This weekend's international classic is the traditional and prestigious Prix de Diane-Longines (French Oaks), once again sponsored by the renowned Swiss watch manufacturer. Established in 1843, the "Diane" is one of the highlights of the summer season in Paris and the occasion is considered to represent the epitome of sophistication and horse racing. As before, the race is to be contested over the 2100 m. course at Chantilly, with this year's renewal – the 164^th running, worth a total of €1,000,000  – being down for decision at 3:45 p.m. (local) on Sunday, June 16^th. There is also an accolade (Mademoiselle Diane par Longines 2013) for the lady adjudged to be wearing the most elegant hat!

A crowd in the region of 40,000 is expected and a carnival atmosphere is all but assured. The programme commences at 11:00 a.m. with music, followed by a free concert by popular singer Ms. Nolwenn Leroy at 12:30 p.m. The lawn, with the Grand Stables of the Princes of Condé acting as a magnificent backdrop, is the venue for picnic lunches with the track caterers offering hampers featuring duck rillette. However, once the racing starts at 1:30 p.m., these distractions are put away and everyone is focused on the four-legged action.

Just eleven three-year-old fillies have accepted for the feature, which unusually has no foreign challengers, and hence all the participants are trained in France. Prominent schooler Carlos Laffon-Parias has never scored in this prestigious event and has chosen to rely solely on the talented Silasol (by Monsun) in his latest quest. The Wertheimer standard-bearer is expected to have Olivier Peslier, another to lack a victory in this event on his illustrious resume, to guide her fortunes.

As she has already scored twice at Group 1 level – in the 1600 m. Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp last October and most recently in the Prix Saint-Alary (2000 m.) – she will clearly take a lot of beating. "Silasol is very well, she worked yesterday morning on les Aigles and we'll just have to see how she goes on Sunday now," said Laffon-Parias.

A formidable rival is Flotilla (by Mizzen Mast), who by virtue of her triumph in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French 1000 Guineas) last month is already a Classic winner – and also the highest earner in the field, having banked €707,604 already for her Qatari owner, Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani. Silasol proved the superior by about a couple of lengths when the pair met in the Marcel Boussac on "Arc" weekend last year, but Flotilla has since been in scintillating form, having also annexed the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Santa Anita last November. Christophe-Patrice Lemaire will maintain his association with the ward of Mikel Delzangles.

Also in the field is Jean-Claude Rouget's Alterite (by Literato), who provides the perfect form line as she was a short-head runner-up to Silasol in the Prix Saint-Alary and a mere two heads behind the same  rival in the Prix Marcel Boussac. On the latter occasion she had Flotilla behind her. In between Alterite had somewhat blotted her copybook finishing a dismal tenth (of twenty) in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, but that run can best be ignored.

Leading trainer André Fabre, who has scored before in this race with the likes of Lypharita (1985), Jolypha (1992), Nebraska Tornado (2003) and Golden Lilac (2011), is triple-handed this time. Probably his best prospect for a fifth win is Esoterique (by Danehill Dancer), who is coming off a neck second to Flotilla in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, which has been her only loss to date. Maxim Guyon is scheduled to be the rider for the Baron Edouard de Rothschild home-bred, who has every chance.

After a minor health glitch, Fabre's Tasaday (by Nayef), third to Flotilla in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, has been cleared to race – she will sport Godolphin's silks and have the services of Mickael Barzalona in the saddle. However, she has quite a bit to find on form as does Fabre's third string, Baltic Baroness (by Shamardal), winner of the Gr.3 Prix Cleopatre earlier this season over the Oaks trip, albeit on a left-handed course at Saint-Cloud.

The Head family, mainstays of France's racing and breeding for generations, sends out Treve (by Motivator) but whether the unbeaten filly has improved enough to vault from "Conditions" company to becoming a classic winner will be known only once the race is run. Certainly she has credentials for substantial improvement.

Oddly the Aga Khan stables are not represented but their principal trainer, Alain de Royer-Dupre, who is the most successful of the 8 trainers involved, with six previous successes to his name, sends out Chicquita (by Montjeu) for owner Paul Makin. The filly was unfortunate to have fallen last time out and could well have a psychological burden to overcome, apart from the form gap that separates her from those mentioned above.

The weather is not expected to play a part, so assuming the pace is adequate – something of a rarity in France – and that all the major candidates enjoy a clear run, it ought to be a straightforward fight between Silasol and Flotilla, with Alterite and Esoterique ready to pick up the pieces should the public choices falter.