Overview

Cigar (foaled April 18, 1990 – died October 7, 2014) was an American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse best known for a remarkable run of success in the mid-1990s. He captured public attention with a long sequence of top-level victories and, at the time of his retirement, had earned more prize money than any American Thoroughbred to that point. Cigar is remembered as one of the most accomplished North American racehorses of his era and was later enshrined in the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.

Background and connections

Cigar raced in the colors of a prominent ownership operation and was trained by William "Bill" Mott. Much of his success was achieved under Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey, who rode him in many of his most important victories. These connections managed his progression from a promising younger horse into a dominant older performer campaigning in open company at the highest level.

Racing career and achievements

Between 1995 and 1996 Cigar won sixteen consecutive races, a streak that drew widespread attention because it matched a feat not seen at the same level among American-based horses since Citation in the mid-20th century. During that span he collected numerous Grade I victories and scored a signature triumph in the 1995 Breeders' Cup Classic, a race that helped to cement his reputation as the leading older horse in the United States. He defeated many of the top runners of his generation while campaigning primarily over middle distances against the best competition available.

Honors and legacy

Cigar received year-end championship recognition and was voted Horse of the Year honors in consecutive seasons, reflecting his sustained excellence. His induction into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame acknowledges both the length of his winning run and the quality of opponents he beat. Beyond statistics, Cigar became a household name for racing fans, often cited in discussions about the greatest North American racehorses of the modern era. For general context about racehorse types and racing terms, see the broader racehorse resources linked in many reference works.

Retirement, later life and death

After retirement from racing Cigar spent his later years at respected equine facilities where he received long-term care. He lived into his mid-twenties and was a frequent subject of retrospectives and commemorations within the sport. Cigar died in Lexington, Kentucky after complications from spinal surgery, a loss widely reported within the racing community and noted by many who followed his career. Information about the region where he spent his final years can be found through resources on Lexington, Kentucky.

Notable facts

  • Won 16 consecutive races during 1995–1996, a modern-era benchmark matched previously only by Citation among U.S.-based horses.
  • Victorious in numerous Grade I events, including the Breeders' Cup Classic.
  • Retired as the leading money-earner among American Thoroughbreds at the time of his retirement.
  • Inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and remembered as a defining horse of the 1990s.