LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Kentucky Horse Park will unveil a new memorial statue dedicated to the great Thoroughbred champion Cigar on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 3 p.m. Created by artist Douwe “Dow” Blumberg, the statue will be placed at Cigar’s gravesite at the Hall of Champions and features Cigar with jockey Jerry Bailey winning the 1995 Breeders’ Cup Classic.
One of the world’s top Thoroughbred racehorses, Cigar died Oct. 7, 2014, at age 24. In May 1999, Cigar came to the Kentucky Horse Park to live out his retirement. He was voted Champion Older Male and Horse of the Year in both 1995 and 1996. In August 2002 he was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. Cigar was also voted the Racehorse of the Decade of the 1990s.
Blumberg is a Kentucky artist and former professional horse trainer. Originally from Los Angeles, California, he now resides north of Lexington. His works include New York City’s new America’s Response Monument and the Flight 5191 memorial in Lexington. Thanks to support from all over the world, the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation was able to commission the statue. Additional contributions are being accepted to complete the Cigar Memorial.
The Kentucky Horse Park is open daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Nov. 1. Admission is $16 for adults and $8 for children, and includes the Next Day Free. Admission includes the International Museum of the Horse, a Smithsonian Affiliate; and the “Showplace for Saddlebreds” – The American Saddlebred Museum & Gift Shop.
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