Rosallion hits the target in the St James’s Palace Stakes

A tenacious Sean Levey guides Rosallion to success in the St James’s Palace Stakes for owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum and trainer Richard Hannon.

Hannon labelled Rosallion as the best horse he’s ever trained prior to his second placed effort in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas, before going on to win the Irish 2,000 Guineas just weeks later, but this success certainly tops that.

Dubbed as ‘the race of the week’ the field contained no less than three 2000 Guineas winners, with British winner Notable Speech heading the field. He looked well positioned to take the race as William pulled him wide to challenge, but it never materialised.

It was Aidan O’Brien’s Henry Longfellow who took likely to take the spoils, with Rosallion caught in the pack behind, but Levey found space and his mount duly responded to kick on and run down the Coolmore colt.

Levey said: “I knew it was going to be a bit tactical. He had to be good today and I just knew the stiff track would suit me, and boy was he good. He travelled so well and he picked up strongly – when he has something to aim at he tries. 

“I’m hoping one day they go a really good gallop and he gets to show his true potential because at the moment he’s shown how versatile he is.”

An emotional Richard Hannon said; “We’ve always thought he was an extremely good horse, and he’s proved it before this. I’m just delighted. I always thought he was going very well and we gave Sean a blank canvas to do what he thought was right. I love being a part of these races but winning them is very hard.

“Quite often you call these horses something that they’re not because you want them to be the best horse you’ve trained, and you’re disappointed. He’s never let me down.”