Jockey Sean Levey expressed the significance of his victory aboard Rosallion, owned by Dubai, in the Irish 2,000 Guineas at The Curragh. This marked his first career victory, which he described as 'special'. The colt, trained by Richard Hannon, triumphed over stable mate Haatem, clinching Hannon's inaugural win in the mile. Rosallion, a home-bred by Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktou, is now set to compete at the St James's Palace at Royal Ascot, where a face-off with Godolphin’s 2,000 Guineas winner Notable Speech awaits.
Levey, who had previously been associated with Irish legend Aidan O'Brien, conveyed his thoughts on the race, stating, “I thought the race would be a bit like that. He dragged me hard to the line, and he had to work hard to get by Haatem. I was confident I was going to get him, especially over that last bit when we were climbing all the time. Hopefully, they both come out of it, okay, it was a real battle.”
Referring to Hannon's persistence with Rosallion, Levey remarked, “Richard has rolled the dice a few times with him. After Doncaster last year, we were left scratching our heads a bit, but he sent him to France and he delivered. Also to say after the Guineas, he really wanted to come here has paid off again. To win this race is special for me. I had my first ever ride here when I was with Aidan O'Brien on a horse called South Wind Rising, so it's great to come back in a race like this with a favourite's chance and deliver.”
River Tiber, last year's Coventry Stakes hero, finished third on his seasonal debut under Ryan Moore.
