Gurkha word itself derived from "Go-Raksha" (), "raksha" becoming "rakha" (रखा). "Rakhawala" means "protector" and is derived from "raksha" as well. There are Gurkha military units in the Nepalese, British and Indian armies enlisted in Nepal, United Kingdom and India. Although they meet many of the requirements of Article 47 of Protocol I of the Geneva Conventions regarding mercenaries, they are exempt under clauses similarly to the French Foreign Legion. Gurkhas are closely associated with the khukuri, a forward-curving Nepali knife, and have a reputation for fearless military prowess. Former Indian Army Chief of Staff Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw once stated
The Gurkha April. Ridden by Seamie Heffernan he started at odds of 7/2 and finished third of the sixteen runners behind his stablemate Claudio Monteverdi. 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. The Gurkha disputed the lead from the start before drawing away from his fifteen rivals in the last quarter mile to win "easily" by nine lengths. 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