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  #1  
Old 02-14-2011, 05:56 PM
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Originally Posted by smuthg View Post
With pitchers and catchers reporting, it got me thinking about how Joe Dimaggio required he be introduced as "The Greatest Living Ballplayer" and of course my mind wondered to who is the "Greatest Living Racehorse"? It always seemed to me that the title of the "The Greatest Living Ballplayer" was more out of respect for the old guy who was still upright, and not a title was representative of the truly "best" living player. Using that as a basis (and the fact the HRTV documentary about him was on last night, which got me thinking even more about this question) is it safe to say that Cigar is the "Greatest Living Racehorse"?
First one to come to my mind...

Of course the "you-know-who" will arriving shortly to disagree
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  #2  
Old 02-14-2011, 06:19 PM
PatCummings PatCummings is offline
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Hate to be specific, but might benefit you to declare the greatest living AMERICAN horse.
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  #3  
Old 02-14-2011, 09:23 PM
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Hate to be specific, but might benefit you to declare the greatest living AMERICAN horse.
Who is "greater" out there?
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  #4  
Old 02-14-2011, 09:39 PM
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I think Sadlers Wells is still alive, at the ripe old age of 30.

AP Indy is still kicking.

I can think of many horses that were better than Cigar, though obviously less accomplished.
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  #5  
Old 02-14-2011, 10:23 PM
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I think Sadlers Wells is still alive, at the ripe old age of 30.
Sadler's Wells, while pretty good, didn't really light the world on fire as a racehorse.
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  #6  
Old 02-14-2011, 10:28 PM
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Sea The Stars
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  #7  
Old 02-14-2011, 10:40 PM
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GZ is the best still around in my opinion.

The conversation would get interesting if you looked at sprinters. Who is the best living sprinter?
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Old 02-14-2011, 11:33 PM
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Sadler's Wells, while pretty good, didn't really light the world on fire as a racehorse.
I suppose not, but expectations for him were tremendous and he was one of the most highly anticipated new stallions I ever remember going to stud.

I don't remember all the details from 26 years ago, but he was regarded to be quite exceptional.

I can think of better though.
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  #9  
Old 02-15-2011, 05:53 AM
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Originally Posted by Indian Charlie View Post
AP Indy is still kicking.

I can think of many horses that were better than Cigar, though obviously less accomplished.
So are you saying you think AP Indy was better than Cigar? I can see trying to find a better horse than Cigar, but AP Indy would be quite a reach IMO.
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  #10  
Old 02-15-2011, 07:56 AM
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So are you saying you think AP Indy was better than Cigar? I can see trying to find a better horse than Cigar, but AP Indy would be quite a reach IMO.
Yes.

Keep in mind AP only raced until the end of his 3yo season.

Certainly you'd agree Indy was tons better as a 3yo than Cigar.
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Old 02-15-2011, 08:00 AM
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I'd also put Skip Away and Gentlemen (on the days he showed up) on the list of horses that would have beat Cigar.

Candy Ride would have pummeled Cigar.
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  #12  
Old 02-15-2011, 08:19 AM
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Yes.

Keep in mind AP only raced until the end of his 3yo season.

Certainly you'd agree Indy was tons better as a 3yo than Cigar.
Yes, but wouldn't you agree that Holy Bull's 3yo season was better than AP Indy's?
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  #13  
Old 02-14-2011, 06:20 PM
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Absolutely, positively, no question - the unconquerable, invincible, unbeatable CIGAR
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  #14  
Old 02-14-2011, 06:52 PM
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Cigar was a great ambassador for racing. He raced all over the US and won the inaugural Dubai World Cup.
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  #15  
Old 02-14-2011, 07:03 PM
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It all depends on how you define greatest. Do you just look at a horse's record, such as how many Grade 1 races they won in a row? Do you extend the examination to include how many new fans are created by a particular horse?
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  #16  
Old 02-14-2011, 07:11 PM
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I think they should go by how many friends they have on Facebook
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  #17  
Old 02-14-2011, 07:40 PM
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Ghostzapper
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  #18  
Old 02-14-2011, 07:53 PM
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zenyatta duh...
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  #19  
Old 02-14-2011, 09:22 PM
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But, I think it all comes back to the 2nd part of the equation... The "respect" factor. Back to Joe D, Willie Mays was better, but didn't get the "tag". Holy Bull is a good call, but that is the Ted Williams argument... Didn't win the big one...16 straight wins, the Breeders' Cup at Belmont, the performance in Dubai... It has got to be Cigar!
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  #20  
Old 02-15-2011, 07:25 AM
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It all depends on how you define greatest. Do you just look at a horse's record, such as how many Grade 1 races they won in a row? Do you extend the examination to include how many new fans are created by a particular horse?
are you trying to suggest that Smarty Jones and / or Funny Cide are the best living race horses?
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Can I start just making stuff up out of thin air, too?
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