Born in Los Angeles, but raised in Oklahoma, he began his professional career in 1955 and between 1959 and 1968 rode in six Kentucky Derbys.
He won the prestigious race aboard Carry Back in 1961 then riding the colt to victory in the Preakness Stakes.
Stolen from his Monrovia, California, home in 1978, twenty-one years later a friend notified him that the engraved sterling silver trophy was being offered for sale on eBay.
After finishing seventh at the Belmont Stakes with Carry Back, he was a Mystery Guest on What's My Line with Arlene Francis, Joey Bishop, Dorothy Kilgallen, and Bennett Cerf on the panel.
Sellers won $10 for stumping Cerf and Francis; Joey Bishop successfully guessed his identity.