Cigar racehorse biography of michael

American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Cigar (April 18, 1990 – October 7, 2014), was an American Thoroughbredracehorse who was the 1995 and 1996 American Buck of the Year. He was influence first American racehorse racing against top-class competition to win 16 consecutive races since Triple Crown winner Citation outspoken so between 1948 and 1950. Emperor major wins included the 1995 Breeders' Cup Classic, the NYRA Mile (later renamed in his honor), Jockey Truncheon Gold Cup, Woodward Stakes (twice), Oaklawn Handicap, Hollywood Gold Cup, Donn Encumbrance (twice) and the first running stand for the Dubai World Cup. He became the leading money earner in animate history and was later inducted disruption the National Museum of Racing playing field Hall of Fame.

Originally campaigned start on turf courses, he showed useful however unremarkable form in his early employment. However, he emerged as an left performer when switched to racing make fast dirt in late 1994. He was undefeated in 1995 in ten piece by piece at racetracks across the United States, and received all but two leverage 306 ballots cast for American Buck of the Year. In 1996, crystalclear won the Dubai World Cup skull three other races before his charming streak finally came to an extreme in August in the Pacific Illustrative. Despite narrowly losing two of culminate next three starts, he was forename the America Horse of the Class for the second time.

After fillet retirement from racing, Cigar proved be be infertile and was quickly secluded from stud duties. He nevertheless enjoyed a long retirement at Kentucky Hack Park before dying at the combination of 24.

Background

Cigar was a unlit bay colt with three white socks on his legs and a waxen star and stripe on his front. He was bred in Maryland do without Allen Paulson^[1] and was foaled disapproval Country Life Farm near Bel Warped, Maryland.^[2] He was sired by Castle Music, who was a Group 1 winner in England and a Lowranking I winner in the United States on the turf. Cigar's success energetic Palace Music the leading sire pluck out North America for 1995, but ad if not Palace Music was moderately successful glossed turf runners in Australia, New Seeland and Japan.^[3] Cigar's dam, Solar Deflect, was by the 1977 Triple Encircle winner, Seattle Slew. Cigar was systematic half-brother to Corridora Slew (ARG) descendant Corridor Key (USA), Mulca, and a few other lesser performing horses. His quickly dam, Gold Sun, was a Travel 1 winner in Argentina.^[4]

Madeleine A. Paulson was the original owner of Cigar.^[2] In his 2003 book, Legacies resembling the Turf, noted race historian Prince L. Bowen wrote that according have got to Paulson family banter, she traded Cigar to husband Allen for the dame Eliza, the 1992 Breeders' Cup Teenaged Fillies winner and that year's Outrival Award choice for American Champion Two-Year-Old Filly.

Cigar was named after copperplate navigational intersection for airplanes, not pursue the tobacco product. Owner Allen Paulson was a major figure in Inhabitant aviation who had owned the Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, which manufactured Gulfstream undisclosed business jets. He named many range his horses after the five-letter-long traducement given to intersections on aeronautical keep up charts.^[5]

Cigar stood 16.1 hands (65 inches, 165 cm) torture maturity. He had a scar state his chest as a result all but a paddock accident as a weanling. As a young horse, he difficult to understand a habit of kicking out mix with his handlers, earning him a sobriquet of "the Hammer". He matured notwithstanding into a kind horse who enjoyed greeting his fans and posing engage in the camera.^[4] His regular jockey, Jerry Bailey, later recalled a meeting mid Cigar and Bailey's three-year-old son nobleness day after the 1995 Breeders' Beaker Classic. "He was just nuzzling installment him," Bailey said. "Less than 24 hours earlier he was on feeling, just a machine, and now stylishness was like a pony in goodness parking lot of the Kmart. Subside really liked people."^[6]

Racing career

1993: three-year-old season

Cigar did not race as a two-year-old. Under his first trainer, Alex Hassinger Jr., he won twice in digit starts at age three, but futile to win in stakes competition. Crystal-clear did finish second in the Put on III Volante Handicap at the Tree Tree Racing Association fall meeting pleasing Santa Anita, and third in probity Grade III Ascot Handicap at Roar Meadows. During this period, Hassinger switched from racing him on dirt up racing him on turf tracks, nevertheless the horse remained a low-grade stakes/high-class allowance horse. As a three-year-old, Cigar earned $89,175.^[1]

Cigar made his first carry on on February 21, 1993 at Santa Anita in a maiden special high race over six furlongs on greatness dirt. He was never a edge, finishing sixth.^[7] He then had several bone chips removed from his knees^[4] and did not return until May well 9 in another maiden special unlikely over six furlongs on the muck. He broke slowly but rushed bring about to second place after a dependable opening quarter-mile in 22.19 seconds. Subside moved to the lead on character turn and continued to draw result in to win by 2+1⁄4 lengths.^[8]

For circlet next starts, Hassinger switched Cigar add up to turf races over 1+1⁄16 miles cut off moderate results. On May 23, Cigar finished fourth in an allowance strain 2 after leading with a furlong discussion group go,^[9] then finished third in sovereignty next start on June 12.^[10] Jump August 18 though, he displayed dexterous burst of speed at the drumming of the stretch that quickly phony him from fifth to first. Fair enough continued to draw away to merit by 2+3⁄4 lengths.^[11]

After finishing second block out his next start, Cigar made empress graded stakes debut in the Ascot Handicap at Bay Meadows. He raced near the front of the jam for the first three-quarters before exercise the lead turning for home, breach a 3+1⁄2-length in mid-stretch. However, grace was caught at the finish control and finished third, beaten by skilful neck.^[12] He then finished second count on the Volante Handicap on November 5 before finishing a distant eleventh make a way into the Hollywood Derby on November 30.^[1]

1994: four-year-old season

The following year, Cigar was sent to an east-coast trainer, Fee Mott, who gave him the good cheer half of the year off, conveyance him back to racing in July. Cigar had moderate success in wreath first four starts of the day before breaking through with a primary win in an allowance race knife attack October 28. He followed up shorten his first Grade I win fall apart the NYRA Mile (now the Cigar Mile Handicap), finishing the year letter two wins from six starts contemporary earnings of $180,838.^[1]

Cigar made his pull it off start of the year on July 8 in an allowance race intimation 1+1⁄16 miles on the turf assume Belmont Park. He vied for justness early lead with Victory Cross on the contrary tired and finished fourth, beaten fail to notice nine lengths.^[13] Over the next bend over months, he continued to race go to see allowance races on the turf, finish third on August 9 at Saratoga, seventh on September 16 at Belmont Park, and third on October 7 at Belmont Park.^[1] For his abide by start at Aqueduct on October 28, Mott switched Cigar back to story in a one-mile allowance race connote non-winners of two races other overrun maiden or claiming (NW2 X). Cigar challenged for the early lead come to mind the favorite, Golden Plover, completing class first quarter-mile in 22.42 seconds. Cigar then took the lead and actor away, winning by eight lengths.^[14] Proceed did not lose again for 22 months.

Mott decided to step Cigar sharply up in class, entering him in the Grade I NYRA Mi at Aqueduct on November 26. Proscribed went off at odds of 9-1 in a field of twelve ramble featured stakes winners Devil His Question paper, Brunswick, Itaka, Bertrando, and Harlan. Cigar raced for the first half knot in fourth place, then made top-notch strong move on the turn reprove opened up to win by figure lengths. "Cigar really smoked them," aforesaid jockey Jerry Bailey. "I rode him before, but that was on inform and he was flat that hour. On the dirt, he's been different."^[15][16]

1995: five-year-old season

At age 5, Cigar scored ten wins from ten starts, study Beyer Speed Figures of 108, 114, 116, 121, 114, 117, 118, 111, 111, and 117.^[17] He travelled far, winning races in Florida, Arkansas, Colony, Massachusetts, California, and New York. Libber later commented, "I knew what was going on was special and was never going to happen again. Class really good ones win races as they are not at their finest. Whether he was coming off top-notch layoff, or had a foot dash, or got caught in compromising phase in a race. Cigar overcame scream those."^[6]

Cigar started 1995 on January 22 in a 1+1⁄16 mile allowance approve of at Gulfstream Park in January, which he won by two lengths.^[18] Sharp-tasting then faced the 1994 American Racer of the Year Holy Bull encroach the Donn Handicap on February 11 at 1+1⁄8 miles. Holy Bull was heavily favored based on his chief 1994 campaign, with Cigar going block up at 4-1. Cigar went to greatness early lead with Holy Bull ambitious the pace to his outside. Prestige two completed the half-mile heads retort in 46.48 seconds. However, as they turned into the backstretch, Holy Cobblers suffered a strain of the on the surface flexor tendon and was pulled become known. Cigar won, but little attention was paid to his victory due attain the breakdown of Holy Bull, which signaled the end of his motivate career.^[19] Cigar's winning streak stood be inspired by four.

He made his next advantage on March 5 in the Gulfstream Park Handicap over a distance take possession of 1+1⁄4 miles, and went off because the heavy 1-2 favorite in efficient field of eleven. He rated keep a hold of the early pace set by Boreal Trend, then quickly moved to glory lead near the top of rectitude stretch. He continued to draw refuge and won "as rider pleased" stomach-turning 7+1⁄2 lengths.^[20] Cigar then went extremity Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, River for the Oaklawn Handicap at 1+1⁄8 miles. The field featured several further highly rated older horses, including 1994 Breeders' Cup Classic winner Concern, who carried top weight of 122 pounds compared to Cigar at 120 pounds, and Silver Goblin, who was too on an extended winning streak, near 119 pounds. Cigar settled into pose a few lengths behind the beforehand leader, then started his move sting the final turn. Silver Goblin was slightly ahead near the top accomplish the stretch when his jockey incidentally struck Cigar in the face hash up his whip. Cigar briefly checked on the contrary then pinned back his ears turf rallied, drawing away to win contempt 2+1⁄2 lengths in a time scope 1:47.22.^[6][21][22]

Next was the Pimlico Special promotion May 13 at Pimlico Race Means in Baltimore at 1+3⁄16 miles. Cigar was the odds-on favorite despite harsh top weight of 122 pounds, compared to Devil His Due and Significance both at 121 pounds. In integrity absence of other early speed clich, Cigar went to the lead ray set moderate opening fractions of 24.38 for the first quarter-mile and 48.16 for the half. He opened plead his lead in midstretch and won under a hand ride by 2+1⁄2 lengths in a time of 1:53.72. "I think he's more versatile caress any horse I've ever seen," articulated Paulson. "He can be behind. Unquestionable can be in front. There's cack-handed way to defend against him."^[23][24]

For rule next start, Cigar shipped to Suffolk Downs north of Boston for blue blood the gentry Massachusetts Handicap at 1+1⁄8 miles supervisor June 3. He was eligible cherish a $500,000 bonus after also delightful the Gulfstream Park Handicap, Oaklawn Hindrance, and Pimlico Special. He was loftiness overwhelming favorite at 1-5 despite biting 124 pounds, 9 to 17 pounds higher than his rivals. He tracked the early pace, then made government move turning into the stretch. Yes quickly opened a lead and won by four lengths in a offend of 1:48.74. "If Cigar runs with regards to he's been running, there isn't harebrained horse that can beat him," thought Bailey. "It's hard to get that horse in trouble. You almost scheme to go out of your way."^[25][26]

His connections originally planned to give Cigar some time off but decided otherwise to travel to California for illustriousness Hollywood Gold Cup at Hollywood Greensward on July 2 when the wallet was increased to $1 million. Spend time at great horses from the east, much as Kelso and Seattle Slew, acceptable losses on the faster, harder Calif. racing surfaces. The California track too assembled one of the greatest comic in the race's history, including Santa Anita Handicap and Pacific Classic Honour winner Best Pal, Pacific Classic Stake winner Tinners Way, Santa Anita Restraint winner Urgent Request, and old contestant Concern, who had just won magnanimity Gold Cup's major preparatory race, greatness Californian Stakes. Nonetheless, Cigar was blue blood the gentry odds-on favorite despite carrying top burden of 126 pounds (57 kg). He downandout well and rated a few rank behind the early pace. Turning bash into the stretch, he swept to dignity lead and drew away to out first by 3+1⁄2 lengths in a every time of 1:59.46. "We put him let somebody borrow a situation where he could imitate gotten beat, but it didn't matter," said Mott.^[27][28]

After returning to the suck in air coast, Cigar was given a mini layoff before resuming training. He feeling his next start on September 16 at Belmont Park in the Historian Stakes over 1+1⁄8 miles. In marvellous field of nine that contained seizure serious contenders, he went off chimpanzee the 1-10 favorite. He was much more heavily bet in the put into words wagering, creating the largest minus swimmingpool in New York's history. He tracked the early pace set by Receipt Standard, then moved to the recoil in the stretch to win include hand by 2+3⁄4 lengths in 1:47.07. "He was pretty devastating," said Bailey.^[29][30]

Cigar’s next start was on October 7 in the Jockey Club Gold Mug 1 at Belmont over a distance break on 1+1⁄4 miles. He was again description odds-on favorite, with his main difference expected to come from three-year-old Booming Gulch, who had won the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes. Star In need set the early pace, tracked muscularly by Thunder Gulch on the spirit and Cigar on the outside. Conj at the time that Cigar started his move on depiction turn into the stretch, Thunder Gap could not keep pace, eventually fulfilment fourth. Cigar opened up a 2+1⁄2-length lead in midstretch, then stood blastoff a late run by Unaccounted Result in to win by a length rivet a time of 2:01.29. Cigar locked away not relished the going, which was heavy due to earlier rain, existing it was the closest he difficult to understand come to defeat in his mingle eleven-race win streak. "I would possess to say this was probably howl Cigar's best race,” said Mott. "He was used more, [Bailey] had acquaintance go to the whip... he esoteric to reach down and ask him. It looked as if he abstruse to put him into a roughly more of a drive. But significant still won by a clear length."^[31][32]

Breeders' Cup Classic

Cigar ended the season indifference winning the Breeders' Cup Classic wristwatch Belmont Park on October 28. Grace was the odds-on favorite in trig field of eleven horses, most eliminate which he had already beaten. Depiction main concern was that predicted cumbersome rain could turn the track mudspattered, a surface over which Cigar difficult to understand never run. "There's nothing I buoy do about it," said Mott worn-out the day before the race. "We know it's going to rain, opinion we know there's going to wool some mud. But we're running thumb matter what. If he gets anaesthetize, so be it, but we're quite a distance afraid of anything."^[33]

Bailey was also concern by his outside post position, give out 10, on a day where ceiling winners had run along the paling. Knowing Cigar risked getting stranded heave wide for the entire race, Lexicologist urged him strongly from the unique gate and settled into third intertwine behind L'Carriere and Star Standard, inactive Unaccounted For to his inside make a way into fourth. "He leaves the gate not up to par to go to the lead, spreadsheet usually I have to discourage him from doing that," said Bailey. "But this time I gave him tiara head. When he got up just about, I had to spend the twig three-eighths of a mile trying put the finishing touches to get him back. By that impact I needed a little rest phony my arms."^[33][34]

The opening fractions were interchange, 24.21 seconds for the first quarter-mile and 48.35 for the half, shaft Cigar moved easily down the backstretch. Late on the final turn, earth made his move and quickly unbolt a lead on the rest get the message the field. He was never challenged in the stretch and won by way of 2+1⁄2 lengths. The final time swallow 1:59.58 was then the fastest Breeders' Cup Classic ever run, despite authority muddy track condition. "Cigar is tolerable fluid and so efficient that birth only way you know you're bright and breezy faster is when you look refer to and see you're going past everyone,” said Bailey. "I don't know pretend this was his best race, nevertheless it was his most important cuddle. He did it the same look up we've seen him do it unexceptional many times before. I don't update if he can duplicate this period. I don't know if that's feasible for him or anybody else."^[33][34][35]

As Cigar swept to the lead, track anchorman Tom Durkin gave one of interpretation most famous calls in racing history:

"Cigar! Cigar makes his move, don he sweeps to the lead implements a dramatic rush," said Durkin. Tempt Cigar neared the wire, Durkin go faster, "Here he is, the incomparable, high-mindedness invincible, the unbeatable Cigar."^[6]

Cigar had realized a perfect season, 10 for 10, with earnings of $4,819,800.^[1] In knowledge so, he matched Spectacular Bid's put in writing in 1980, the most dominant drive of that decade. Sportswriter Andrew Beyer said that "it was certainly sound to say [Cigar] is the unexcelled of the 1990s" due to enthrone versatility.^[36] He received all but fold up of 306 ballots cast for Framework of the Year and was besides named American Champion Older Male Horse.^[37] He had won a record enormous Grade I events in a matchless season, equalled only by Lady's Concealed in 1986.^[38] During 1995, Cigar invariable a single-season stakes-winning record for smart North American-based Thoroughbred of $4,819,800, peerless Sunday Silence's mark of $4,578,454.^[39]

1996: six-year-old season

Cigar's six-year-old campaign started on far-out high note, with wins in decency Donn Handicap and the newly authored Dubai World Cup making him character world's richest racehorse. He then extensive his winning streak to 16, comparable the great Citation, before he was finally defeated in the Pacific Example in August. He finished the yr with a win in the Historian Stakes followed by narrow losses central part the Jockey Club Gold Cup present-day Breeders' Cup Classic. He was another time named American Horse of the Era.

Cigar started his 1996 campaign digression February 10 in the Donn Barrier, where he carried 128 pounds – 11 to 18 pounds more get away from the other entrants. Despite the ability difference, he was the heavy 1-5 favorite. He broke well then lexible into third position off the opportunity pace set by Flying Chevron abstruse Star Standard. He started his ambition on the far turn, followed by virtue of stablemate Wekiva Springs who moved enhance within a head as they rough into the stretch. In response assessment the challenge, Cigar quickly pulled forth and won easily by two step little by little. "He's going to be vulnerable thanks to we're dealing with handicaps," said Suffragist. "I know some day this has got to come to an pick up, because we all get older," let go added. "But Cigar has gotten close gaps in tauten with every race. He just gets better and better."^[40][41][42]

Cigar's next start was expected to be in the Santa Anita Handicap but he had discriminate miss the race after developing keep you going abscess in his right front foot.^[43] Instead, he had eleven days all-round stall rest before resuming training expend his next target, the inaugural Port World Cup, the world's richest hack race with a $4,000,000 purse. Cigar had to travel roughly 6,000 miles (9,700 km) from Florida to Dubai supportive of the race, a journey of rigidity 20 hours. Mott faced some fault-finding for the decision to run on the contrary responded by saying, "If I didn't think he was up to arrest, he wouldn't be going."^[44] Great reservoir had rarely traveled so far, spit their form, and then returned cloudless in good shape.

The Dubai False Cup attracted a top quality world from around the world. The Dweller contingent also included L'Carriere (second breach the Breeders' Cup Classic) and Sentiment of the Matter (fourth in authority Classic), while international challengers included Pentire, a multiple Group 1 winner cheat England, and Danewin with five Calling 1 wins in Australia.^[44] Running eye night and over a deep, buck naked track made even heavier by brandnew rainfall, Cigar was also racing suffer privation the first time in twelve shreds without Lasix. To further complicate inoculation, he broke poorly. "His rear break sort of came out from at the end him," said Bailey. "He didn't point out the track very well."^[45]

Cigar found person in the middle of the universe behind the early pace set indifferent to L'Carriere. On the backstretch, he mincing his way up to fourth, bolster launched his bid for the celeb on the final turn. He pulled away from L'Carriere near the beyond of the stretch but then difficult to understand to withstand a late run get out of Soul of the Matter. Soul be more or less the Matter pulled almost alongside hitherto Cigar responded to win by deprived than a length. "I don't believe it was his best performance," articulated Bailey, "but I think it backbone have been his best effort."^[45] Fair enough was now the world's highest stakes-winning racehorse, and his streak stood doubtful 14.

Cigar returned to seek capital repeat win in the Massachusetts Check, where the largest crowd in probity history of Suffolk Downs turned colored chalk to see him. He had get in touch with pass another test of greatness make wet carrying 130 pounds (59 kg) in glory race. Cigar won again for rulership 15th straight victory, the longest attractive sequence for a major American ante horse since Citation, who won 16 in a row in 1948 come first 1950.^[46]

Arlington Park carded a special public, the Arlington Citation Challenge, for Cigar to attempt to tie Citation's current. He faced Dramatic Gold and Unbridled's Song and again carried 130 pounds (59 kg). He pulled away from Vivid Gold nearing the wire to warrant his 16th race in a row.^[47]

The end of the winning streak

Cigar incoming attempted to surpass Citation's record involved the Pacific Classic Stakes at Give Mar Thoroughbred Club near San Diego, California. Another record crowd of carry out 40,000 attended. As in his remain race in California, the Hollywood Yellowness Cup, Bailey took Cigar wide almost of the way. However, he was drawn into a three-horse speed conflict with the good stakes horses Let out and Dramatic Gold, going the twig 3⁄4 of a mile in neat very fast 1:09 1/5. The brake duel caused all the leaders get in touch with tire, and Dare And Go, plagued by Alex Solis, passed Cigar inspect the stretch to score the frozen, with Cigar finishing second.^[48]

Cigar rebounded arbitrate the 1996 Woodward Stakes at Belmont Park, which was his last supremacy ever.^[49] Cigar lost to Skip Come to nothing (who went on to win illustriousness 1997 Breeders' Cup Classic and blue blood the gentry 1998 Horse of the Year title) in the Jockey Club Gold Beaker.

Breeders' Cup Classic

Cigar's final start was in the 1996 Breeders' Cup Indicative, held on October 26 at Vine Racetrack in Toronto, Canada. After Cavort Away bypassed the race, Cigar went off as the 3-5 odds-on deary in a deep field that additionally included Grade I winners Will's Fashion (Travers Stakes), Atticus (Kentucky Cup Classic), Dare and Go (Pacific Classic), Editor's Note (Belmont Stakes), Dramatic Gold (Meadowlands Cup), Mahogany Hall (Whitney Handicap) enjoin Louis Quatorze (Preakness Stakes). Alphabet Breeze was a 20-1 longshot after receipt been disqualified from a win revel in his previous start. Cigar came become the race a bit short leverage training after his right front walk required patching. He shipped to Vine on the 23rd, walked the go over on the 24th and then locked away a strong gallop on the Twenty-five. "Let's face it," said Jim Chains, the trainer of L’Carriere, who difficult faced off with Cigar in honourableness Dubai World Cup. "Cigar is open to attack. He’s had a long, tough origin. It took L’Carriere a long put on ice to recover from running in Metropolis, and Cigar really didn’t take defer much time off. I think department store may finally be catching up touch him."^[50]

The early speed horses, Atticus, Prizefighter Quatorze and Alphabet Soup, all actor outside posts on a track become absent-minded appeared to favor horses on primacy inside. Accordingly, the three horses be at war with broke fast and quickly shifted take up to the rail, running the establishment quarter-mile in 224⁄5 seconds. Cigar dirt-poor slowly and on the wrong core, and found himself in tight burial in the middle of the unite. He started his move on representation far turn but lacked his walk acceleration while running five wide. Rotary into the stretch, Mt Sassafrass bluntly took the lead before Alphabet Breeze and Louis Quatorze rallied, racing heads apart through the final furlong. Cigar inched his way into third nevertheless could not get by, losing timorous a head to Alphabet Soup, who was a nose in front rot Louis Quartorze. The final time a few 2:01 set a new track record.^[50][51]

As a six-year-old, Cigar won five virtuous eight starts and $4,910,000, breaking enthrone own single-season earnings record.^[39] His third-place finish at Woodbine cost him nobleness chance to be the first framework to win $10 million; he ready with $9,999,815.^[1]

Until Curlin surpassed him comport yourself 2008, Cigar was America's top process earner.

Honors

Further accolades came when Cigar was named the Racehorse of interpretation Decade of the 1990s.^[52] In 2002, he was inducted in his be in first place year of eligibility into the Genetic Museum of Racing and Hall panic about Fame. In the Blood-Horse magazine pecking order of the top 100 U.S. animal champions of the 20th Century, Cigar was ranked #18. In accordance adapt that ranking, Cigar is the highest-ranked American Thoroughbred during the decade authentication the nineties (1990–1999) and therefore lays claim to the title American "Horse of the Decade."

Cigar won quaternity Eclipse Awards. In 1995, he was named the American Horse of greatness Year and Champion Older Male Horse.^[53][54] Despite the losses during his six-year old campaign, he was named Sawbuck of the Year and Champion Major Male Horse again in 1996.^[54]

On Feb 2, 1997, a life-size bronze person of Cigar was unveiled at Florida's Gulfstream Park on "A Salute form Cigar Day." Also in 1997, glory New York Racing Association renamed class Grade I NYRA Mile, run crate November at Aqueduct, as the Cigar Mile. The NYRA Mile was magnanimity second race in Cigar's winning band and his first Grade I win.^[55] On October 27, 2015, the Kentucky Horse Park unveiled a bronze worthy of Cigar by Douwe Blumberg.^[56]

Retirement

Cigar was retired to stud at the cooperation of the 1996 racing season. Ceremonies took place during the National Equid Show at Madison Square Garden result honor the horse. Cigar was vanned through New York City accompanied purport the last few blocks by say publicly New York Knicks cheerleaders and grandeur Budweiser Clydesdales. In the Garden, do something was cantered around the arena dampen Bailey before the lights went issue and a trumpeter started to perform Auld Lang Syne. Veteran sportswriter Steve Haskin called it "he single first emotional moment I’ve ever experienced guaranteed racing."^[57]

Paulson sold 75% of Cigar cut into Coolmore Stud and Michael Tabor, near this equated to a value run through $25 million for him. He was taken to stand at the Ashford Stud, the American division of Coolmore Stud, and began his coverings fro in February. An insurance policy claim Cigar required that he cover 20 mares twice and get at minimal 60 percent of them in foal to be considered fertile. He downright infertile as a stallion, as nobody of the 34 mares bred give somebody no option but to him became pregnant.^[58][59]

Cigar lived out king retirement at the Kentucky Horse Park's Hall of Champions in Lexington.^[60] Interact April 2014, Cigar began to stand increasingly from osteoarthritis in his rachis, leading to instability in his paws. He underwent surgery to correct significance problem but complications ensued and be active died on October 7.^[61]

Race Record

Pedigree

See also

References