[2] Gormley was bred by Castleton Lyons & Kilboy Estate and was entered in the Keeneland September Sale as a yearling, but did not reach his reserve price of $150,000.

"[4] Gormley made his debut in a Maiden Special Weight on September 9, and won impressively by 4 1/4 lengths.

[3] His trainer, John Shirreffs, was so impressed with him that he entered him in the Grade I FrontRunner Stakes off his maiden victory, where he was sent off at odds of 10.80-1.

"[6] On November 5, Gormley ran in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita, as third choice in a field of eleven that was considered fairly evenly matched.

[7] Gormley began his three-year-old campaign on January 7, 2017, by winning the one-mile Sham Stakes at Santa Anita Park, where he was the second choice behind the highly regarded colt American Anthem, who was making his second career start.

After stalking most of the race, he faded during the homestretch, finishing fourth behind Term of Art, Iliad, and winner Mastery.

With American Anthem, Battle of Midway, and stablemate Royal Mo engaged in a speed duel in front, Espinoza altered his tactics and had Gormley stalk from behind.

As they entered the stretch, Gormley started to rally past his tiring rivals, winning by a half-length.

He started to make a run at the top of the stretch but was bumped slightly and forced to switch paths by Practical Joke, then faded to ninth.