Cigar, Legendary Horse Born in Fallston, Passes Away at 24

Cigar, the thoroughbred born at a Fallston farm who went on to become one of the winningest racehorses of all time, passed away this week at the age of 24.

Known as “America’s horse,” Cigar was “a ham who posed for the cameras before beating the best of his generation,” according to the New York Times.

He was born April 18, 1990, at Country Life Farm in Fallston. He died Oct. 7 in Kentucky.

Cigar was twice named America’s Horse of the Year, in 1995 and 1996; was the leading money earner of all time at the time of his retirement, earning $9,999,815; was named Horse of the Decade for the 1990s; and equalled horse Citation for having the most consecutive racing wins, at 16.

“That thunder we heard last night must have been him galloping up into heaven—go get ‘em, big boy!” Country Life Farm posted on Facebook Wednesday.

The Harford County-born thoroughbred was often described as charismatic.

“...electricity would storm through the racetrack” when Cigar appeared at the starting gate, according to an ESPN reporter who was there for 14 of Cigar’s 16 consecutive wins.

Cigar was thrown a retirement party in Madison Square Gardens before the National Horse Show in 1996, the New York Times reported. He was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2002.

On Tuesday, Cigar passed away following a surgery to treat osteoarthritis in his neck, according to a statement from the Kentucky Horse Park, where the thoroughbred has lived in the Hall of Champions since 1999.

Kentucky’s governor issued a statement after Cigar passed, calling him an “ambassador” who “will be be missed.”

Cigar will be buried on the Memorial Walk of Champions near other thoroughbreds who lived in the Hall of Champions. A public memorial service will be held for Cigar at a future date to be determined. A banner has been placed by his grave at the Hall of Champions for guests and fans to sign.

A sign along Belair Road/US Route 1 near Bel Air at the entryway to Country Life Farm proclaims the site as the “Birthplace of Champion Cigar.” According to The Aegis, citizens have placed memorial bouquets by the sign this week.

Photo Credit: YouTube/HorseRacing