Cigar, born in 1990, was bred by Allen Paulson and was by Palace Music (by The Minstrel) out of Solar Slew (by Seattle Slew).

Cigar had not enjoyed an auspicious career on grass but his career changed dramatically when, late in his four year old career, he was switched to dirt.

His five year old career in 1995 was extraordinary with Cigar winning all ten of his races. Trained by William Mott and ridden by Jerry Bailey, these included the Gulfstream Park Handicap, the Woodward Stakes, the Jockey Club Gold Cup (where he beat Kentucky Derby winner Thunder Gulch) and, finally, the Breeders Cup Classic.

In the Breeders Cup Classic, which was run at Belmont Park, he took the lead over three furlongs out and ran on well to beat L`Carriere by two and a half lengths with Unaccounted For and Soul of the Matter third and fourth. He was crowned Horse of the Year.

In March 1996 Cigar headed to Dubai for the first Dubai World Cup, worth US$2.4 million to the winner. The race was an American 1,2,3 with Cigar beating Soul of the Matter by half a length with L`Carrirere third.

Cigar became the first horse to win both the Breeders Cup Classic and the Dubai World Cup.

He went on to win sixteen races in a row, a feat only achieved in the US before by Citation. Cigar lost his next race and was retired.

Cigar has a GR Rating of 139 (Dirt).