Cigar

[jpops757]

If they would have known about his fertility problem, would they kept him in training and raced him 3-4 times a year in the top races?

Originally Posted by jpops757

If they would have known about his fertility problem, would they kept him in training and raced him 3-4 times a year in the top races?

IMO, nope. You have to remember that they had a $27mm dollar infertility insurance policy on him (I think this is correct).

[Cajungator26]

Has anyone been out to the Kentucky Horse Park to see him? I've heard he's quite the character.

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by Cardus

When I saw him in April 2005, he looked terrific. One of the stable hands said that they let him out for most of the night and he loves it. John Henry was situated next to him; he wasn't up for visitors on that Friday morning. Very swaybacked then.

There was an embarrassing element to the Horse Park at that time, though: away from the main barn -- in which Cigar, John Henry, and another well-known horse whose name escapes me were stabled -- there was a smaller barn with one horse from eight types of breed. Each horse was considered the "representative" of that breed. The Thoroughbred "rep?" Da Hoss!

I couldn't believe it! A genuine champion as a museum piece. Awful! He should have been in big barn with the other champs. This was over a year ago, so hopefully, that has changed.

How game was he in 1998?

"This is the best comeback since Lazarus!"

I think that Da Hoss is still the thoroughbred "rep." It is sad, but luckily horses don't see things like people do.

The last time I went (it's been a long time), Bold Forbes was still alive. It was cool to see him up close.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Cajungator26

The last time I went (it's been a long time), Bold Forbes was still alive. It was cool to see him up close.

Bold Forbes was a fine animal. His gutty Belmont win was memorable.

I saw his first US race.

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Bold Forbes was a fine animal. His gutty Belmont win was memorable.

I saw his first US race.

Yeah, he was really something. He knew he was a champ.

[Downthestretch55]

Originally Posted by Cardus

When I saw him in April 2005, he looked terrific. One of the stable hands said that they let him out for most of the night and he loves it. John Henry was situated next to him; he wasn't up for visitors on that Friday morning. Very swaybacked then.

There was an embarrassing element to the Horse Park at that time, though: away from the main barn -- in which Cigar, John Henry, and another well-known horse whose name escapes me were stabled -- there was a smaller barn with one horse from eight types of breed. Each horse was considered the "representative" of that breed. The Thoroughbred "rep?" Da Hoss!

I couldn't believe it! A genuine champion as a museum piece. Awful! He should have been in big barn with the other champs. This was over a year ago, so hopefully, that has changed.

How game was he in 1998?

"This is the best comeback since Lazarus!"

Cardus,
Thanks for the memory!
For those that don't know the story...
http://www.thoroughbredchampions.com...ies/dahoss.htm

1998 BC...lots there!

[paisjpq]

Originally Posted by Cardus

When I saw him in April 2005, he looked terrific. One of the stable hands said that they let him out for most of the night and he loves it. John Henry was situated next to him; he wasn't up for visitors on that Friday morning. Very swaybacked then.

There was an embarrassing element to the Horse Park at that time, though: away from the main barn -- in which Cigar, John Henry, and another well-known horse whose name escapes me were stabled -- there was a smaller barn with one horse from eight types of breed. Each horse was considered the "representative" of that breed. The Thoroughbred "rep?" Da Hoss!

I couldn't believe it! A genuine champion as a museum piece. Awful! He should have been in big barn with the other champs. This was over a year ago, so hopefully, that has changed.

How game was he in 1998?

"This is the best comeback since Lazarus!"

correct me if I am wrong but isn't the "hall of Champions" barn only four stalls? I've been to the horse park a couple of times (mostly to watch Rolex) but it seems like I remember that barn being really small...in 03 the last time I went they had Cigar and John Henrry and CR Renegade and a saddlebred i can't remember the name of...
the "parade of Breeds" show is well meaning for the most part but I always found it kind of lame and not really representative of any actual breed "job"

[KirisClown]

Originally Posted by jpops757

If they would have known about his fertility problem, would they kept him in training and raced him 3-4 times a year in the top races?

Only if they wanted him to continually lose...

Just a quick glance at the top races of 1997, I think Cigar would have had a very rough time of it.

[Charismatic1]

Originally Posted by KirisClown

Only if they wanted him to continually lose...

Just a quick glance at the top races of 1997, I think Cigar would have had a very rough time of it.

Or his opponents may have had a very tough time with him. Sure, he lost a couple races in '96, but he SHOULD have won the Classic had he not been 6-7 wide around both turns. He still only lost by a head or neck. That's the case of Bailey riding like he knew he had the best horse a little too much. He might've been clearly the best horse, but anyone's going to have trouble winning the Classic at 10 furlongs running 12 furlongs.

[Downthestretch55]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

This might come off as me being a super fan or something, but I go back every so often and watch that replay of the '98 mile. Da Hoss is my all time favorite horse, obviously, and am planning a trip next year to get take a look at him.

Da Hoss's daddy, Gone West, sired a nice one that stands in NY.
He's named Western Expression and stands at High Cliff Farm.
You can see him if you go to nybreds.com, click on the HighCliff link (right side) and click on their stallions. Western Expression has produced many winners. See their "press room".
DTS

[Hickory Hill Hoff]

Originally Posted by Downthestretch55

Da Hoss's daddy, Gone West, sired a nice one that stands in NY.
He's named Western Expression and stands at High Cliff Farm.
You can see him if you go to nybreds.com, click on the HighCliff link (right side) and click on their stallions. Western Expression has produced many winners. See their "press room".
DTS

Had a chance to take a tour of the farm a few year's back, saw West Expression that day (I think he was new to the farm at the time)
saw Scarlet Ibis (he was one mean dude, had a muzzle on him...I guess he liked to bite!) and Thunder Rumble daddy; Thunder Puddles was grazing out in the field that day. Great place, only 45 minutes from my home!

[KirisClown]

Originally Posted by Charismatic1

Or his opponents may have had a very tough time with him. Sure, he lost a couple races in '96, but he SHOULD have won the Classic had he not been 6-7 wide around both turns. He still only lost by a head or neck. That's the case of Bailey riding like he knew he had the best horse a little too much. He might've been clearly the best horse, but anyone's going to have trouble winning the Classic at 10 furlongs running 12 furlongs.

It's all speculation, but for Cigar to return as a 7yr old... and have to face the likes of Formal Gold, Skip Away, Wills Way etc on the east coast.. or Siphon and Gentlemen on the west coast.. it would probably have been a little too much for him at that advanced stage in his career...