The Gurkha is a bay colt with a small white star bred in Ireland by the Chintz Syndicate, a breeding company associated with the John Magnier's Coolmore Stud organisation.

His other progeny include Cape Blanco, Frankel, Golden Lilac, Nathaniel, New Approach, Rip Van Winkle and Ruler of the World.

In a similar event at Navan Racecourse eleven days later he was partnered by Ryan Moore and started 11/8 second favourite behind the Dermot Weld-trained Aasheq.

[5] On 15 May The Gurkha was moved up sharply in class when he was sent to France for the Group One Poule d'Essai des Poulains over 1600 metres, with his owners paying a supplementary fee as he had not been among the original entrants.

He accelerated away from the field in the closing stages and won by five and a half lengths from First Selection who held on for second ahead of Dicton and George Patton in a three-way photo finish.

[8] In the event, O'Brien opted to rely on US Army Ranger for Epsom and sent The Gurkha to Royal Ascot for a much anticipated clash with Galileo Gold and Awtaad in the St James's Palace Stakes on 14 June.

Starting the 4/5 favourite he was restrained by Moore towards the rear of the seven-runner field he began to make progress approaching the final turn but has hampered and forced to switch to the outside in the straight.

On 2 July the colt was moved up in distance and matched against older horses for the first time when he contested the Eclipse Stakes over ten furlongs at Sandown Park Racecourse.