With 15 consecutive victories, Cigar put himself in the company of some of the sport's greatest names. Following is a listing that shows how some of the leading thoroughbreds of the 20th century compare with Cigar in terms of consecutive victories.

It was a grand career that deserved a grand retirement, as owner Madeleine Paulson and Jockey Jerry Bailey made sure it would be just that for one of the greatest horses to ever grace the track. Cigar was transported to New York City and paraded down the street to Madison Square Garden as fans of all ages lined the streets to grab a glimpse of the racehorse one last time. Once inside Madison Square Garden, Cigar received a standing ovation as he was joined by his jockey, Jerry Bailey, for one last ride.

It was in the 1995 Breeders’ Cup Classic that Cigar became America’s sweetheart. He turned doubters into believers as one of the greatest horses to ever race. On March 27, 1996, Cigar proved himself against the worlds best at the $4 million dollar Dubai World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

Throughout his racing career, Cigar has generated nearly 10 million dollars and won races all over the world over, from Dubai to Canada to the United States. Despite being one of the greatest horses Cigar didn't have the sheer size or finishing speed like other past legends. Cigar possessed very few traits that pointed towards the greatness to come. What Cigar lack in blinding speed or physical strength he made up for in his affinity for dirt.

Pedigree:

Cigar, bay colt foaled 1990	Palace Music, 1981	The Minstrel, 1974
		Come My Prince, 1972
	Solar Slew, 1982	Seattle Slew, 1974
		Gold Sun (Arg), 1974

Career Highlights:

• 1995 Champion Handicap Male
• 1995 Horse of the Year
• 1996 Champion Handicap Male
• 1996 Horse of the Year
• 1996 Hwt Older Horse in UAE 9.5-11F
• Carried 130 pounds to victory in the '96 Massachusetts Handicap.
• Won 16 straight races from the Oct. 28, 1994 NYRA Mile through the July 13, 1996 Arlington Citation Challenge. Lost the 17th race, the Aug. 19, 1996 Pacific Classic (Gr. I) after engaging in a speed duel with Siphon, setting up a win by Dare and Go.
• Cigar shares his 16 win streak with only one other North American runner in this century, Citation.
• Undefeated in 1995, winning 10 of 10 starts, 8 of them Gr. I.
• Won the inaugural running of the Dubai World Cup in 1996. Despite lacking a Gr. I status, it attracted the most accomplished (money earned) field in racing history to that point.
• Won a total of 11 Gr. Is and the Dubai World Cup.
• Retired as the leading North American money earner of all time with $9,999,813, a record which stands to this day.

Race Record

Year	Age	Starts	1st	2nd	3rd	Earnings
1993	3	9	2	2	2	89,175
1994	4	6	2	0	2	180,838
1995	5	10	10	0	0	4,819,800
1996	6	8	5	2	1	4,910,000
Dirt		22	18	2	1
Turf		11	1	2	4
Totals		33	19		5	9,999,813