In the second Breeders' Cup a colt by the name of Palace Music finished second in the Mile to Last Tycoon. While he would have success as a sire in Australia siring several millionaires, it would be a Maryland bred who would be his proud and joy. Out of the Seattle Slew mare Solar Slew, Cigar became one of the greatest Breeders' Cup Champions of all time.
Although his career didn't start out like he was destined to be a champion. He broke his maiden in his second start, but had yet to win a stakes race by the time he was entered the NYRA Mile in 1994. Heck he was coming off a third place finish in an Allowance. However he was able to upset the field which included Devil His Due, Bertrando and Harlen. That started a winning streak that launched him into the stradosphere of all time greats. In the Breeders' Cup at Belmont that year he faced the likes of Concern (who had won the Classic the year before), Unaccounted For (who had defeated him in the Allowance before his NYRA Mile win, and who had since won the Whitney) and L' Carriere winner of the Saratoga Cup.
However, none of them could keep up with in the words of Tom Durkin "The Uncompertble, Invinceable, Unbeatable Cigar!". Here is his win:
It would earn Cigar Horse of the Year honors. The next year he would tie Citation for most consecutive wins in row with 16. While he could only manage third in his defence of the Classic in 1996 he was again honored as Horse of the Year. Cigar lives at the Hall of Champions at Kentucky Horse Park in Kentucky.
So that's it for this year's vault, tomorrow and Saturday will be preview of the races.
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