Murphy and Levey banned for breaching whip rules

Oisin Murphy was recently crowned champion jockey for a fifth time

Champion jockey Oisin Murphy said he "miscounted" when using a whip more times than the rules allow during a recent race - with a disciplinary panel calling it "a very hollow and unattractive explanation".

Murphy used the whip on seven occasions when riding Gladius at Newmarket on 11 October. Jockeys are only allowed to use their whips six times in a flat race, and Murphy was referred to a judicial panel for multiple breaches over a six-month period.

He was banned for 15 days with five days suspended for six months or the completion of 200 rides, while he must also attend specialist training.

The panel said Murphy's explanation of miscounting "may well not be accepted in relation to any further excessive use of the whip".

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 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."