“I can NOT forgive Ryan Moore” – Murphy went MAD after Royal Ascot, England’s internal team was RIFLED before the Grand Cup!
Just days after the dust settled at Royal Ascot 2025, where rivalries turned personal and reputations were sharpened like blades, the calm shattered again—this time with a thunderous declaration from Oisin Murphy that has shaken the foundations of British flat racing. “I can NOT forgive Ryan Moore,” Murphy said during a heated off-air moment caught on a hot mic after his final ride at the meet. The clip, which surfaced online and instantly went viral, has ignited what some are calling the most explosive fallout between jockeys in modern UK racing history.
The context is murky, but insiders say the tension between Murphy and Moore had been simmering throughout the week. Moore, who was crowned Top Jockey of Royal Ascot for the second year in a row, seemingly shut out his domestic competition with a flawless display of tactical brilliance. However, whispers from the weighing room suggested something deeper than rivalry—claims of broken team coordination, behind-the-scenes politicking, and a brewing sense of betrayal among England’s elite riding circle.
According to a source close to the Ascot camp, Murphy felt “systematically sidelined” throughout the event. While he managed an emotional win aboard Never So Brave on day three, most of the week was dominated by Moore, who secured marquee rides on Aidan O’Brien’s best stock. “Murphy wasn’t just frustrated—he was livid,” the source said. “He believed he’d earned more trust, more rides, and what he got instead was a cold shoulder.”
The emotional outburst didn’t end at Ascot. As England’s top flat riders began preparations for the Grand Cup meet, expected to be one of the year’s most stacked domestic contests, tensions only worsened. One racing manager confirmed that the “internal team structure was rifled”—an informal term used in racing circles when top jockeys switch allegiances or owners reshuffle their stable loyalties. “There was chaos,” the source explained. “Agents were scrambling. Moore got preference again, and Murphy was left without a confirmed ride in the top two races.”
Fans, too, have chosen sides. Social media erupted with hashtags like #TeamMurphy and #MooreMachine, while racing forums buzzed with conspiracy theories. Did Moore intentionally leverage his relationship with top trainers to squeeze Murphy out? Or was Murphy simply unable to keep up with the machine-like precision of Moore’s tactics?
One thing is clear: the image of unity among Britain’s top jockeys has crumbled. The contrast between Murphy’s raw emotional riding style and Moore’s cold, calculated approach has never been more stark. Murphy, a four-time champion and one of the most beloved figures in the sport, finds himself questioning the very foundation of his support system. Meanwhile, Moore, as ever, has remained silent—letting the scoreboard speak for itself.
But in this sport, silence isn’t always golden. Racing thrives on drama, and what we’re witnessing now is no less than a Shakespearean fracture between two of its leading men. With the Grand Cup just days away, all eyes are locked on the entries list, trainer declarations, and, most importantly, who rides what.
Because in a game where every mount is political, every finish line is personal, and every decision echoes through millions of betting slips and fandoms—the real race is often the one behind the scenes. And right now, Oisin Murphy isn’t chasing the win. He’s chasing vindication.
Whether this rift ends in reconciliation or revolution remains to be seen. But one thing’s certain: British horse racing has found its newest drama, and fans are strapped in for the ride.
