2-time Horse of the Year Cigar dies after surgery

Cigar, the two-time Horse of the Year whose 16-race winning streak is considered one of racing’s greatest achievements, has died. He was 24. A release from Kentucky Horse Park said that Cigar died Tuesday night at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital from complications following surgery for severe osteoarthritis in his neck. Cigar won 19 of 33 starts and earned nearly $10 million but was best known for his incredible run of wins that tied Citation. An allowance victory at Aqueduct in October 1994 began Cigar’s famed run that included 1995 wins in the Breeders’ Cup Classic and Hollywood Gold Cup. He was Horse of the Year in 1995 and 1996. Cigar was retired in 1999 and enshrined in the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2002. – Associated Press