Sean Levey

Britain had not had a prior runner in the first two editions of Monday's €200,000 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Gowran Classic, which is part of the Smullen Series, and Richard Hannon trainee Bunyola Bay (Ghaiyyath) broke new ground to become the first and took a €100,000 prize back across the Irish Sea after making virtually all in the 9 1/2-furlong feature. "He's relatively inexperienced and it was his first time going around a bend today, but it was impressive and he had to be," said rider Sean Levey. "We've always...

Fresh after a small break, Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier and Michael Tabor's Title Role (Too Darn Hot) showed he could handle the heat to take Monday's G2 Coolmore City Of Troy German 2000 Guineas at Cologne. Having beaten Godolphin's subsequent Irish 2000 Guineas third Pacific Avenue and exciting prospect Talk Of New York in Meydan's Listed Jumeirah 2000 Guineas, the Simon and Ed Crisford-trained relative of Courage Mon Ami had been fifth in the G3 Greenham Stakes over an inadequate seven furlongs. Settled against the rail by Sean Levey early,...

Granted the ideal scenario of fast ground and a fast pace to aim at, Arturo Cousino's Jancis (Tamayuz) finally had her big day in Sunday's G2 Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket. Held up off the strong tempo set by Shadwell's free-going Falakeyah (New Bay), the Willie McCreery-trained five-year-old was able to deliver an even surge under Sean Levey to take command inside the final furlong and stretch to a 1 3/4-length verdict over Cathedral (Too Darn Hot) in a fast time. There was an 8 1/2-length gap back to the Group...

Coolmore's Aidan O'Brien-trained G1 Phoenix Stakes fourth Puerto Rico (Wootton Bassett) was a five-race maiden heading into Saturday's G2 Betfred Champagne Stakes and made all for a breakthrough success in the seven-furlong contest at Doncaster, becoming the first to achieve the feat since Bog Trotter in 1990. "You'd have to be very happy with him and he'll stay further, too," commented Coolmore representative Kevin Buckley. "He'd had a couple of nice runs recently and he did it nicely today. It looked like a very decent race and Sean [Levey] gave...

Tom Marquand has been confirmed as the partner of Goodwood Cup hero and ante-post favourite Scandinavia (Justify), who is set to head a field of seven in Saturday's G1 Betfred St Leger. With Ryan Moore on the sidelines and Wayne Lordan suspended, Sean Levey will partner dual Derby hero Lambourn (Australia) and Mickael Barzalona picks up the ride aboard Great Voltigeur fourth Stay True (Galileo). In addition to the Ballydoyle trio, Ireland is represented by Queen's Vase victor and Great Voltigeur runner-up Carmers (Wootton Bassett), who will be partnered by...

European shipper Jayarebe (Fr) (Zoffany {Ire}) died following the running of Saturday's GI Breeders' Cup Turf. The 3-year-old finished the race, but collapsed during the gallop out. According to a statement put out by the Breeders' Cup, Jayarebe suffered what appears to have been a cardiac event.  He was immediately attended to by a team of veterinary experts led by Dr. Brent Cassady, but unfortunately passed away. His jockey, Sean Levey, was uninjured. "Our thoughts and condolences go out to Jayarebe's connections and the many fans whose lives he touched,"...

DEL MAR, USA -- Ahead of the big day on Saturday, Friday's Breeders' Cup card is all about the youngsters, and the European trainers have come mob-handed with two-year-olds.  After last year's triumphs for Big Evs (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) and Unquestionable (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) in the Juvenile Turf Sprint and Juvenile Turf, expectations are again high that these trophies can be smuggled out of the country.  In the former, the form of the G2 Flying Childers Stakes could well be key, as the first three home at Doncaster...

Iraj Parvizi's Arqana October graduate Jayarebe (Fr) (Zoffany {Ire}--Alakhana {Fr}, by Dalakhani {Ire}), who annexed Royal Ascot's Hampton Court Stakes in his penultimate start, was rewarded for his consistency with a pillar-to-post triumph in Saturday's G2 Qatar Prix Dollar at ParisLongchamp. The April-foaled bay, a last-out second to subsequent G1 Irish Champion Stakes victor Economics (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) in Deauville's Aug. 15 G2 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano, was let go as the 29-10 second choice and broke well to seize an immediate advantage here. Untroubled on the lead until...

In an outstanding renewal of Doncaster's G1 St Leger on Saturday, it was the much-missed colossus Galileo (Ire) who had his inimitable stamp on proceedings with his sons Jan Brueghel (Ire) and Illinois (Ire) waging war in a clear demonstration of one of the most common characteristics of his breed. While the eventual winner Jan Brueghel had yet to go into the red zone in a career that only commenced in May, the son of Devoted To You (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) who had already provided a Classic winner in...

Aidan O'Brien trainee Lake Victoria (Ire) (Frankel {GB}--Quiet Reflection {GB}, by Showcasing {GB}) attained 'TDN Rising Star' status with a narrow victory in her June 28 debut tackling seven furlongs at the Curragh and doubled up in style with a pillar-to-post victory in Saturday's G3 JenningsBet Sweet Solera Stakes over the same trip at Newmarket. The Sean Levey-ridden filly broke smartly and was a shade keen on the front end through the early strides of this black-type bow. Settling into a comfortable rhythm by halfway, the 11-8 favourite was held...

Iraj Parvizi's Listed Dee Stakes third Jayarebe (Fr) (Zoffany {Ire}--Alakhana {Fr}, by Dalakhani {Ire}), who made an impressive black-type breakthrough in April's Listed Feilden Stakes, bounced back in style to secure a career high in Thursday's G3 Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot. Jayarebe broke smartly from the outside gate, but was trapped wide in a prominent position before accepting a tow in a share of third. Looming large when taking closer order off the home turn, the 7-1 chance hit the front passing the quarter-mile marker and was driven...

There were three Guineas heroes lined up for Tuesday's G1 St James's Palace S. and ultimately it was the winner of the Irish Classic in Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}--Rosaline {Ire}, by New Approach {Ire}) who came away from Royal Ascot with the bragging rights. If his Curragh victory was a case of consolation following his second to Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) at Newmarket, this was all about affirmation as the well-supported 5-2 second favourite readily reversed the 2,000 Guineas form and put the...