy has been banned for 15 days for breaching whip rules.

Murphy used the whip on seven occasions, one over the limit of six during a flat race, when riding Gladius at Newmarket on 11 October and was referred to a judicial panel for multiple breaches over a six-month period.

His reasoning to stewards on that occasion was that he "miscounted" - described as "a very hollow and unattractive explanation" in the panel's conclusion., external

Five days of the 15-day ban have been suspended for a period of six months or the completion of 200 rides, while he must also attend specialist training.

Fellow jockey Sean Levey has been given a 26-day ban, eight days of which have been suspended, also for multiple breaches of whip rules.

Levey recently served a suspension for the same offence and was warned he could face a longer punishment if further breaches occur.

The panel's judgment, external said: "As a very experienced and skilful jockey, he must realise that there will come a time when a judicial panel may well be driven to conclude that he either cannot or will not control his use of the whip in accordance with the rules and that only a long suspension, to be served in its entirety, can serve as an adequate punishment.

"He would be well advised to heed this warning."