As the new jumps season is approaching rapidly we thought it a good time to update you on the progress of each of our horses.
Last year’s sales activity resulted in three top quality purchases, and we have every confidence they will prove our enthusiasm justified when they hit the track this autumn. Against that back ground we felt some pressure in trying to match that quality at the sales this year. In the end, we acquired four new horses for the coming season at the Goff’s Sale and Derby Sale in Ireland. We are very happy with the quality of all of our purchases and they are more forward as a bunch than the class of 2016 so should reach the track much sooner. The partnerships are open for subscription and there are no monthly fees payable until December. If you know anyone who may be interested we would be grateful if you would pass on the details. In addition to the new acquisitions we are delighted that Imperial Reprise will finally make his debut on the track.
IMPERIAL ACOLYTE (by Kalanisi ex Isabello)
TRAINER: NIGEL TWISTON-DAVIES
£1,600 per 5% SHARE then £115 per month / £3,000 per 10% SHARE then £220 per month
We really liked this horse when we saw him at the Goff’s Land Rover sale in June. He is a very correct and athletic horse with a lovely step to him. He is similar in type to Imperial Eloquence who acquired at the same sale two year’s earlier and we don’t anticipate he will take long to come to hand. A very well-balanced individual with a great temperament he has been broken and is in pre-training at Mount Top Stud, and is getting good reviews. We have already had him jumping poles and he seems a natural. He will progress to jumping hurdles before being turned out for his summer break. The selection of a trainer was easy as he is from the family of Banjaxed Girl and Ballykan with which Nigel Twiston- Davies enjoyed considerable success. Following his break, he will be back into pre-training and you can expect to see him primed for a bumper this autumn. His half-brother Mountain King (by Definite Article) was a very good winner for Gordon Elliot at Perth earlier this week. You can download the full information pack from our website using the link below:
http://www.imperial-horseracing.com/_assets/media/horse/23-infopack.pdf
IMPERIAL ALCAZAR (by Vinnie Roe ex Maddy’s Supreme)
TRAINER: FERGAL O’BRIEN
£2,250 per 5% SHARE then £115 per month / £4,950 per 10% SHARE then £220 per month
Imperial Alcazar is a stunning athletic individual who covers a lot of ground. He has a great national hunt pedigree being a half-brother to black type winner Jessber's Dream from the family of Native Upmanship and Oscar Rock. His sire Vinnie Roe is responsible for some of the best national hunt prospects around, including Neon Wolf, Barney Dwan, Royal Caviar and Big Bad John. He was at the very top of our short list and we were delighted to be able to buy him at the Derby sale at Tattersalls in June. He has already been broken and ridden away, and has a great attitude to learning. He is simply one of the nicest individuals we have ever offered for syndication and a top-quality prospect. At just short of 16’2 he already has the build of a chaser, and moves very well. They have already fallen in love with him at Mount Top Stud where he is in pre-training, and he has a bright future ahead of him.
You can download the full information pack from our website using the link below:
http://www.imperial-horseracing.com/_assets/media/horse/24-infopack.pdf
IMPERIAL ELYSIAN (by Kalanisi ex Diva Antonia)
TRAINER: FERGAL O’BRIEN
£1,900 per 5% SHARE then £115 per month / £3,500 per 10% SHARE then £220 per month
Sometimes we see a horse at the sales that just has to be bought. Imperial Elysian was one of those horses, as well as being a fine looking individual he is a beautiful athletic mover and from a sire on an upward curve. He comes from a great national hunt pedigree with a Kings Theatre dam whose family line includes Pampalino, Goonyella, and Blacklough. He is a sharp, forward type who should be ready to go this season. We were delighted to be able to secure him for what is likely to prove to be a bargain price. His nominated trainer Fergal O’Brien was with us on the day and excited at the prospect of having him at Grange Hill Farm. He has already been broken and is in pre-training at Mount Top Stud where he has schooled over poles. We have already had considerable success with his sire, and this could prove to be the best of his progeny we have had through our hands. We would be disappointed if he didn't win his bumper this autumn. You can download the full information pack from our website using the link below:
http://www.imperial-horseracing.com/_assets/media/horse/25-fullreport.pdf
IMPERIAL ESPRIT (by Scorpion ex Sheourpresent)
TRAINER: HARRY FRY
£2,000 per 5% SHARE then £115 per month / £3,875 per 10% SHARE then £220 per month
We were delighted to be able to purchase Imperial Esprit at the Derby Sale in June 2017, at what could well prove to be a bargain price. He is a really attractive son of Scorpion from the same pedigree cross as Might Bite. His sire Scorpion is producing some high-quality winners including Might Bite, Don’t Touch It, Tell Us More and The Nipper. Imperial Esprit is a lovely loose moving horse who has great size, scope and balance. He has a very solid national hunt pedigree coming from the family of Diamond Harry, it’s a Snip, Drumlargan and Coin Man. Unlike many of the sire’s progeny he has a great temperament. Standing 16’ 1 he has plenty of size and will be suited by jumping a fence in time. We have enjoyed recent success with his sire with An Caisteal Nuadh. Imperial Esprit has been broken and is in pre-training at Mount Top Stud and is held in high regard. Despite his size he is very forward and we would not anticipate waiting too long to see him on a race track.You can download the full information pack from our website using the link below:
http://www.imperial-horseracing.com/_assets/media/horse/26-infopack.pdf
IMPERIAL REPRISE (by Milan ex Sheourpresent)
TRAINER: COLIN McBRATNEY
12-month free lease per 5% SHARE then £115 per month / 12-month free lease per 10% SHARE then £220 per month. (There will be an option to renew the lease of the share following expiry of the initial 12-month term)
This is a horse with a story, having developed a rare bone deformity issue after we bought him at the Tattersalls Derby Sale in 2014. Despite being advised that we should cut our losses and have him put down, we were determined to give him every chance. At the time, we were hopeful he might make a riding horse or pet at best. Instead he has made a remarkable recovery and withstood a full season of pre-training last year. He showed a decent level of ability in the process, so we have decided to let him make his racing debut next season. Shares are available on a year by year basis with no upfront cost and a fixed monthly payment. He will be trained by Colin McBratney so will be seen on tracks in Ireland and England as we look for the right races. Based on what we have seen he will be winning races. We will focus on getting a handicap mark over hurdles and kick on from there. You can download the full information pack from our website using the link below:
http://www.imperial-horseracing.com/_assets/media/horse/22-infopack.pdf
As well as the new horses, we welcome two new trainers to our ranks.
HARRY FRY has developed a reputation as one of the best young trainers around since he gained his trainer's licence in October 2012. That decision came after he had trained Rock On Ruby to win the champion hurdle whilst working as assistant trainer to Paul Nicholls. He has increased his total of winners and prize money each year since. Last year he succeeded in breaking through the £1 million prize money barrier for the first time, with an impressive score of 69 wins (including two in Ireland) which saw him finish 13th in the trainer’s table. He has enjoyed considerable success at the highest level with Bitofapuzzle, Unowhatimeanharry, American and Neon Wolf. Harry will be training IMPERIAL ESPRIT next season.
COLIN McBRATNEY has been a long-time friend of Imperial Racing and we are delighted to add him to our list of trainers. Colin comes from a farming background, and graduated to training when taking over the reins of his brother David point to point operation. In the 15 years since Colin took out his trainer’s licence, he has achieved considerable success, including a spectacular Galway Plate success with Ballyholland in 2009 the first Northern Ireland winner in 35 years. Colin trains from Templeburn Stud which is near the town of Crossgar, Co. Down. It lies in the heart of Northern Ireland’s horse racing scene, situated 10 miles from Downpatrick Racecourse and 15 miles from Down Royal Racecourse. Colin will be training IMPERIAL REPRISE next season.
All of our horses have summered well in Ireland, and are commencing their pre-season routines.
IMPERIAL AURA started his road work three weeks ago and is due to start cantering at the end of next week. He has summered really well and has grown during his break. He is a much stronger horse than last year and will benefit from his experience last summer when heading into full training with Kim Bailey this autumn.
IMPERIAL ELIXIR is the second of the trio who have been pounding the roads over the last three weeks, and has also summered particularly well. He has sprouted half and inch over the summer and looks a stronger horse more mature horse for his break. He showed plenty of ability in his spell with Fergal O’Brien last year, and only failed to make the track due to a succession of dirty trac washes. He is one we will be eagerly looking forward to as soon as we get some cut in the ground.
IMPERIAL NEMESIS makes up the trio and is the most substantial of the three. Given his size it was no surprise he took time to come to terms with the Naunton gallops in his spell with Nigel Twiston-Davies last season. That said he improved dramatically after being wormed and getting rid of some unwanted passengers. The stable were very happy with his work before he returned to Ireland, and given his substantial size he will benefit more than most for his summer break. Whilst he is a chaser in the making he will be competitive when he starts in bumpers on galloping tracks.
DEPUTY COMMANDER has now been on the walker for 8 weeks. He is moving well and will be booked in for another scan with the vet in the next 10 days. His original scan showed several small lesions on the tendon rather than a hole, so a lot will hinge on what the next scan shows.
AN CAISTEAL NUADH has been on the easy list since his Limerick win. Frustratingly we cannot seem to track down the issue. A series of x-rays and scans have shown there is no deep-rooted issue, but he continues to be stiff and sore after his races. Despite his age he is still physically immature and the issue may resolve itself, in the meantime we will leave no stone unturned. As he showed in his bumper win and his victory at Limerick he is a horse with a substantial engine, and should land some decent prizes if we can get him right.
IORA GLAS sadly pulled up lame at Perth and had to be transported back to the stables in the horse ambulance. He is comfortable at home but the current scans are not as positive as we had hoped and it may be that his racing days are at an end. He is currently recuperating at a livery yard, and will stand in for another 6 to 8 weeks before we get a definitive scan. If that scan confirms the tendon damage indicated on the first pass then he will be retired. Whilst that would be a disappointing outcome the tendon would heal in time (12 to 18 months) after which he would be able to start a new career as a loved pet and riding horse. We owe a debt of gratitude to Paddy Brennan who performed miracles to swerve across the field and pull him up without jumping the third last. Had he jumped the fence and caused additional damage it may well have been fatal. Whatever happens he is a Cheltenham winner, and you don’t get many of those. We will ensure he has a happy retirement, with plenty of polos on a daily basis.
IMPERIAL REPRISE and IMPERIAL ELOQUENCE were brought in yesterday. After an appointment with the farrier they will start their road work on Monday. They will be well into their cantering routine by the owner’s champagne day on August 18th day. IMPERIAL ELOQUENCE has not put on too much weight and was given an extra couple of weeks due as he was last to grass having run at Warwick and May. IMPERIAL REPRISE showed enough at home last season to confirm he will be winning races, and we are looking forward to his first run.
FLIGHT OFFICER heads up our flat runners and has also had some time off with ligament problems. The latest scans have been very positive, and as a result he has resumed walking and trotting. All being well he should be cantering in the next 10 days. He didn’t get the trip in his run at Newcastle and will resume over 6f shorter where we expect him to be very competitive.
LYRICAL PURSUIT our 2-y-o filly managed to finish second at a price of 50/1 on Northumberland Plate day at Newcastle. Hadaaf the winner of that race has since been beaten a length in a listed event at Vichy and will be rated over 100. Although well beaten we got a bit close to him at Newcastle, so were pleased enough with a mark of 70 awarded after her latest run at York. She came back a bit sore from that race, and as a sizeable 2-y-o filly we are taking our time. She will be competitive next time out, either in a maiden on a lesser track or using he mark of 70 to good effect.
WELD AL EMARAT is the forgotten horse but has now resumed full training. Formerly owned by Rabbah bloodstock he was well regarded by Kevin Ryan and Simon Crisford despite proving difficult to train. He is a confirmed wind sucker who needed some tlc when we acquired him. He looks a very different horse now, after having treatment for a tendon strain detected in his initial work. We believe he is capable of improving from his mark of 86, and will be looking for races for him in four to five weeks’ time.
WINGED CRUSADER was sold at the Doncaster HIT sale having given us some loyal service and landing 5 races in the process. It is rare we sell horses, they are normally retired to good homes. In this case he was acquired by Simon Waugh and will be a fun horse for Amie Waugh to ride in local point to points. As the yard is only 13 miles from here I intend to head up there soon to catch up with him, and hopefully our paths will cross during the point season. I will get some photographs to keep those of you interested up to date.
Finally, a last call for our owner’s champagne day in Ireland on Friday 18th August 2017. We have had a good response but there is still time to book if you are still to confirm. The format will be the same, there will be a change to see the horses parade and observe their pre-training work. Followed by a champagne reception and a long lunch with further liquid refreshment. Eyssen, Jackie, Kevin and Anna are first class hosts and it is always a great occasion. It is a chance to see the pre-training work we do with the horses up close, and view the new recruits acquired at this year’s sales. You can fly into either Belfast International (10 mins from the yard) or Belfast City (20 mins from the yard). If you are travelling on the morning of the event we recommend you arrive at the airport in Belfast no later than 8.30am to allow for transfer to the yard by 9.00am. Our preferred hotel is the Hilton Templepatrick which is reasonable value and well located, we recommend you book now if you wish to join us as it has a golf complex attached and can get busy. http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/united-kingdom/hilton-belfast-templepatrick-golf-and-country-club-BFSTPHN/index.html
Hope to see you all there