THE FITTING END TO A HISTORIC CAREER

Like predecessors Secretariat, Seattle Slew, and Alydar before him, the horse-racing (and sports) world have begun to simultaneously heap praise and mourn the loss of the great Cigar. Following his third-place finish in the Oct. 26th Breeder's Cup at Woodbine, owners Allen and Madeleine Paulson made the difficult decision to end one of the greatest racing careers in recent racing memory. "The horse is talking to us," Madeleine said following the Breeder's Cup. "He's saying, 'Please take me home, I want to go to stud.' And that's what he's going to do - go and make babies." Cigar's accomplishments will forever link him with the greatest thoroughbreds of all-time.
Consider:

* An American record-tying 16-race winning streak

* Winner of 19 of 33 career races, including 17 of 20 since switching to dirt tracks two years ago

* 1995 Horse of the Year following an undefeated, 10-0 racing term

* Favorite for 1996 Horse of the Year

* Victories in the 1995 $3 million Breeder's Cup and the 1996 $4 million Dubai World Cup

* Career earnings $185 short of $10 million

Fittingly, Cigar has now begun to reap the benefits that a retiring champion deserves. Luminaries such as Bill Cosby, track announcer Dave Johnson, jockey Jerry Bailey, trainer Bill Mott, and, of course, the Paulsons watched in admiration as the great, now-retired champion was introduced as the guest of honor at the November 2nd National Horse Show in Madison Square Garden. After receiving a New York police escort from Belmont Park to Madison Square Garden, Cigar made one last trip around a dirt oval in his goodbye to racing fans. As expected, dry eyes were few and far between. Gifts bestowed upon the retired champion included two small wagons filled with apples and a solid gold horseshoe from the Budweiser Clydesdales. Another retirement party was scheduled for November 12th at Churchill Downs. Following that celebration, the 6-year-old star will begin a new and lucrative career, standing stud in Kentucky.

In an era when the negatives of the sports world get more publicity than anything else, Cigar was able to grab the collective attention of an entire legion of fans and produce thrilling race after thrilling race. Remembered as the great champion he was, Cigar never failed to excite and inspire. In retirement, his legacy will live on. Madeleine Paulson may have said it best in describing Cigar's accomplishments and pending retirement, "Cigar loved the attention and he deserved it. He may not have the spring in his foot he used to have, but I'm so proud of him and grateful for everything he's given us." That speaks for all of us.