Tassa makes it Super day for Italians

Super Tassa gained a famous victory when becoming the first Italian-trained horse to win in Britain for 41 years when taking the honours in the Group One Aston Upthorpe Yorkshire Oaks on the Knavesmire today.

The last time Italy triumphed here was in 1960 when Marguerite Vernaut won the Champion Stakes at Newmarket and there was no disguising the delight of Super Tassa`s connections at ending the barren spell.

Champion jockey Kevin Darley produced her with a perfectly-timed run to lead approaching the final furlong and she went right through with her effort to beat Sacred Song by a length.

Super Tassa is a first runner in Britain for Pisa-based trainer Valfredo Valiani, who also owns her in partnership with Englishman Cyril Humphries.

Valiani said: 'I have been training for 15 years and it is my first horse in this country.

'I have been waiting that long to have a runner here so it is a great occasion. I don`t know why I waited, it looks so easy now!'

He went on: 'I would love to come back, I learned to be a trainer in England and was with Luca Cumani in 1981 and 1985, the horse has been with Luca for 10 days and had been working very well.

'Mr Humphries said Kevin Darley was an experienced jockey to have and Luca also suggested we get him. I don`t think she will go for the Arc, last year she did not end the season very well, though she may do this time.'