The stakes could scarcely be higher as Oisin Murphy gets ready for his racing return

Racing Post photographer Edward Whitaker caught up with former champion jockey Oisin Murphy earlier this week as he closes in on his comeback to race-riding following a lengthy ban.

The last time I photographed Oisin Murphy race-riding was his breathtaking win on Marche Lorraine in the Breeders' Cup Distaff at Del Mar in November 2021. He had won a titanic battle for the British jockeys' championship, beating weighing-room rival William Buick on the final day at Ascot, but a 14-month ban was handed out to the champion following alcohol breaches and deceiving the BHA over breaking Covid protocols.

Murphy will be able to return to racing on February 16. The stakes could scarcely be higher for the former champion. His main employers Qatar Racing have remained loyal and supported the jockey as he has undergone therapy in dealing with his addictions.

He has never stopped riding out during his ban but has stayed solely in the Berkshire area, partnering Andrew Balding's top colts The Foxes and Chaldean in gallops at Kingsclere while also riding for Lambourn trainers Ed Walker and Archie Watson.

A natural horseman, Murphy developed a love of showjumping as a child. So much so that he recently represented Ireland in the Sunshine Tour showjumping series in Spain, where he won a class.

His girlfriend Lizzie Nielsen, daughter of Stradivarius's owner-breeder Bjorn, has stood by him and supported him throughout his rehabilitation, to which he committed himself the day after he failed a pre-racing breath test at Newmarket on October 8, 2021.

Murphy looked relaxed and focused when I caught up with him at George Boughey's Newmarket stable, where he rode Missed The Cut, an intended runner in The Neom Turf Cup in Saudi Arabia at the end of February. The jockey has recently lost 10lb in weight and now weighs in at 9st.

He is ready to restart his career and fight to regain his championship.

Oisin Murphy in pictures

Oisin Murphy hasn't stopped riding out during his banCredit: Edward Whitaker

Oisin Murphy: now weighing in at 9stCredit: Edward Whitaker

George Boughey gives instructions to Oisin Murphy before riding work on Missed The CutCredit: Edward Whitaker

Oisin Murphy: the jockey's ban comes to an end next monthCredit: Edward Whitaker

Oisin Murphy: ready to restart his riding careerCredit: Edward Whitaker

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