Sean Levey was born in Eswatini, to a Swazi mother and an Irish father. In 2001, the family moved to Ireland, where they all worked for Aidan O’Brien, with Levey riding out for the Ballydoyle operation.   

After a period on the pony racing circuit, Levey spent six years as an apprentice jockey with O’Brien, where he often got the opportunity to ride as a pacemaker in major races. In 2011, Levey moved to England, where he spent a brief period with David O’Meara, before moving to Richard Hannon’s yard, where he is still stable jockey.   

Levey’s first Group 1 success came in the 1000 Guineas, on the Richard Hannon trained Billesdon Brook. At odds of 66-1 she was the longest priced winner in the history of the race. Levey and Billesdon Brook went on to have a strong partnership, winning five Group races together.   

Hannon also provided Levey with another famous horse-jockey duo, when partnering him with Rosallion. Together, they won three Group 1 races, in France they won the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, in Ireland, the Irish 2000 Guineas and in England, the St James’s Palace Stakes.