Bred by sugar magnate Adolph B. Spreckels at his Napa Stock Farm, Morvich was sired by James R. Keene's stallion Runnymede and was out of the mare Hymir by Dr. Leggo.

"[1] Despite the predictions at the time, under future Hall of Fame trainer Fred Burlew, in 1921 Morvich had one of the best seasons in American racing history for a two-year-old.

Dominating performances against the best horses in his age group made Morvich the runaway winner of American Champion Two-Year-Old Colt honors.

Triple Crown races had not yet become the major event for three-year-olds, Morvich did not compete in the Preakness Stakes (which was run on the same day as the Kentucky Derby in 1922).

Instead, his handlers sent him to New York City to compete in the Carlton Stakes where racing fans at Aqueduct Racetrack watched as Harry Payne Whitney's colt Whiskaway handed Morvich his first defeat.