Jim Crowley fails to arrive at Wolverhampton when due to give breath sample as matter forwarded to BHA head office

4 months ago 36

JIM CROWLEY failed to arrive at Wolverhampton races when due to give a breath sample after getting stuck in traffic.

And, in similar circumstances to what happened to Oisin Murphy this week, the matter has now been forwarded to the BHA head office.

a jockey wearing a helmet that says uoe on it

Top jockey Jim Crowley failed to show at Wolverhampton after getting stuck in traffic – on the day he was due to provide a breath sample[/caption]

Crowley – one of three riders who failed to show up on the day – was due to ride last time out winner Standbackandlook in a 1m6f Class 6 handicap for trainer for William Knight but couldn’t make it to the Midlands track in time.

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Fellow jockey Taylor Fisher, who was due to provide a sample as well, also got stuck in traffic and failed to make it to the track in time.

While Harry Burns was another no-show.

Breath samples are random and jockeys do not know they will be tested until arriving at the track on the day.

The stewards’ report on the BHA read: “An enquiry was held to consider why Jim Crowley, who was declared to ride Standbackandlook and was required to provide a breath sample had failed to arrive.

“The Sampling Officer, Clerk of the Scales, Crowley’s Valet and Crowley were interviewed.

“Crowley stated that he was stuck in traffic and had made an early decision to turn around when it became clear that he would not arrive in time for his one intended mount.

“The matter was forwarded to the Head Office of the British Horseracing Authority for further consideration.

“An enquiry was held to consider why Taylor Fisher, who was declared to ride Crypto Quest, and was required to provide a breath sample had failed to arrive.

“The Sampling Officer, Clerk of the Scales, Fisher’s Valet and Fisher were interviewed.

“Fisher stated that he was stuck in traffic and had turned around when it became clear that he would not arrive in time for his intended mount.

“The matter was forwarded to the Head Office of the British Horseracing Authority for further consideration.

“An enquiry was held to consider why Harry Burns, who was required to provide a breath sample, had failed to arrive.

“The Sampling Officer, the Clerk of the Scales and trainer Patrick Morris were interviewed, and the matter was forwarded to the Head Office of the British Horseracing Authority for further consideration.”

Three-time champion jockey Murphy failed to arrive at Kempton on Monday when due to provide a breath sample.

The stewards’ report that day noted Murphy – who went to hospital – was ‘unwell’.

He later said he has been suffering from haemorrhoids and went to get checked out.

Murphy, who was previously banned for 14 months for failing breath tests among other offences, spoke bravely of his ’embarrassing’ personal situation.

But former champion jockey Seb Sanders said his past misdemeanours meant he had ‘lost everyone’s trust’.

Speaking on At The Races, Sanders said: “Fair play but from previous issues you lose trust, and as soon as you lose that things go awry and people start gossiping.

“Unfortunately, that’s of Oisin’s own doing.

“People are human and they will ask the question.

“Hopefully he will prove himself right but unfortunately he lost everyone’s trust with what happened before.”