Horse Of Year Honor Strengthens Cigar’s Standing In History

Cigar became the first horse since Triple Crown winner Affirmed to win consecutive Horse of the Year Awards on Tuesday, assuring his status as one of the all-time greats.

The Horse of the Year also completed his second straight sweep of Eclipse awards. On Jan. 10, he was named best older horse or gelding in North America after winning five of eight starts, including the $4 million Dubai World Cup and Woodward Stakes.

Cigar was the overwhelming choice of the three voting groups - the Thoroughbred Racing Associations, National Turf Writers Association and Daily Racing Form. Skip Away, the 3-year-old champion, was the only other horse to receive votes.

Cigar received 28 of 29 votes from the TRA, 109 of 118 from the Daily Racing Form and 131 of 145 from the turf writers. Skip Away had 25 votes.