Horse racing will be leading the way as far as elite sport returning in the UK is concerned and Oisin Murphy has no qualms about getting back to work.
The government gave the green light to the resumption of competitive sporting action, with the British Horseracing Authority having already formulated a plan to restart.
That will now go ahead with a ten-race card at Newcastle kicking things off on Monday, but meaning very little time ahead of the first Classics of the season – the 2000 and 1000 Guineas – which will take place at Newmarket next weekend.
Strict protocols must be adhered to by all sports returning, which will all take place behind closed doors, but Murphy doesn't foresee that causing any problems for the jockeys.
Murphy said: “We're going to be split into different groups and all have our own area in the weighing room. There won't actually be any need for us to get within two metres of each other.
“We are fully versed on the protocols and I feel comfortable that we can adhere to them correctly and we can go back racing and be good role models for other sports.”
The 23-year-old became the youngest champion jockey since 2006 last season and although that is an obvious ambition again, Murphy added that keeping his current and potential employers happy is his main priority.
“I'd like to be champion jockey again, of course I would, but the most important thing is I keep the people happy that I am riding for,” he added.
“I rode for 67 trainers last year and if I could ride for all those again and they were all happy to use me, that would be nice.”
