Champion jockey Oisin Murphy has vowed to clear his name by contesting a failed drugs test.
The 25-year-old was selected for urine testing at Chantilly racecourse on July 19 and was informed by France Galop a month later that his 'A' sample had returned positive for metabolites of cocaine.
This could result in a worldwide suspension of up to six months.
A statement, released through the Professsional Jockeys' Association, said Murphy organised for an independent laboratory to undertake hair sampling to prove his innocence.
On August 26 the results of the hair test returned completely negative for metabolites of cocaine.
The results were shared with France Galop and Murphy awaits the results of their analysis of his “B” sample.
Murphy said: “I have never taken cocaine in my life and I will do everything that I can to prove that I have not taken cocaine.
"I want to thank those who 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.”
Murphy has ridden 111 winners this season and leads the jockeys' championship, 13 ahead of William Buick.
The former champion apprentice won the competition in 2019.
In the past month, Murphy has ridden two Group One winners, Dream Of Dreams in the Betfair Sprint Cup and Alcohol Free in the Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes last Saturday.
