best single year by a horse....

[avance2000]

....in the last 25 years.

since my hypothetical derby got a lot of discussion lets see how this one works out. here are the guidelines. the rules are simple. what horse(s) had the best single years (meaning january 1 through december 31st) from 1981 - 2006 (sorry spectacular bid fans). so for example, if you took cigar - 1995 his victory in the 1996 dubai world Cup would not factor in. got it?
here are my top 3:

#3 - john henry - 1981 - How many horses are going to pull off the big cap/arlington million/jockey club gold cup triple in a single season? Add his 5 other graded stakes wins and he makes my top 3.

#2 - personal ensign - 1988 - 7 for 7 with 6 g1s. beat the boys in the whitney and beat the kentucky derby winner in the bc distaff.

#1 - cigar - 1995 - his 1995 season was so spectacular that you dont even need to count his races at the start of 1996. imo - best year by a horse since the bid in '80.