Cigar, 1990-2014
 

Waking up to Internet rumours that Cigar has passed. Anyone hear anything from an official source? :(

Damn it! I hope not... I LOVE Cigar! He was my ultimate favorite horse. I see a couple people mentioning it as well so it looks like the official word will come soon :(

Nothing "official", but it's all over the net so I guess it's true. RIP pretty boy :(

David Grening ‏@DRFGrening · 2m2 minutes ago
Bill Mott via text confirmed that Cigar has died. Sad. Tremendous horse.

Thanks for the memories big fella, Rest in Peace.

one of my all time favorites. Sad.


http://www.paulickreport.com/news/bl...ar-dead-at-24/

:(

"I came to love horses when I got on Cigar. He was the most genuine, charismatic horse I think I've ever been on in my life." - Jerry Bailey

Cigar: A true american racehorse

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygB0iZQJIvo

Great race horse and connections, traveled the country, did not duck competition. legendary horse.

Saw him race in person several times, at GP and two BCs, as well as that Pacific Classic. Met him close up at KHP as well. A true champion.

One of my all time favorites, saw his Hollywood Gold Cup and Pacific Classic, a real star personality, even have a painting and his Breyer. I'm really bummed about this :(

didn't realize he was 24...time flies.

He was the best and made me a fan for life:)
RIP

What a horse! One of few greats that I actually got to "meet," thanks to KHP. RIP big boy.

Cigar
 

RIP big guy. So glad I got to meet and pet him last fall at the KHP. A true champion.:{>:

Haskin's piece on Cigar's Madison Square Garden farewell is a treat to read:

http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/horse...r-stories.aspx

I can't help but feel as if I'm in an alternate dimension today. I can't help but believe that Cigar was larger than life, that he wasn't supposed to leave us.

He was everything to me in 1995, when I was 14/15 years old. 1994 was a gut-wrenching year for me. But then along came this impossibly handsome bay horse with white markings and one eye ringed in white. His name was Cigar and he swept me off my feet--here was my salvation!

I had loved horse racing before Cigar but he was the first living legend, the first in-the-flesh champion that captured my heart.

As he passed the day fierce storms ripped through Kentucky and a blood moon lunar eclipse hung in the night sky, Cigar demonstrated that he had drama and style to the end. Run free, big guy--thanks for the memories.

A piece form HRTV

http://www.hrtv.com/videos/cigar-1990---2014/

Great article as usual from Steve Haskin.

http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/horse...-to-cigar.aspx

Cigar
 

Does anyone have a link to video of Cigar's retirement ceremony at Madison Square Garden?

One of my most memorable in-person races. The Citation Challenge. Can't believe the full field and the sires that came out of it.

Thanks for the Memories RIP!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOe08kQN8rE

Haven't been able to find anything on YouTube, but at the 15:00 mark here on HRTV's Inside Information "Cigar" you will see some coverage.

Rest In Peace Champ......wish I could have met you, rest now....

Thanks, TouchOfGrey . . I knew I'd seen it somewhere, and couldn't find it. Your link did the job . . and it's moving to say the least!

I remember that day and how he had a police escort through New York city.. Helicopters flying overhead.. It sure was moving to see how much he was loved by so many. What a truly great horse he was and will be forever remembered as an all time great.

That HRTV page also has a great 7 minutes with Jerry Bailey. He starts off all, "Oh, yeah, it's kinda sad, but he was old" but within three minutes he's in tears. He tells some great anecdotes about him.

Years ago I toured the Breyer model horse factory (when they were still made in NJ) and the day I toured they were doing Cigars. It was neat to be surrounded by dozens and dozens of little plastic replicas of him. It's a nice mold.

:)
http://www.hrtv.com/videos/jerry-bai...eoCategoryId=0

:tro:

His moves around the far turn were thrilling!

Sorry to hear of his passing......

ATR today..

Jerry Bailey (Hour 1: 9:15-9:45); Team Paulson vet Dr. Steve Allday & Cigar's 3yo trainer Alex Hassinger (10:40-11:00)

http://www.thoroughbredracingradione...y=08&Itemid=35

masscap
 

When he came to Suffolk and won the Masscap back to back.....we felt very privileged. No one was disappointed. It was so cool to be in the paddock right next to him. And he looked the part. Seeing greatness at it's prime is always special. Cigar.

"And here he is: The unconquerable, invincible, unbeatable Cigar!"

Mr. Durkin said it all..............RIP

An article from journalist Amanda Duckworth who worked with him at The Hall of Champions.


"Cigar loved food. I mean, he loved it. He would prance like a king when it was feed time. He got three scoops of sweet feed in his blue bucket. The blue was to match one of the colors in his racing silks. Carrying that bucket to his feed trough was like telling a kid he was going to get to meet Santa. Every single day."

http://espn.go.com/horse-racing/stor...est-easy-cigar

Barbara Livingston tribute at DRF:

The unconquerable, invincible, unbeatable CIGAR

From Joe T

(get out the tissue)

http://www.danonymousracing.com/love...joe-tartaglia/

Lifetime PP's


https://www1.drf.com/hcponline/samples/269.pdf

One of my all-time faves.

In Cigar's last 15 races, at 10 different racetracks, every Beyer was 111 or more. Cigar always showed up.

--Dunbar

thanks Rob.....

The Kentucky Horse Park Foundation has established a Cigar Memorial Fund, more details below:

The Kentucky Horse Park Foundation joins equestrian enthusiasts from around the world in mourning the loss of beloved racehorse Cigar. This great champion’s legacy and impact are truly immeasurable, and the Hall of Champions here at the Kentucky Horse Park will never be the same. The Kentucky Horse Park Foundation has established a Cigar Memorial Fund and is honored to accept memorial gifts in Cigar’s name. Proceeds from the Cigar Memorial Fund will be used towards a statue and landscaping surrounding Cigar’s grave. Any funding that remains will be directed towards the care of the Kentucky Horse Park’s resident horses. The Kentucky Horse Park Foundation is privileged to play a role in memorializing this great horse. We hope you will consider supporting our efforts to celebrate the life of our beloved Cigar. Gifts to the Cigar Memorial Fund may be sent to Kentucky Horse Park Foundation, 4089 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511. Donors may also make a gift by visiting www.khpfoundation.org or calling 859-255-5727.

https://www.facebook.com/kyhorsepark

His past performances have been posted all over the net. Incredible horse.

He was a legend who came along in the early days of Beyer Speed Figure handicapping.

It is noteworthy that even though he did lose 3 out of his last 4 races, that his speed figures were still very much on par with his many successes.

Rest in peace - condolences to his connections.

That was really moving. Thanks for sharing it.