Because of the presence of certain American bloodlines in Tourbillon's pedigree, his offspring were considered "half-bred" (non-Thoroughbred) by the General Stud Book.
[1] According to Phil Bull, the colt demonstrated a high knee action, a low head carriage, and "an exceptionally long and powerful stride".
[8] On 9 July he contested France's most valuable and prestigious race for three-year-olds, the Grand Prix de Paris over 3000 metres at the recently re-opened Longchamp Racecourse.
[8] On his first and only appearance outside France, Caracalla was part of an exceptionally strong[10] team of French stayers sent to Royal Ascot in June.
Ridden by the French-based English jockey Charlie Elliott, he was made 4/9 favourite[11] in a field of seven runners for the meeting's premier event, the Ascot Gold Cup over two and a half miles.
Racing over a distance short of his best, he was outpaced in the early stages but finished strongly to catch Prince Chevalier in the final strides and won by a head.