Imperial Cup

For the unit of measurement, see Cup (unit).

Imperial Cup Handicap Hurdle
2024
Pink, red chevrons, pink sleeves, white stars, red cap, pink star Pink, brown epaulets, sleeves and cap Pink, mauve star, mauve sleeves, pink stars and cap
Go Dante Faivoir Jipcot
Previous years
2023
Pink, large purple spots, hooped sleeves Light blue, royal blue sleeves, white cap Yellow, purple hoops and armlets, hooped cap
Iceo Knickerbockerglory Playful Saint
2022
White, black stripe, emerald green and black striped sleeves, emerald green cap, black stars Black and white stripes, yellow sleeves, red stars, purple and emerald green quartered cap Mauve, black chevrons on sleeves, white cap
Surprise Package Lively Citizen Hacker Des Places
2021
Royal blue and yellow (quartered), royal blue sleeves, yellow spots, royal blue cap Dark green and yellow stripes, maroon sleeves, yellow cap Royal blue, pink hoop
Langer Dan Miss Heritage Mack The Man
2020-2011
2019
Royal blue, pink hoops, armlets and cap Orange, black star and star on cap Emerald green, dark green sleeves, dark green and emerald green quartered cap
Malaya Monsieur Lecoq Call Me Lord
2018
Light blue and black check, light blue sleeves, white armlets, light blue cap Emerald green, dark green sleeves, dark green and emerald green quartered cap Maroon, beige disc, beige cap
Mr Antolini Call Me Lord Whatswrongwithyou
2017
Dark blue, pink triple diamond, dark blue sleeves, pink stars, dark blue cap, pink star Emerald green, dark green sleeves, dark green and emerald green quartered cap Light blue, brown cross of lorraine, striped sleeves and star on cap
London Prize Fixe Le Kap Darebin
2016
Orange, dark green chevrons, orange sleeves, quartered cap Red, white hoop, white and red check sleeves, white cap, red star Dark blue and white check, red sleeves and cap
Flying Angel Solstice Star Spice Fair
2015
White, black epaulets, maroon and white diabolo on sleeves, black and maroon quartered cap Emerald green, yellow hoops, halved sleeves Yellow, purple star, purple sleeves, yellow armlets, purple cap
Ebony Express Rayvin Black Gassin Golf
2014
Light blue, pink chevrons, light blue sleeves, light blue cap, pink star Yellow, purple star, purple sleeves, yellow armlets, purple cap Dark blue, white sleeves, dark blue diamonds and cap
Baltimore Rock Gassin Golf Vibrato Valtat
2013
Black, red braces, red cap Dark blue and white diabolo, hooped sleeves and cap Yellow, pink sleeves, mauve diamonds, pink cap, mauve diamond
First Avenue Tanerko Emery Kazlian
2012
Royal blue, dark green sleeves and cap Yellow, black chevron, check cap Red, royal blue stripe, red sleeves, white stars, red cap, white star
Paintball Nampour Sire De Grugy
2011
Red, black braces Light blue, brown cross of lorraine, striped sleeves and star on cap Pink and yellow diamonds, yellow sleeves and cap
Alarazi Via Galilei Pateese
2010-2001
2010
Emerald green, yellow hoops, white cap Light blue, red stars, light blue sleeves Orange and yellow diamonds, halved sleeves
Qaspal Oldrik Pepe Simo
2009
Light blue, red stars, light blue cap, red star Royal blue, emerald green sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots Dark blue, light blue hoop, checked sleeves and cap
Dave's Dream Seven Is My Number Prince Taime
2008
Royal Blue, Emerald Green sleeves, White cap, Emerald Green spots Mauve and pink check, white sleeves, pink cap Black, Gold cross and stripe on cap
Ashkazar Fredensborg Albinus
2007
White, Black diamond, Dark Blue and White hooped sleeves, Black cap Brown, pink sleeves, brown and pink quartered cap Light Blue, White hollow box, check cap
Gaspara Flying Falcon Magnesium
2006
BEIGE, royal blue star, hooped sleeves, royal blue cap, beige star Light Green, Orange sleeves and cap Royal Blue, Red cross belts, striped sleeves, hooped cap
Victram Dusky Warbler Verasi
2005
Royal blue, emerald green sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots Black, white sash and sleeves, gold cap RED and YELLOW CHEVRONS, red sleeves and cap
Medison Fenix Monte Cinto
2004
Black, gold cross and stripe on cap Royal blue, orange epaulets, royal blue sleeves, orange spots, royal blue cap, orange diamond Black, white sash and sleeves, gold cap
Scorned Bold Bishop Fenix
2003
Royal blue, emerald green sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots Red, white hoop, white sleeves, pink cap Dark Blue, White cross belts, Yellow sleeves and cap
Korelo Newhall Lawz
2002
Green and white stripes, black and white striped sleeves Light blue and maroon stripes, light blue sleeves, hooped cap White, red seams, red and white quartered cap
Polar Red Impek Scots Grey
2001
Red, white seams, royal blue and white hooped sleeves and cap Yellow, red inverted triangle and armlets Yellow, black chevron, check cap
Ibal Valiramix Rooster Booster
2000-1991
2000
Black, white hooped sleeves, red and white hooped cap Emerald green and yellow hoops, white cap Emerald Green, Yellow hoops, Emerald Green cap, White star
Magic Combination The Gatherer Brigade Charge
1999
Blue, white chevron, chevrons on sleeves, white cap Yellow, black sleeves Dark Blue, Yellow cross belts, collar and cuffs, striped cap
Regency Rake Coulthard Dr Jazz
1998
Dark Blue, Yellow cross belts, collar and cuffs, striped cap White and blue (halved), white sleeves, blue seams, red and white checked cap Orange, brown hooped sleeves, star on cap
Blowing Wind Sadler's Realm Nahrawali
1997
Maroon Light green, white sleeves, yellow armlets Blue, red and yellow striped sleeves, red cap, white star
Carlito Brigante Doctoor Express Gift
1996
Pink, brown diamonds on body White, green triple diamond, diamonds on sleeves and cap Purple, yellow sash, halved sleeves, black cap, yellow spots
Amancio Silver Groom Chief's Song
1995
Dark Blue and White check, Dark Blue sleeves, White cap, Dark Blue star Green and yellow diamonds, green cap Red, black sleeves and diamond on cap
Collier Bay Star Player Kingsfold Pet
1994
White, black braces, armlets and star on cap Yellow, royal blue sash, armlets and cap Orange, royal blue armlets
Precious Boy Riva Leotard
1993
Orange and black stripes, orange sleeves, black armlets, green cap Pink, grey seams, striped sleeves, grey cap Black, gold cross and stripe on cap
Olympian Gymcrak Stardom Spinning
1992
Light green, black seams on body Dark blue, red star, red sleeves, dark blue seams, dark blue cap, red star Black, gold cross and stripe on cap
King Credo Rodeo Star Spinning
1991
White, black braces, armlets and star on cap Orange, white star and sleeves, white cap, orange star Pink, black epaulets and sleeves
Precious Boy Ketti Badrakhani
1990-1988
1990
Grey, maroon chevron and sleeves, quartered cap Dark blue, red hoops and sleeves Royal blue and emerald green stripes, blue sleeves, green cap
Moody Man Penny Forum Joyful Noise
1989
Green, yellow epaulets, white cap Light blue, white disc, red armlets and cap Red and white (quartered), white sleeves, light blue armlets, light blue cap
Travel Mystery Little Toro Afaristoun
1988
Red, black epaulets, hooped cap Red, green cross-belts and armlets, green cap, red star Maroon, white cross of lorraine
Sprowston Boy Jimbalou Capa
 

The Imperial Cup is a National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Sandown Park over a distance of about 2 miles (1 mile, 7 furlongs and 216 yards, or 3,215 metres), and during its running there are eight hurdles to be jumped. It is a handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year in March.

The Imperial Cup was first run in 1907, and in its early years it was considered to be the most important hurdle race of the season. A notable winner during this period was Trespasser, who recorded three successive victories in the race from 1920 to 1922. It continued to be the most prestigious hurdling event until the launch of the Champion Hurdle in 1927.

The race is run on a Saturday in March, three days before the start of the Cheltenham Festival. The sponsors of the Imperial Cup have offered a financial bonus prize to the owner of the winning horse since 1992, awarded if the horse goes on to win any race at the following week's Festival. Winners of this bonus have included Olympian (who won the Coral Cup at Cheltenham), Blowing Wind (County Hurdle) and Gaspara (Fred Winter Hurdle). . The 2016 running was unsponsored and no bonus was offered.[1] The bonus returned in 2017 when new sponsors Matchbook offered a £50,000 prize,[2] which they increased to £100,000 for the 2018 running.[3] The race was upgraded from Listed to Grade Three status by the British Horseracing Board from its 2014 running.[4] It was re-classified as a Premier Handicap from the 2023 running when Grade 3 status was renamed by the British Horseracing Authority.[5] Since 2024 it has been run as a Class 2 handicap.

  1. ^ Riley, Stuart. "Festival bonus unlikely for Imperial Cup winner". Racing Post. Archived from the original on 9 March 2016. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  2. ^ "£50,000 Cheltenham bonus back in play for Imperial Cup winner". Racing UK. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
  3. ^ "O'Brien targets Winter Derby with six-strong entry". Racing Post. 24 January 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  4. ^ "British Horseracing Authority Announces Upgrades to Jump Pattern Races for 2013/14". Archived from the original on 2 August 2013. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
  5. ^ "Jump Pattern Committee update 22/23 season". British Horseracing Authority. Retrieved 6 February 2023.