Gormley Belmont
| Gormley | |
|---|---|
| Sire | Malibu Moon |
| Grandsire | A.P. Indy |
| Dam | Race to Urga |
| Damsire | Bernstein |
| Sex | Colt |
| Foaled | March 20th, 2014 |
| Country | United States |
| Colour | Bay |
| Breeder | Castleton Lyons & Kilboy Estate |
| Owner | Jerry and Ann Moss |
| Trainer | John Shirreffs |
| Record | 9: 4-0-0 |
| Earnings | $1,026,000[1] |
| Major wins | |
| FrontRunner Stakes (2016) Sham Stakes (2017) Santa Anita Derby (2017) | |
| Last updated on September 23, 2017 | |
Gormley Belmont High School
Gormley (foaled March 20, 2014, in Kentucky) is a two-time Grade I winning-American Thoroughbred racehorse. One of the leading contenders on the 2017 Road to the Kentucky Derby, Gormley finished ninth in the Derby and fourth in the Belmont Stakes. He was retired in October 2017 to Spendthrift Farm, where his sire, Malibu Moon stands.
Jun 07, 2017 She was joined on the journey by Jerry and Ann Moss' Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby winner Gormley, trained by John Shirreffs, on assignment for the Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets. Shirreffs said the trip took about 12 hours from Southern California, including a refueling stop, but was otherwise uneventful. Jun 05, 2017 The Belmont Stakes won't have the Kentucky Derby winner or the Preakness winner, but it won't have a shortage of entries, with a bulky field of 12 or 13 set to contest the last and longest leg of. Jun 08, 2017 Royal Mo will never race again, leaving the colors of Ann and Jerry Moss to be carried in the Belmont by Gormley, a son of Malibu Moon who finished ninth in the Derby after breaking from post 18.
Background[edit]
Gormley is a bay colt with a thin blaze and a sock on his left-hind leg. His sire is Malibu Moon, best known as the sire of Kentucky Derby winner Orb. He is the first foal out of Race to Urga, a stakes winner by Bernstein.[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. He was then purchased privately after the sale by Jerry and Ann Moss.[3]
Gormley is named after British sculptor Antony Gormley. 'It was a name I was familiar with from my many trips to England,' said Ann Moss. 'I’ve tried to buy a few of his sculptures, but I couldn’t get it done.'[4]
2016: two-year-old season[edit]
Gormley Belmont Ohio
Gormley made his debut in a Maiden Special Weight on September 9, and won impressively by 4 1/4 lengths. He was ridden by jockey Victor Espinoza, who had worked with him through the summer.[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. Gormley broke well, went to the lead on the first turn, and led the rest of the way. His winning margin was three lengths over the well-regarded Klimt, winner of the Del Mar Futurity.[5] After the race, Shirreffs stated: 'He looks like a million bucks, he's a beautiful horse and he's doing really well. I like that when he got into that big gear he has, he didn't get too excited for a young horse and today he was all business.'[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. He bobbled at the break, then moved into fifth while racing four wide. Rounding the final turn, he started to drop back, eventually finishing seventh.[7]
2017: three-year-old season[edit]
Gormley Belmont Oh
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. On a sloppy track, Gormley broke quickly and took the early lead, but then settled and let American Anthem take the lead. Gormley raced in second, about a length behind. Down the backstretch, Gormley moved alongside and the two horses fought for the lead around the far turn. Gormley started to pull ahead a little in mid-stretch, but American Anthem battled back, and the two dueled to the wire, with Gormley prevailing to win by a short head. After the race, Shirreffs said: 'He's quick. He starts quick and he gets away quickly, but then he checks himself as he gets into the race and he relaxes. It was great to see him pick it back up again and get it done.'[8]
After his win in the Sham Stakes, Gormley was entered in the San Felipe Stakes, also at Santa Anita, on March 11. After stalking most of the race, he faded during the homestretch, finishing fourth behind Term of Art, Iliad, and winner Mastery.[9] Gormley raced in the Santa Anita Derby, one of the major Kentucky Derby preps. Despite his San Felipe run, he was liked by the bettors and was installed at 9/2 odds for the morning line. 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.[10] Espinoza noted: 'He works really hard and that’s what it takes.” [11]
After his win, B. Wayne Hughes announced that he had purchased Gormley's breeding rights, and that he will stand Gormley at his Spendthrift Farm when he retires from racing. Spendthrift Farm also owns Gormley's sire, Malibu Moon, who is the sire of Kentucky Derby winner Orb.[12]
On May 6, Gormley started in the 2017 Kentucky Derby where he was largely dismissed by the bettors at odds of 20-1. Starting from post position in 18 in a field of 20, he was carried four wide around both turns. 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.[13] Espinoza stated: “I had a great trip, but not enough horse. He never really picked up the bridle.” [14]
Gormley made his next start in the Belmont Stakes, and was made 8-1 on morning line odds. Gormley raced near the early pace and mounted a challenge around the far turn but tired down the stretch to finish fourth, four lengths behind third place-runner Patch, and eight lengths in front of fifth place finisher Senior Investment.[15]
On August 26, Gormley raced in the ungraded Shared Belief Stakes at Del Mar. He broke well, stayed in fourth position on the backstretch and far turn, but never threatened the leaders, finishing a flat fourth, beaten 10 3/4 lengths by winner Battle of Midway.[16] Espinoza said: “He ran all right. I think he needed it. He’ll be better next time.” [17]
Race record[edit]
| Date | Track | Race | Grade | Distance | Finish | Margin | Time | Odds | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9/4/2016 | Del Mar Racetrack | Maiden Special Weight | x | 61⁄2furlongs | 1st | 41⁄4 lengths | 1:17.79 | 6.70 | [18] |
| 10/1/2016 | Santa Anita Park | FrontRunner Stakes | I | 11⁄16 miles | 1st | 3 lengths | 1:43.57 | 10.80 | [19] |
| 11/5/2016 | Santa Anita Park | Breeders' Cup Juvenile | I | 11⁄16 miles | 7th | (161⁄4) lengths | 1:42.60 | 5.20 | [7] |
| 1/7/2017 | Santa Anita Park | Sham Stakes | III | 1 mile | 1st | head | 1:35.89 | 1.60 | [20] |
| 3/11/2017 | Santa Anita Park | San Felipe Stakes | II | 11⁄16 miles | 4th | (93⁄4 lengths) | 1:42:28 | 2.10 | [21] |
| 4/8/2017 | Santa Anita Park | Santa Anita Derby | I | 11⁄8 miles | 1st | 1⁄2 length | 1:51.16 | 6.20 | [22] |
| 5/6/2017 | Churchill Downs | Kentucky Derby | I | 11⁄4 miles | 9th | (141⁄4 lengths) | 2:03.59 | 22.30 | [13] |
| 6/10/2017 | Belmont Park | Belmont Stakes | I | 11⁄2 miles | 4th | (12 lengths) | 2:30.02 | 9.10 | [15] |
| 8/26/17 | Del Mar Racetrack | Shared Belief Stakes | x | 1 mile | 4th | (10 3/4) | 1:35.94 | 3.20 | [23] |
Pedigree[edit]
| Sire Malibu Moon b. 1997 | A. P. Indy dkb/br. 1989 | Seattle Slew dkb/br. 1974 | Bold Reasoning |
|---|---|---|---|
| My Charmer | |||
| Weekend Surprise b. 1980 | Secretariat | ||
| Lassie Dear | |||
| Macoumba b. 1992 | Mr. Prospector b. 1970 | Raise a Native | |
| Gold Digger | |||
| Maximova (FR) b. 1980 | Green Dancer | ||
| Baracala | |||
| Dam Race to Urga b. 2008 | Bernstein b. 1997 | Storm Cat dkb/br. 1983 | Storm Bird |
| Terlingua | |||
| La Affirmed b. 1983 | Affirmed | ||
| La Mesa | |||
| Miss Mambo dkb/br. 2001 | Kingmambo b. 1990 | Mr. Prospector | |
| Miesque | |||
| Troika ch. 1994 | Strawberry Road (AUS) | ||
| Estrapade (Family 23-b) |
Gormley is inbred 3x4 to Mr. Prospector, meaning that Mr. Prospector appears once in the third generation and once in the fourth generation of his pedigree.
References[edit]
- ^'Gormley Profile'. www.equibase.com. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
- ^'Race To Urga Horse Pedigree'. www.pedigreequery.com. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
- ^ abAndersen, Steve. 'Jockey Espinoza has career day with three Grade 1 wins'. Daily Racing Form. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
- ^'Gormley an Equine Work of Art in Progress'. www.thoroughbreddailynews.com. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
- ^http://www.drf.com/news/gormley-left-alone-lead-frontrunner
- ^Angst, Frank. 'Gormley Upsets FrontRunner Field'. BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
- ^ ab'Chart for the 2016 Breeders' Cup Juvenile'. Equibase. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
- ^'Gormley Edges American Anthem in Sham'. BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
- ^'Mastery Dominates San Felipe, Sustains Injury After'. BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
- ^'Gormley Outlasts Rivals in Santa Anita Derby'. BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
- ^http://www.santaanita.com/stakes-quotes/santa-anita-derby-quotes-saturday-april-8-2017/#.Wccg6rKGPIU
- ^https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/220946/gormley-officially-to-spendthrift-on-retirement
- ^ ab'Chart of the Kentucky Derby'. Equibase. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
- ^https://www.kentuckyderby.com/horses/news/kentucky-derby-143-jockey-quotes
- ^ ab'Chart of the Belmont Stakes'(PDF). Equibase. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
- ^https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/223294/battle-of-midway-cruises-to-shared-belief-stakes-win
- ^https://www.dmtc.com/media/news/shared-belief-stakes-quotes-964
- ^'Chart for September 4, 2016'. Equibase. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
- ^'Chart for the FrontRunner Stakes'. Equibase. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
- ^'Chart for the Sham Stakes'. Equibase. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
- ^'Chart of the San Felipe Stakes'. Equibase. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
- ^'Chart of the Santa Anita Derby'(PDF). Equibase. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
- ^http://www.equibase.com/premium/chartEmb.cfm?track=DMR&raceDate=08/26/2017&cy=USA&rn=7
- ^http://www.equineline.com/Free-5X-Pedigree.cfm/Gormley?page_state=DISPLAY_REPORT&reference_number=9688618®istry=T&horse_name=Gormley&dam_name=Race%20to%20Urga&foaling_year=2014&include_sire_line=Y
After discussions earlier in the week, Malibu Moon’s Grade 1-winning colt Gormley was entered in Saturday’s $1.5 million Belmont S. (G1), the final leg of the Triple Crown.
Gormley, owned by Jerome and Anne Moss, drew post 3 for Saturday’s 1 1/2-mile contest and will be ridden by regular rider Victor Espinosa.
Gormley Belmont Ky
“He deserves the opportunity,” said Dottie Ingordo-Shirreffs, wife of trainer John Shirreffs and racing manager for the Mosses.
Gormley got a less-than-clean trip the Kentucky Derby, finishing mid-pack, leaving his connections hoping for more for the winner of the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and Sham S. (G3) earlier in the year.
Gormley has worked three times since the Derby, increasing in distance each time as he prepares for the longest of the Triple Crown races.
“He was steady all the way, finished great, and galloped out nice,” Espinoza said of Gormley’s seven-furlong work on June 3. “It went the way I wanted it to. I didn’t want him slowing down, so that was good.”
The decision to run Saturday was made by his owner and trainer after consulting with Spendthrift Farm’s owner B. Wayne Hughes. Spendthrift has the breeding rights to Gormley upon his retirement. Gormley is Malibu Moon’s leading active runner of 2017 with $684,000 in earnings this year.
Post time for the Belmont, which will be televised live on NBC-TV, is at 6:37 p.m. ET.