Breeders' Cup Memories: Cigar

The great Cigar in action

The great Cigar, and his lengthy reign over US racing, boasts a career which ought not to be forgotten...

The outstanding Cigar landed the Breeders' Cup Classic at Belmont Park in 1995 on what was, remarkably, his 25th appearance on a racecourse. It took a little while for the great US horse to establish himself but, once he hit his straps towards the end of 1994, there was no looking back.

Cigar would win 16 races in a row from October '94 through to August '96, with his victories including 10 at the highest level. His 1995 Classic triumph was not his best performance, that right is reserved for his wins in the Donn Handicap and the Arlington Citational Challenge, when he recorded a Timeform performance rating of 136 on each occasion, but it was the manner of success that lives long in the memory.

Travelling with typical power and style under Jerry Bailey, it was clear for all to see that Cigar wanted to get to the lead as soon as possible and demolish his rivals. To his rider's credit, and that of the horse, he was restrained until the home turn where his mighty stride and strength came into play and he accelerated into the lead. Bailey needed to keep him up to his work in the straight but Cigar steadily drew away from the field to win by an easy two and a half lengths.

Cigar's career is not only categorised by this success but also by his great weight-giving performances, like when he conceded 16 lb and more in a valuable race at Suffolk Downs but still triumphed with consummate ease. Cigar was the all-American hero, very rarely disappointing his fans, and whilst his powers were on the wane towards the end of his career, what must not be forgotten is that he was at the top for a year and three quarters, a truly remarkable spell of domination for any racehorse.