Levey says it was special after riding the Sheikh Mohammed Obaid- owned colt to victory at The Curragh
Jockey Sean Levey described his win aboard Dubai-owned Rosallion as ‘special’ after the Richard Hannon-trained colt gave his a career-first victory in the Irish 2,000 Guineas at The Curragh on Saturday.
The winner dug deep to deny stable mate Haatem in the mile which Hannon was also winning for the first time after his father Richard had won it twice with Tirol in 1990.Canford Cliffs in 2010 and Tirol in 1990.
Rosarion, a horse bred by Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktou, heads to St James’s Palace at Royal Ascot for a showdown with Godolphin’s 2,000 Guineas winner Notable Speech.
Levy now rides Hannon after a long stint riding with Irish legend Aidan O’Brien in the 2000s.
“I thought the race would be similar. He pulled me strong to the finish line and I had to work hard to pass Hartem.” Ryder said. “I was confident that I could achieve it, especially on the last straight where it was uphill all the way.” Hopefully they both get out of this situation, well, it was a real fight.
“Richard rolled the dice with him a few times. After Doncaster last year we were a bit lost, but they sent him to France and he got the result. Even after the Guineas.
“Winning this race is special for me. The first time I rode here was with Aidan O’Brien on a horse called South Wind Rising. So it’s great to come back and get a result in a race like this where you have a chance to be the favorite.”
Last year’s Coventry Stakes hero River Tiber made his season debut third under jockey Ryan Moore. I finished it.