Sean Levey: It's hard not to feel aggrieved at what has happened to me

Sean Levey said on Wednesday that he had been "aggrieved" at being stood down from riding in the past week and that he wants a full investigation into what occured.

A week ago, at Sandown, Levey gave a random saliva sample and was immediately informed that it had tested positive for amphetamine.

Levey was confident he had not consumed anything that could have led to that result and immediately requested a urine sample, which was taken within 24 hours.

Today, six days later, the urine sample has come back negative. But as a result of the positive saliva test, he lost out on the Racing League final and a number of other rides for something that he believes could have been resolved a lot sooner.

The Swaziland-born rider was leading the jockeys’ standings in the Racing League after riding five winners and accumulating 228 points. He seemed on the brink of landing the £20,000 bonus for being leading rider but, in his absence, was caught by Saffie Osborne, whose remarkable Newcastle treble helped her to 243 points.

Levey, who enjoyed Group One success aboard Aristia in the Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville last month and has booted home 58 winners in Britain this year, has not been seen in competitive action since riding at Yarmouth last Tuesday, but will be back in action on on Friday, with five booked rides at Haydock.

The Classic-winning jockey said: "Although I am happy to be back riding later this week, it's hard not to feel aggrieved at what has happened to me the last few days.

“Some might say I've been unlucky with the false positive happening just before the Racing League final, but I sincerely hope that there are lessons to be learned from this and that similar things don't happen to jockeys in the future.

"I appreciate the support I’ve received from trainers, fellow jockeys and my sponsor SBK throughout the past week. I look forward to getting back in the saddle this weekend."

The BHA confirmed Levey’s return to action on Tuesday. A spokesperson said: “The BHA can confirm that Sean Levey is able to ride and will be making no further comment at this time as the matter remains confidential.”