Carlo Ancelotti aiming to win classic race with horse named after Real Madrid

Ancelotti, whose previous managerial spells included a period spent at Paris Saint-Germain, is synonymous with Real Madrid, having guided the Spanish giants to success in both La Liga and the Champions League, a competition he has won three times with the club and five times in total.

It was as a tribute to the Madrid club that his filly, which is co-owned with the Ballylinch Stud and the Écurie des Charmes, was named Gala Real.

Her victory in a Listed Prix de Diane Longines prep established Gala Real, trained by Alessandro and Giuseppe Botti, as a leading fancy for Sunday’s classic under Christophe Soumillon. Alessandro Botti said: “It’s almost certain that a sound surface won’t bother her. Although we know that she acts on soft ground.

“I’ve lived in Chantilly for 15 years and I know the course well. In any case, if the ground rates good, I hope that she will be just as effective on it as on soft ground. Because, if she does, it will open up a lot of opportunities for us further down the line.

“Fillies get only one opportunity to tackle the ‘Diane in their lifetime. I hope that the ground will not be on the fast side. I’m convinced that Gala Real has stamina.

“There’s no doubt that we’re going to get a ‘properly run race’, and not a tactical one, with the presence of British and Irish fillies. In any case, she’s the best horse that I’ve had in my yard.

“’I’m hoping for a race run at a proper gallop, but Christophe Soumillon has carte blanche as he knows her better than me. I have confidence in him, and he has done a lot of work with the filly in the morning.”