Tally-Ho breezer Spanish Mission continues to be a star for Team Valor and Gary Barber, with a victory in Friday's Group 2 Yorkshire Cup at York for Andrew Balding the latest accomplishment to come his way.
Ridden patiently by William Buick, Spanish Mission travelled smoothly into contention up the straight and had enough toe to quicken past Sir Ron Priestley and Santiago for an easy near three-length win.
It was the sixth win for Spanish Mission, who was also successful in last year's Group 2 Doncaster Cup and the $1 million Jockey Club Derby Invitational at Belmont Park as a three-year-old.
“It was a good performance," William Buick told reporters. "He won the Doncaster Cup last season in good style under similar conditions; he’s a nice horse.
“There are not many blips in his record and they’ve only come when the ground has been bad or he’s been unfortunate.
“Over this sort of trip he’s got a good turn of foot, and he showed that out there today.”
The son of Noble Mission was bred by St Elias Stables in Kentucky and purchased through Lynch Bloodstock for $125,000 as a Keeneland September yearling. Re-offered by Tally-Ho at the 2018 Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale, he was bought back for 60,000gns on that occasion and went on to carry the colours of the Tick Tock Partnership prior to his sale to current connections.
Spanish Mission's victory came on the same card that fellow Tally-Ho breezer Mas Poder - by Mehmas - ran an excellent fourth in the Listed Marygate Stakes on debut.
