Murphy faces three-month ban after positive cocaine test

France Galop announces suspension following hearing on Wednesday.

Champion jockey Oisin Murphy has been banned for three months by France Galop after testing positive for metabolites of cocaine.

Murphy, who successfully defended his title this season, failed a test at Chantilly on July 19 – having ridden The Lir Jet, owned by his bosses, Qatar Racing Ltd.

Having always strenuously denied he had taken any drugs, Murphy requested a B sample – and upon receiving the results, France Galop held a hearing on Wednesday.

The ban will run from December 11 until March 11.

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