UK champion flat jockey Oisin Murphy has protested his innocence after testing positive for cocaine, which could result in him serving a lengthy ban. 

The Killarney native was selected for urine testing at Chantilly on the 19th of July and a month later, he was informed by France Galop that his sample contained metabolites of cocaine.

Murphy is awaiting the results of a 'B' sample.

He says that on the day he received his positive test finding, he immediately undertook hair sampling at an independent laboratory to prove his innocence.

In a statement, Murphy says:

"I have never taken cocaine in my life and I will fight to clear my name. I want to thank those that are supporting me and in the meantime I want to keep riding winners and focus on my career. I will have no further comment to make and wish to respect the processes of France Galop."

The 25-year-old was crowned champion UK apprentice back in 2014.

He won the riders' crown for the first time last season and rode Kameko to victory in this year's 2000 Guineas as Newmarket.

He currently holds a narrow lead over William Buick in the race for this year's title.

Official statement from Oisin Murphy pic.twitter.com/cd5s9HmkcD

— Oisín Murphy (@oismurphy) October 1, 2020