TIMMY MURPHY has been suspended for nine days following his brawl with fellow jockey Dominic Elsworth at Newbury last Friday.

Murphy left the track with a dislocated shoulder and it was later discovered he had been involved in a scuffle in the weighing room.

Grand National winner Murphy had to give up the ride on Our Father in last Saturday's Hennessy Gold Cup and both jockeys were asked to attend an inquiry at Wincanton races on Thursday.

Stewards interviewed Murphy, Elsworth, Professional Jockeys' Association chief executive Paul Struthers and valet Chris Maude and found that Murphy was the instigator and main protagonist in the altercation.

The stewards also found Murphy had suffered a dislocation of his shoulder as a result of having to be restrained by Maude.

Murphy will miss the key action over the Christmas period – including the King George and the Welsh National meetings – having been suspended December 19-22 and 26-30.

Stipendiary steward Paul Barton said: "On the Friday evening, we opened an inquiry into the alleged incident, and spoke to Paul Struthers, Chris Maude the valet and Dominic Elsworth to get their version of events. Timmy Murphy wasn't there and the earliest we could hold the inquiry was today (Thursday).

"Timmy Murphy has confirmed there were two incidents in the changing room, both of which were instigated by him. He admitted instigating them, and apologised to Dominic Elsworth.

"The second incident happened probably not long after the first one, and Timmy Murphy's shoulder was injured when he was restrained by the valet."