In the last beta some people were playing as imperials (those who preordered Imperial edition digitally I heard).

Anyone know what the racial traits are?

That's not true. I have the Digital Imperial Edition bought direct from Bethesda and whilst I had access to the Imperial horse, the Imperial race itself was still greyed out and unavailable to play. Everyone else in the same situation as me reported the same findings.

Looks like I was fed lies then.

They had the horse though. (yes the white one)