A PROFESSIONAL jockey from Carlisle has been given a lengthy ban for drink driving after he was caught while more than three times the limit. 

Police stopped 33-year-old Conor O’Farrell in the early hours of July 31 as he drove his Audi A4 towards Nelson Bridge from Denton Holme, the officers having been alerted by his car's “excess speed,” the city’s Rickergate court heard.

The defendant admitted drink driving.

Pam Ward, prosecuting, said police decided to stop the defendant because of his speed but the officers also noted his “poor lane discipline.”

“After he was stopped, the officers confirmed their opinion that he was under the influence of alcohol because his speech was slurred, and his eyes were glazed and he also smelled of intoxicant liquor," said the prosecutor.

“He told the officers that he had had two pints before getting behind the wheel and he was fully cooperative. He tested positive for alcohol and was arrested and taken into custody, where he gave a reading of 114mcg in 100mls of breath.”

The legal limit for driving is 35mcg. 

Mrs Ward confirmed that O’Farrell, of Denton Mill Close, Carlisle, had no previous convictions and had been a man of good character.

Jamie Baxter, defending, said the offence was “plainly out of character” for the defendant, a professional jockey, for whom the impact of a driving ban would be “significant and profound”.

The barrister then outlined what he said was a typical week in the life of the defendant – a week during which he drove almost 1,000 miles. His travel had included a 285 mile journey to a stables to work with a horse he was due to ride; and a 164 mile journey to Bangor in Wales for a race.

O'Farrell also took part in an open day at the stables of trainer Iain Jardine in Carrutherstown in Dumfries and Galloway.

“All of this can only be obtained not just by talent but also by really hard work; by graft,” said Mr Baxter. “Disqualification would have a significant impact on him over and above the impact it would have on most members of the public.”

Mr Baxter said O’Farrell had made a “regrettable and ridiculous decision” to get behind the wheel of his car that night.

“But more importantly,” continued the barrister, “is the confirmation through the Professional Jockeys’ Association (PJA) and the charity Sporting Chance that Mr O’Farrell has referred himself [for help] as a result of this.

“He is already receiving therapy and treatment in the form of counselling through Sporting Chance and the PJA. He is truly ashamed about his decision to drive.”

Mr Baxter said he had handed into the court several character references for O’Farrell, including ones from trainers Nick Alexander and Val Renwick and a director of the PJA. Urging the court to go outside the guidelines when considering disqualification, the barrister added: “The court should not be blind to the consequences.”

Of the defendant’s work, he added: “It’s not just a glamour lifestyle, getting on a horse and taking the glory at the end. He’s a grafter.”

Presiding magistrate Nick Swinscoe said the court could not in this case go outside of sentencing guidelines but he noted the “glowing” references and the defendant’s previous good character.

O’Farrell was given a one-year community order which includes a requirement to complete 80 hours of unpaid work. He was banned for 23 months but told he can reduce that disqualification by 23 weeks if he completes a drink driver rehabilitation course by December 5 next year.

If he does this, his ban will end on February 5, 2024; but if he does not complete the course in time, the disqualification will run until July 15, 2024.