No complaints from Murphy after £300 fine
The rider was found guilty of abusive behaviour and fined £300 after an altercation with an official in the jockeys' changing room following the Sharp Minds Betfair: Back and Lay Handicap Chase at Fontwell Park on November 5.
Murphy was involved in an incident with stewards' secretary Chris Rutter, but the disciplinary panel found that he had not been violent or threatening two offences which might have incurred a severe ban.
Murphy was pleased with the verdict and he is looking forward to riding at Warwick tomorrow, where he will partner Stormez for leading owner David Johnson in the totesport Classic Chase.
"It went well and I am happy. I spoke my mind on the day. The finding was against me, but I will just move on and get on with my career now," he said.
"The inquiry was fair, so I can't have any complaints. I'm looking forward to getting back to work tomorrow and it's onwards and upwards from here."
Murphy's solicitor Rory Mac Neice was also satisfied with the hearing.
He added: "Timmy's time is better served riding horses than travelling down to London for these things I expect we all agree with that.
"The panel were kind enough to say some very nice things about Timmy and he appreciated that. I am happy with the way we presented our case and the verdict."
Murphy and Rutter gave evidence to the panel along with another stewards' secretary on duty at Fontwell, valet Phil Taylor, an assistant valet and William Nunneley and Paul Barton, who are also stewards' secretaries.
The panel determined that Rutter entered the jockeys' changing room and called for Murphy to attend an inquiry.
The rider then asked Rutter what it was all about and was told it would all become clear in the stewards' room, whereupon Murphy was adjudged to have verbally abused the official.
Taylor intervened and encouraged Murphy to calm down before Rutter returned to the stewards' room.
John Maxse, public relations director for the Jockey Club, said: "The matter could, in hindsight, have been dealt with on race-day.
"In deciding that the breach warranted a fine rather than a suspension, the panel were acting in accordance with the potential penalties available to the race-day stewards when inquiring into such an incident.
"It was not easy for the panel to piece together what actually happened on the day, but they were satisfied that Timmy Murphy acted in an abusive manner to a Jockey Club official.
"However, they concluded that the incident warranted a fine rather than a suspension.
"The question of whether another form of employer/employee action is warranted will be considered now the inquiry is over."
The protocol of reporting such an altercation could be reviewed.
Maxse added: "It (the incident) was brought to the attention of the stewards at the end of race-day and a report was submitted by the official in question, and that is something we can look at and offer some guidance on in the future."
