Imperial Merlin (IRE)
Imperial Merlin is a gelding who has won six of 25 starts on turf, all in handicaps or novices hurdles between 2m1f and 3m. Four of those wins came over 2m5f to 3m, three on good to soft and two on good. He won a Class 4 handicap hurdle at Wetherby in Mar 2026 off an official rating of 120 and finished third of six, having raced prominently, in a Class 3 handicap hurdle at Hexham in Oct 2026 off 122. He has won at six different courses.
- 6–25Wins / Runs
- 24%Strike rate
- 9 (36%)Placed
- +12.70£1 level staken=25 at SP
- 1.08Fair A/E n=25 · 0.96 incl. margin
- 127Highest OR
- 69dAvg between runs
A/E compares actual wins with what starting prices implied. "Fair" strips the bookmaker margin from the expectation, so favourites and longshots are judged on the same footing — figures near 1.00 mean the market priced this horse about right.
KTB Speed and Rating
Best recent Speed 119
How fast the horse ran, as points against the day-corrected standard time for its course and distance: 100 is the median GB Class 4 handicap winner on that code; one point is 0.1% of the standard time. A, B or C is how much the day's card could tell us, not how good the run was. What this means →
| Going | Runs | Best | Median | Since 1 Nov 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good to Soft | 8 | 126A | 111.5 | 3 runs · 119 / 115 |
| Good | 7 | 137A | 93 | 1 run · — |
| Soft | 2 | 126A | 125 | 1 run · — |
| Heavy | 1 | — | — | — |
| Distance | Runs | Best | Median | Since 1 Nov 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2m5f – 3m | 12 | 124A | 101 | 4 runs · 124 / 117 |
| 2m1f – 2m4f | 3 | 126A | 113 | — |
| Over 3m | 2 | 137A | 122.5 | 1 run · — |
| 1m5f – 2m | 1 | — | — | — |
Of 25 runs looked at, 7 have no figure: did not complete (4) · obstacles omitted — the race ran a shortened course (3).
KTB Speed v1 · batch 15 Sep 2026 · GB & Irish racing only · 18 figures from 25 runs · as at 18 Oct 2026 · a record, not a forecast
Both figures are KTB's own, computed from the archive; no vendor rating enters either. Every run's figure is on its form line below with its grade. Grades measure how much the archive could see, never the merit of the run.
The forward record. KTB’s figures on this horse since 10 Oct 2026: top-rated on KTB Rating in 1 run (won 0) · to 10 Oct 2026. Each pick was the figure’s choice before the off, settled against the result the next morning; “did not run” is counted apart. GB and Irish races since 5 Oct 2026.
Run style from 13 analysed runs since Nov 2024
- Mid-division 5 (38%) · 0 wins
- Prominent 4 (31%) · 2 wins
- Held up 4 (31%) · 0 wins
Pedigree intelligence
Progeny in our archive have won 10.5% of 6,748 runs since Jan 2008 (648 horses).
Strongest on good to firm going: 16.1% from 355.
| Going | Runs | Wins | SR | vs sire | This horse |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firm | 14 | 5 | 35.7% | +25.2 | — |
| Good to Firm | 355 | 57 | 16.1% | +5.6 | — |
| Good | 2,080 | 211 | 10.1% | −0.4 | 2 from 9 |
| Good to Soft | 1,150 | 139 | 12.1% | +1.6 | 3 from 9 |
| Soft | 1,965 | 175 | 8.9% | −1.6 | 1 from 5 |
| Heavy | 886 | 90 | 10.2% | −0.3 | 0 from 2 |
| Standard (AW) | 298 | 32 | 10.7% | +0.2 | — |
| Distance (all codes) | Runs | Wins | SR | vs sire | This horse |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 6f | 11 | 0 | 0% | −10.5 | — |
| 6f – 7f | 69 | 3 | 4.3% | −6.2 | — |
| 1m – 1m1f | 166 | 16 | 9.6% | −0.9 | — |
| 1m2f – 1m4f | 401 | 50 | 12.5% | +2 | — |
| 1m5f – 2m | 2,227 | 232 | 10.4% | −0.1 | 0 from 1 |
| 2m1f – 2m4f | 2,092 | 220 | 10.5% | 0 | 2 from 4 |
| 2m5f – 3m | 1,478 | 152 | 10.3% | −0.2 | 4 from 16 |
| Over 3m | 304 | 36 | 11.8% | +1.3 | 0 from 4 |
Flat and jumps together (all codes) · since Jan 2008 · as at 31 Oct 2026 · rows under 30 runs muted · win % is the measure, a record not a forecast
4 siblings in the archive, 2 winners — best of them Secret Investor (GB) (13 wins).
The wins came over 2m–3m3½f; the highest grade won is Grade 2 (Secret Investor (GB)).
| Produce | Runs | Wins | Win trips | Best grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Secret Investor (GB) | 27 | 13 | 2m3½f–3m3½f | Grade 2 |
| Kayf Charmer (GB) | 33 | 4 | 2m–2m5½f | Class 5 |
| Full Of Charm (IRE) | 2 | 0 | — | — |
| Ballywhatsit (IRE) | 3 | 0 | — | — |
Record by conditions
| Going | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | 9 | 2 | 22% | −0.20 |
| Good to Soft | 9 | 3 | 33% | +17.40 |
| Soft | 5 | 1 | 20% | −2.50 |
| Heavy | 2 | 0 | 0% | −2.00 |
| Class | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 3 | 14 | 1 | 7% | −6.00 |
| Class 4 | 7 | 4 | 57% | +21.40 |
| Class 2 | 2 | 0 | 0% | −2.00 |
| Class 5 | 2 | 1 | 50% | −0.70 |
| Course | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kelso | 4 | 0 | 0% | −4.00 |
| Wetherby | 3 | 1 | 33% | +14.00 |
| Cartmel | 2 | 0 | 0% | −2.00 |
| Haydock | 2 | 1 | 50% | +5.50 |
| Ayr | 2 | 1 | 50% | +6.00 |
| Doncaster | 2 | 0 | 0% | −2.00 |
| Newcastle | 2 | 1 | 50% | −0.60 |
| Hexham | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Warwick | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Bangor-on-Dee | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Uttoxeter | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Stratford | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Aintree | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Catterick | 1 | 1 | 100% | +1.50 |
| Sedgefield | 1 | 1 | 100% | +0.30 |
| Distance | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2m5f – 3m | 16 | 4 | 25% | +17.90 |
| Over 3m | 4 | 0 | 0% | −4.00 |
| 2m1f – 2m4f | 4 | 2 | 50% | −0.20 |
| 1m5f – 2m | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Jockey | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henry Brooke | 5 | 1 | 20% | +3.00 |
| Craig Nichol | 5 | 1 | 20% | +2.50 |
| Brian Hughes | 4 | 1 | 25% | −2.70 |
| Sean Quinlan | 3 | 1 | 33% | +14.00 |
| Billy Garritty | 3 | 2 | 67% | +0.90 |
| Harry Skelton | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Jamie Hamilton | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| James Bowen | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Adam Wedge | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Tom Midgley | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Headgear | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| None | 20 | 5 | 25% | +0.70 |
| Cheekpieces | 5 | 1 | 20% | +12.00 |
| Season | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 1 | 25% | +13.00 |
| 2025 | 7 | 1 | 14% | +0.50 |
| 2024 | 5 | 0 | 0% | −5.00 |
| 2023 | 4 | 1 | 25% | +4.00 |
| 2022 | 5 | 3 | 60% | +0.20 |
| Type | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hurdle | 19 | 5 | 26% | +17.40 |
| Chase | 4 | 0 | 0% | −4.00 |
| NH Flat | 2 | 1 | 50% | −0.70 |
Splits include every sample, however small — muted rows are under 3 runs. A one-from-one record is a fact, not a trend: read the Runs column before the strike rate.
Form
| Date | Course | Race | Pos | Btn | Wgt | OR | Spd | KTB | Jockey | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 · 4 runs | ||||||||||
| 10 Oct 26+40d | Hexham | Tackling Insights Handicap Hurdle Race Prominent early - up with the front group 2 out - urged along but made no dent before the last - plodded on to the line to finish 3rd | 3/6 | 4 | 11-9 | 122 | 83A | 126B | Sean Quinlan | 5/1 |
| 31 Aug 26+167d | Cartmel | EWGA Handicap Hurdle Race (GBB Race) Settled in the pack - clumsy 3 out - moved up to challenge in front 2 out - driven with a shout approaching last before fading to finish fourth | 4/7 | 5 | 11-12 | 123 | 108B | 123A | Sean Quinlan | 7/1 |
| 17 Mar 26+53d | Wetherby | racingtv.com Handicap Hurdle Sat close to the pace - asked for effort approaching 3 out - moved up to dispute before the last - went in front on the run-in - held on under pressure to prevail | 1/10 | 12-0 | 120 | 119B | 140A | Sean Quinlan | 16/1 | |
| 23 Jan 26+34d | Warwick | Betano Boosted Odds Every UK Race Handicap Hurdle Held up at the back throughout - dropped well adrift - eased and pulled up before 2 out | PU/9 | — | 12-2 | 122 | — | — | Harry Skelton | 7/1 |
| 2025 · 7 runs | ||||||||||
| 20 Dec 25+35d | Haydock | Betfred Merry Christmas Handicap Hurdle Settled in the pack early - pushed for effort after the 10th then dropped away 3 out - unable to threaten from 2 out home finishing fifth | 5/9 | 1¾ | 11-7 | 123 | 115A | 126A | Brian Hughes | 5/1 |
| 15 Nov 25+71d | Wetherby | Boyle Sports Now Open In Wetherby Handicap Hurdle Settled in the pack - error three out then pushed along before the final fence to stay on - held for fourth | 4/9 | 1 | 11-12 | 123 | 124A | 135A | Jamie Hamilton | 12/1 |
| 05 Sep 25+59d | Bangor-on-Dee | Paul Ferguson Jumpers To Follow Handicap Hurdle Settled at the back early - lost touch three out - found a bit of momentum two out - dropped away before the last and beaten into seventh | 7/7 | 3 | 11-10 | 124 | 93B | 121A | James Bowen | 5/2F |
| 08 Jul 25+38d | Uttoxeter | Plink On The Air Rifle Range At Eaton Hall Handicap Hurdle Settled around midfield early - moved smoothly into contention after the last obstacle - stayed on to finish second beaten 3 lengths | 2/8 | 3 | 11-9 | 124 | — | 128A | Henry Brooke | 15/2 |
| 31 May 25+50d | Stratford | Cortaflex For Horses, Dogs & People Handicap Hurdle Held up at the back - clumsy at the 5th and 8th - driven on after 4 out - stayed on steadily - scrappy over the last - finished fourth | 4/6 | nk | 11-5 | 125 | 137A | 123B | Craig Nichol | 6/1 |
| 11 Apr 25+23d | Ayr | Get Home Safe With Thistle Cabs Handicap Hurdle Settled in the pack - urged forward three out and clumsy two out - unable to threaten the front markers late | 7/13 | 1½ | 12-0 | 125 | 115B | 134A | Craig Nichol | 14/1 |
| 19 Mar 25+96d | Haydock | Racing TV Handicap Hurdle Settled just behind the pace - blundered at the 5th - travelling strongly into contention - shared the advantage two out - edged in front approaching the last - driven out under pressure on the run-in - got the verdict in the closing strides | 1/5 | 12-1 | 121 | 75C | 134B | Craig Nichol | 13/2 | |
| 2024 · 5 runs | ||||||||||
| 13 Dec 24+28d | Doncaster | Talasey Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race) Held up early - clipped 5th and hesitant at 9th - urged forward from 13th - lost ground before 4 out - well held at finish | 3/4 | 23 | 11-10 | 123 | 86C | 111C | Craig Nichol | 9/1 |
| 15 Nov 24+118d | Newcastle | Sign Lead Your Horse To Water Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race) Sat close up behind only opponent - blundered 3 out - pressed forward after to close on pace-setter - untidy touchdown 2 out - cleared last well but outpaced up the run-in | 2/2 | 1¾ | 11-5 | 124 | 58C | 125C | Craig Nichol | 11/10 |
| 20 Jul 24+132d | Cartmel | William Hill Cumbria Crystal Cup Handicap Hurdle | 5/12 | 3¼ | 11-10 | 125 | 118B | 130A | Adam Wedge | 22/1 |
| 10 Mar 24+23d | Kelso | Bruce Farms Handicap Hurdle | PU/10 | — | 11-10 | 125 | — | — | Brian Hughes | 8/1 |
| 16 Feb 24+49d | Kelso | Remembering Michael Wares Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race) | F/2 | — | 10-5 | 125 | — | — | Henry Brooke | 5/4 |
| 2023 · 4 runs | ||||||||||
| 29 Dec 23+48d | Kelso | Children's Immunology Trust Supporting CHAS Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race) | 3/5 | 17 | 11-12 | 127 | 101C | 119B | Henry Brooke | 9/2 |
| 11 Nov 23+204d | Aintree | Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) | 5/11 | 7½ | 10-13 | 127 | — | 111A | Henry Brooke | 10/3J |
| 21 Apr 23+58d | Ayr | Largs Ladies LWOB Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) | 1/8 | 11-11 | 121 | 101A | 135A | Henry Brooke | 7/1 | |
| 22 Feb 23+55d | Doncaster | Virgin Bet EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race) | F/4 | — | 11-7 | 123 | — | — | Tom Midgley | 15/8 |
| 2022 · 5 runs | ||||||||||
| 29 Dec 22+21d | Kelso | SPG Fire & Security Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race) | 2/7 | 2¼ | 11-12 | — | — | 127A | Billy Garritty | 2/5F |
| 08 Dec 22+20d | Newcastle | Living North Christmas Fair Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race) | 1/4 | 11-7 | — | 100C | 126C | Billy Garritty | 2/5F | |
| 18 Nov 22+213d | Catterick | Nick Sutton Happy 70th Birthday Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race) | 1/9 | 11-0 | — | 126A | 131A | Billy Garritty | 6/4F | |
| 19 Apr 22+28d | Sedgefield | Free Daily Tips On attheraces.com Open NH Flat Race (GBB Race) | 1/4 | 11-1 | — | 113C | 111B | Brian Hughes | 30/100F | |
| 22 Mar 22 | Wetherby | We're Racing Again On 31st March Open NH Flat Race (GBB Race) | 2/9 | 2 | 11-3 | — | 126A | 125A | Brian Hughes | 8/1 |
Quick answers
- How many races has Imperial Merlin won?
- Imperial Merlin (IRE) won 6 of 25 archived starts between 2022 and 2026, a strike rate of 24%. Placed 9 times in total (36% of starts).
- Who trains Imperial Merlin?
- Imperial Merlin (IRE) is trained by John & Sean Quinn, who saddled the horse on its most recent run on 10 October 2026.
- Who is Imperial Merlin's sire?
- Imperial Merlin (IRE) is by Kalanisi (IRE) out of Silver Charmer (GB), whose sire is Charmer.
- What going does Imperial Merlin prefer?
- Imperial Merlin (IRE) has the best record on good to soft going: 3 wins from 9 starts (33.3%). Only going bands with at least three archived starts are read, so this is a direction rather than a settled preference.
- What is Imperial Merlin's official rating?
- The most recent official rating on record is 122, from the run on 10 October 2026. The highest on record is 127.
- What is Imperial Merlin's sire's record?
- Kalanisi (IRE)'s progeny in our archive have won 10.5% of 6,748 runs since Jan 2008 (648 horses), Flat and jumps together. Strongest on good to firm going: 16.1% from 355.
- Who are Imperial Merlin's siblings?
- Out of Silver Charmer (GB), Imperial Merlin (IRE) has 4 other produce in our archive, 2 of them winners. Most wins: Secret Investor (GB) (13). Highest grade won: Grade 2 (Secret Investor (GB)). The wins came over 2m–3m3½f. As at Nov 2026.