Cigar inducted into Hall of Fame

Cigar, winner of the inaugural Dubai World Cup in 1996, has been conferred with one of horse racing's highest honours as it has being elected to Thoroughbred Racing's Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

Bred and owned by the late Allen Paulson, Cigar won 19 of 33 starts and earned a North American-record $9,999,815. He was the Horse of the Year in 1995 and 1996.

"He performed and did everything we could ever dream of," said Madeleine Paulson, representing her late husband.

More than 140 racing journalists and historians voted. The induction ceremony will take place at Saratoga Springs, New York, where the Hall of Fame is located.

Dubai World Cup Committee Chairman Les Benton has been given the honour to present the award to Mrs Paulson.

Benton prior to leaving for Saratoga, to attend the ceremony said: "This is an honour to be asked by the Hall of Fame to present this most prestigious award to a horse that began a famous honour rill of Dubai World Cup Champions.

"Cigar proved himself the champion race horse of America in 1995 and when he came to Dubai to defeat a field of super stars in the inaugural running of the Dubai World Cup in 1996, he proved himself the champion race horse of the world."

Benton also acknowledged Cigar's role in helping build the Dubai World Cup's image.

"The courage his connections displayed in bringing him to Dubai is one of the main reasons that the Dubai world cup is the major success that it is. They showed it could be done and others have followed their lead. The Hall of Fame is an award that is due recognition to his achievements and will ensure that he is never forgotten."

Cigar's sequence of victories include many of America's major races including the Breeders' Cup Classic, the Jockey Club Gold Cup, the Donn Handicap, the Woodward Stakes, the Hollywood Gold Cup and the Pimlico Special.