Imperial Call will always be remembered as the horse that broke the Irish drought in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1996. That win was the first for an Irish-trained horse in the race since Dawn Run’s epic success in 1986 and it prompted an outpouring of pure joy from the Irish race goers that were present. While he will be best remembered for that win, Imperial Call registered a number of other memorable Grade 1 successes and was a credit to his connections.
Trainers: Fergie Sutherland, Ray Hurley
Principal Jockeys: Conor O’Dwyer, Gerry O’Neill
Grade 1 Wins: Punchestown Heineken Gold Cup (1999), John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase (1998), Cheltenham Gold Cup (1996), Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup (1996)
Early Days
Having been put through the hands of the legendary horse dealer Tom Costello, Imperial Call was bought and sent to the Co. Cork yard of Fergie Sutherland by his owners Lisselan Farms. They didn’t have to wait long to get a return, with the four-year-old making it second-time lucky over hurdles in a maiden at Limerick in April 1993. The following season saw him make very solid progression over hurdles, winning three of his five starts and stamping himself as an exciting chasing prospect for the 1994/5 campaign.
Chasing Beckons
Imperial Call’s novice chase campaign was one of steady progression, with him winning three of his six starts, with the highlight coming in the Grade 3 Nas Na Ri EBF Chase at Naas in March. However, perhaps his most encouraging performance came in his final start of the season, with him finishing a close third to Strong Platinum in the Grade 1 Powers Gold Cup at the Fairyhouse Easter Festival. That performance suggested that better still would be forthcoming in 1995/6 and that very much proved to be the case.
Progressing To Cheltenham
Imperial Call resumed his progression in his very first start of the 1995/6 campaign, winning the Grade 3 Morris Oil Chase at Clonmel in great style. He fell at the first fence in his next start in the Grade 1 Punchestown Chase, but he soon resumed winning ways on his very next start in the McCain Handicap Chase at Leopardstown, getting the better of his old rival Strong Platinum. That win set him up for another bid for his first Grade 1 success in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown and despite blundering at the final fence, he comfortably got the better of the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Master Oats under his new partner Conor O’Dwyer. That win fuelled Irish hopes that Imperial Call could become the first Irish-trained winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup since the iconic Dawn Run a decade earlier and the seven-year-old was sent off at 9/2 to take the spoils. Given a no-nonsense ride by O’Dwyer, Imperial Call stayed on gamely from two out to beat off the challenge of the subsequent Aintree Grand National winner Rough Quest by four lengths. The win prompted unbelievable scenes of celebration and there was a stampede of ecstatic Irish punters to the winner’s enclosure.
Two Seasons In The Wilderness
Despite looking set to be Ireland’s top chaser for many seasons ahead, the next two campaigns were very disappointing for Imperial Call. Indeed, the 1996/7 was unmitigated disaster for him, with heavy defeats in two domestic Grade 1 contests being followed by him being pulled up in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. 1997/8 was a bit better, with him winning the Grade 2 Ericsson Chase at Leopardstown, but finishing the campaign on a low note when finishing lame in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown.
A New Trainer Revitalises
Not long after that defeat at Leopardstown, Imperial Call’s veteran trainer Fergie Sutherland decided to retire and the nine-year-old was transferred to the care of the 23-year-old rookie trainer Raymond Hurley. The decision raised many eyebrows at the time, but Hurley didn’t waste any time proving that he was up to the task, as he saddled Imperial Call to make a winning seasonal reappearance in the Munster National at Limerick in October 1998. While he was narrowly beaten in the Cork Grand National a few weeks later, he soon got back to winning ways in a conditions chase at Naas. That win set him up for his return to Grade 1 company in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase and despite having Doran’s Pride in opposition, Imperial Call was not to be denied, grinding out a 1½ length victory under Paul Carberry. The King George VI Chase at Kempton was his next port of call, but he finished a tired third on the day. Hurley was not 100% happy with Imperial Call in his preparation for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, so he opted to miss that race and target the Punchestown Heineken Gold Cup at the Punchestown Festival instead. Florida Pearl was considered a good thing for the race, but Imperial Call put on a fine show of front-running to record an easy 14 lengths success under Ruby Walsh.
Unfortunately, that would prove to be Imperial Call’s final win, as he finished lame on his seasonal reappearance in 1999/2000 and despite attempts to get him back to the races, he was eventually retired. His win at Cheltenham sealed him place in Irish racing history and that win will live long in the memories of those that witnessed it.
Info supplied by Horse Racing Ireland – Updated January 2011
