Babieca the goat debuts in Spanish Legion National Day parade

Babieca, a two-and-a-half-year-old male goat, made his debut in the Spanish National Day military parade as the mascot for the Tercio ‘Don Juan de Austria’ 3.º of the Legion. Wearing a red and white ceremonial mantle featuring the Legion's emblem and the Roman numeral VIII, the goat marched alongside the unit's oldest legionnaire, Corporal Blázquez.

The goat's name is inspired by the legendary horse of the medieval figure Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, known as El Cid. Babieca replaces the ram Baraka, who participated in the 2025 parade. While the parade includes hundreds of horses and dogs, Babieca is the only goat to participate, serving as a symbol of the animals that historically accompanied soldiers on military campaigns to provide food.

Babieca is part of the 5th grouping in the parade, which includes the Legion's command, the VIII Bandera ‘Colón’, and the military band. Despite this being his first appearance in Madrid, the goat is reportedly accustomed to marching with the Tercio, having been with the unit since he was a few months old.