Tony Bin
Vitigès was a chestnut horse with a white star and white socks on his hind legs bred in France by Hervé de la Héronnière. He was the best horse sired by Phaëton, an Irish-bred grey stallion best known for winning the Grand Prix de Paris in 1967. Vitigès' dam Valé, won at least two races and produced several other winners including Virunga, who finished third behind Allez France and Dahlia in the Prix de Diane. As a granddaughter of the broodmare Calluna, Valé was related to many other good winners including Athens Wood, Bolkonski, Dibidale (Irish Oaks, Yorkshire Oaks), Tony Bin and Viva Pataca. As a yearling, Vitiges was sold for ₣72,000 and entered the ownership of Mrs Marc Laloum. The colt was sent into training with Gérard Philippeau at Maisons-Laffitte in France.