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| THE OTHER CIGAR |
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1. The Other Cigar
by Jennifer Jordan
The word "Cigar" can mean many different things to many different people. For some of us, a cigar might evoke that calm and satisfying sensation of smoking a stogie, for others, a cigar might remind us that we are strictly anti-tobacco. And still, for some, the word cigar might make us think of a horse. Yes, a horse. Of course, this type of cigar may not be as nice to smoke as others but it sure was much more fun to watch.
Born on April 18, 1990, Cigar entered the world near Bel Air, Maryland, a location that perhaps foreshadowed the riches and luxury he would eventually meet. A horse with high expectations, Cigar was genetically blessed. He was the grandson of The Minstrel and a great-grandson of the Northern Dancer, both exceptional race horses of their time. He was also the grandson (on his mother's side) of Seattle Slew, the 1977 Triple Crown winner. Genetically, he was geared to be something special.
But, under owner Allen E. Paulson, Cigar did not make an exceptional debut in 1993. Starting on a dirt track and performing poorly, Cigar was switched to grass where he proved equally average. After being sent to a new trainer, and given some time off, Cigar returned to the dirt track to look for redemption. To put it mildly, he found it.
The following year was, in terms of racing, the year of Cigar. He won all the big races he entered and took first in the Breeder's Cup Classic. After setting records, Cigar was given the Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year. The next season, it was more of the same.
In 1996, Cigar traveled overseas to claim victory at the Dubai World Cup. He also won sixteen races in a row, matching the record set by Citation, a record that had stood untouched for nearly five decades and probably will remain for five more.
Like so many great athletes, Cigar's prime was cut short. The 1996 Woodward Stakes proved to be his final victory. He closed out the year winning both the Champion Older Male and Horse of the Year awards before he hung up his racing hoofs.
When he retired at the conclusion of the 1996 season, Cigar was the richest racehorse in history. He had earned just under ten million dollars, a bit more than the average horse accrues. He was named the Racehorse of the Decade for the 1990's and was inducted to the National Museum of Racing and the Racing Hall of Fame.
Cigar was also ranked number eighteen on the list of The Top 100 US Thoroughbred Champions in the 20th Century. However, he is arguably better known than even those ranked higher.
Famous, rich, and quite good looking, Cigar undoubtedly had other horses throwing themselves his way. Unfortunately, he was infertile as a sire and his legacy ended with him. He now lives a quiet life in Lexington at the Kentucky Horse Park's Hall of Champions.
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