[4] Ali-Royal's dam, Alidiva, who was probably the best horse sired by Chief Singer, won at Listed level and was a half-sister to the Prix d'Ispahan winner Croco Rouge.
Alidiva became a very successful broodmare, producing the Group One winners Taipan (Preis von Europa, Premio Roma) and Ali-Royal's full-sister Sleepytime.
[6] Ali-Royal ran nine times as a three-year-old in 1996, starting with a third place behind Ramooz and Bahamian Knight in the Classic Trial at Thirsk Racecourse on 20 April.
[7] At Royal Ascot in June, Ali-Royal was stepped up in class for the Group Three Jersey Stakes but finished fifth to Lucayan Prince after Ryan had struggled to obtain a clear run in the last quarter mile.
[8] Despite his defeat, the colt was moved up to the highest class and matched against older horses in the Group One Sussex Stakes at Goodwood Racecourse in July, but never looked likely to win and finished seventh of the ten runners behind the four-year-old First Island.
Ridden by the veteran Pat Eddery, he took the lead approaching the last quarter mile and went clear of the field to win by twelve lengths from the five-year-old Nijo.
After being restrained by Fallon in the early stages he took the lead a furlong and a half from the finish and won by two lengths and a head from Wixim and Amrak Ajeeb.
In the Group One Lockinge Stakes at Newbury Racecourse in May he took the lead three furlongs out but was overtaken in the closing stages and finished second, one and a half lengths behind First Island.
After struggling to obtain a clear run and then stumbling when Fallon switched him to the outside he finished third, beaten a neck and one and a quarter lengths by Allied Forces and Centre Stalls.