He was sired by Kodiac, a sprinter who won four minor races from twenty starts and finished second in the Hackwood Stakes and fourth in the Prix Maurice de Gheest.

[4] El Bodegon's dam Al Andalyya showed little racing ability, failing to win in five attempts,[5] but did better as a broodmare, producing the Caulfield Cup winner Best Solution.

Ryan Moore took the ride when the colt was stepped up in class and started a 16/1 outsider for the Group 3 Prix La Rochette over 1400 metres at Longchamp Racecourse on 5 September.

In a change of tactics he led from the start but was overtaken in the last 50 metres and came home third behind Acer Alley and Making Moovies [sic], beaten half a length and a short neck.

[8] Twenty four days later El Bodegon was moved up in distance for the Group 3 Prix de Conde over 1800 metres at Chantilly Racecourse and went off the 7.9/1 fourth choice in a six-runner field.