Few sports fans ever have the privilege of watching a world-class trainer cultivate a champion athlete—and even fewer fans have the opportunity to witness the development of an elite animal athlete. The transformation of Cigar from a horse that showed modest turf ability to one that developed into a legend on dirt illustrates how critical a trainer’s role can be in our sport. 

The transformation of Cigar from a horse that showed modest turf ability to one that developed into a legend on dirt illustrates how critical a trainer’s role can be.

Every once in a while I like to veer off the beaten path in this blog, and when I do so it’s usually for one of two reasons: it’s a Mid-Atlantic-based racehorse (hey, I’m a Delaware Park guy) or it’s a Thoroughbred who has flashed eye-catching finishing speed. In Ultimate Love’s case, it’s the best of both worlds.