Champion jockey-elect Oisin Murphy survives stewards' inquiry to earn 200th winner of the year

Oisin Murphy rode his 200th winner of the year after Qetaifan survived a stewards’ inquiry to claim the 6f juvenile novice stakes at Goodwood on Sunday.

Murphy last rode 200 winners in a year in 2019 when he managed 220 winners, a career best. Murphy is the only rider to have ridden 200 Flat winners in Britain this year.

Qetaifan appeared to have an excellent chance of providing the rider with his double century of winners, being sent off as an odds-on favourite to score for trainer Andrew Balding and owner Abdulaziz Al Rabban.

Qetaifan moved to the lead with two furlongs left to run but drifted to his left, in the process squeezing up the Richard Hannon-trained Great as he made a challenge on the stands’ side rail. Great continued to be tight for room through the final furlong, prompting an inquiry. However, the result was allowed to stand.

Balding said: "It's a great achievement by Oisin to be champion jockey again and to ride that many winners. The fact that he has been able to ride that many winners at the better meetings is quite something and I'm delighted that he has done so well."

Of Qetaifan, the trainer added: "It's never easy carrying a penalty, so that was a really pleasing effort. I'll have to discuss with the owner what the next steps are but he has shown he can cope with that ground, so we might look at the Horris Hill for him. He's also in the sales, so we'll have to see what we think is best to do."

Murphy will be crowned champion jockey for the fourth time on Saturday, the first since he returned in 2023 following a 14-month suspension for conduct prejudicial to the reputation of British racing.

Alongside his haul of winners, Murphy has claimed three top-level victories this season on Asfoora in the King Charles III Stakes and on Khaadem in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, as well as the Grade 1 Summer Stakes on New Century at Woodbine in Toronto.

Read this next:

Billy Loughnane denied Grade 1 glory abroad as Soprano finishes second in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup 

The Racing Post is now available to follow on WhatsApp channels! Follow Racing Post Insider on WhatsApp and you can now start receiving messages and alerts for the latest news, tips, insights, live reactions and much more. Click the group link and get Racing Post notifications straight to your phone via WhatsApp.