Thanks for the Memories

by Alan Carasso

In spite of a game-time temperature of 31 degrees, approximately 200 fans from as nearby as Georgetown and from as far as, well, New Jersey, descended on the Hall of Champions at the Kentucky Horse Park to honor the late Cigar, who passed away from complications from neck surgery during the evening hours of Oct. 7. 

While there has been no shortage of public comment on the passing of the Hall of Famer across social media and via other outlets, Friday’s ceremony gave those who worked closest with Cigar during his 15 years in residence at the Horse Park an opportunity to express their emotions. 

Said one of his handlers, Robin Bush, “He was an astonishingly gorgeous horse and he seemed entirely aware of that fact. Anyone who spotted him frolicking in his paddock or reaching to the heavens in a breathtaking rear or fixing that white-rimmed eye on something in the distance could believe, if only for that moment, that he was the most magnificent of all of God’s creations. 

“He truly had everything,” she continued. “He was the definition of magnetic, he was the definition of perfection. We loved him for who he was. His personality was gigantic. He challenged his handlers almost constantly, but he was always playing, never mean. He could be remarkably gentle around children and a more tender side. Cigar love being around people, especially people who adored him.” 

“When I rode Cigar the second time, he finished second. I like to tell people that when I had the mount, he was more like a ‘Cigarette.’” –Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron 

Wes Lanter has seen his fair share of talented horseflesh over the years. Over the course of three decades, Lanter had contact with the likes of Seattle Slew and Affirmed, Rahy, Dynaformer and Storm Cat in various roles with Spendthrift Farm, Three Chimneys and Overbrook Farm. During a second tour of duty with the Horse Park that began back in 2009, Lanter has managed the Hall of Champions and its residents, including John Henry and Forego, but from his comments made to those assembled Friday afternoon, it’s clear Cigar held a special place for him. 

“In horse racing, we’re always looking for the next great thing. Sometimes we tend to put that label on horses that haven’t earned it,” he told the crowd, adding unequivocally, “Cigar earned it and he proved it every time a bridle was put on him.” 

He continued, “Cigar defined greatness for a generation. He was and will always be ‘America’s Horse’ and how appropriate that he would be guided by a pilot in red, white and blue. His second [failed stallion] career was over almost before it even started, but that disappointment was somewhat tempered over time by what became his new calling–as an ambassador to the fans of racing and a beacon to those who hadn’t yet discovered the pageantry and drama a good day at the races can present. So many times, my colleagues and I heard a whisper–‘Look, over there, that’s Cigar. I saw him at Belmont once.’ He had that presence and power. So that second incarnation became a third. The ambassador patiently waiting for a shutter to click, regal and handsome and keenly aware of who he was. Running down to his corner, to rear up to almost vertical and maybe have a roll right there, next to where he rests right now. Every great horse I’ve ever known has been aware of who they are. That presence, that knowledge of self, led him to be great. He had it. He was gentle with kids, he was just a real presence and you knew you were in the presence of greatness when you were with him. It is our honor and privilege to have walked in your light. Mostly though, we thank Cigar…for showing us class and greatness embodied in a magnificent Thoroughbred,” he concluded before cuing up a video tribute to Cigar featuring each of the stretch runs of his 16 consecutive victories. 

Lori Grass made the trip down to Lexington from Milwaukee to pay tribute to Cigar. 

“He led me back to racing,” she explained. “I had grown up as a kid at Arlington Park and during his stretch, he renewed my interest in racing. I got to see him at Arlington when he won his 16th in a row. I can’t believe the people he drew in there that day–never to be forgotten. He’s always had a special place in my heart and I’ll never forget him.” 

“He was just such an outstanding animal,” stated Elaine Duett of Lexington. “They all have something and he just had so much presence, even here when you saw him just running around his paddock. They attach greatness to horses, even when they’re not. He was great and he knew he was great. He was America’s Horse.” 

Added Ellen Zehnder of Georgetown, “He knew who he was. He knew what he had accomplished. ‘I’m Cigar and I know who I am.’ He always had that presence. I thought he’d live forever. I used to love to come and see him, just to watch him. And when he died, I was like, ‘wow.’ He really wasn’t immortal.” 

If you’ll all indulge me for a minute, my trip down to Lexington was as much to say thank you to Cigar as much as it was to say goodbye. Without Cigar, I would not be where I am today, and that’s really no exaggeration. He made me the fan of the sport that I am, he was my first true, albeit somewhat belated, equine hero at the age of 28. The second Saturday of July, 1996–the day of the Citation Challenge–was an experience unlike any other I’m likely to live through again. The atmosphere was electric and Cigar didn’t disappoint under far-from-ideal circumstances. I was forced to miss the Pacific Classic (good thing), but that did little to dampen my enthusiasm. I’m happy to say I saw in person his last career victory in the 1996 Woodward and his gut-wrenching third in that year’s Classic at Woodbine. On his way to Ashford that November, he was given a sendoff at Churchill and I made the drive down from suburban Chicago on a day as cold or colder than it was yesterday in Lexington. Somewhere in my personal archives, I have a 3×5 photo snapped on a Disc camera of Cigar hamming it up, just taking it all in while in the paddock, with an enormously proud Bill Mott on the shank. I need to try to find that.

That was an amazing day. 

That was an amazing career. 

And, by all accounts, what an amazing life. 

Standing over his grave yesterday at the Horse Park, it really is hard to believe he’s gone. But thanks, Cigar, for all the memories.