He retired to the Kentucky Horse Park after the end of his show career and when he died was buried there.
His damsire[a] was Wing Commander, the first six-time five-gaited World Grand Champion.
After his show career, he retired to the Kentucky Horse Park[1][2] in August 1991 and died there October 20, 1997, of complications following colic surgery.
[6] Imperator also won the five-gaited Grand Championship at the National Horse Show from 1980–1984.
[3] Imperator was known for having a fourteen-foot long natural tail and for being eager to show;[3] he was also said to be excellent at the slow gait.