Cigars & Horse Racing – Why Horse Bettors Like Cigars

Those who have spent any time around a live race track will tell you that cigars are enjoyed by many horse bettors. You may be making most of your bets at an online racebook, but you can still savor a cigar after a nice winning bet. Here’s a closer look at how cigars relate to horse racing, and how one of the most famous race horses shared the name of this type of tobacco.

The Cigar-Smoking Handicapper

Somehow over time the image of the horse racing bettor smoking a fat cigar became very popular. It is likely that some of the oldest American handicappers smoked a stogie now and then. That includes Pittsburgh Phil, one of the most legendary horse racing bettors of all time. The Racing Maxims of Pittsburgh Phil became one of the most important books of horse racing betting, but nary a word is said about cigars.

We don’t really know if Pittsburgh Phil smoked cigars or not. All we know is that an image developed throughout the 1900s of the cigar-smoking bettor. It could be that the association comes from the Mafia ties that were sometimes linked to horse racing. Al Capone was a big fan of cigars, and he was the face of the American Mafia for many decades.

No matter how it developed, the image exists. Those who visit live race tracks or horse racing betting parlors in Las Vegas expect to see someone smoking a cigar or smell the familiar aroma. To many bettors, this is comforting.

Cigar Smoking and the Kentucky Derby

Each year the Kentucky Derby is one of the most popular sporting events. It is attended by celebrities and regular people, and a big part of the festivities is taking part in fine food, drink, and the occasional cigar.

According to the Louisville Courier-Journal, cigar smoking has evolved into a social activity at the Kentucky Derby. Some people believe that this can be traced to horse racing’s jockey Steve Cauthen. The young Cauthen won the Triple Crown on Affirmed in 1978. He was photographed after the Belmont Stakes enjoying a big cigar.

The image came to represent success at the horse racing track, both as an athlete and a bettor. At the Kentucky Derby there are parties devoted to sampling cigars and the best bourbon. Such images can become shorthand for celebration, but a cigar or bourbon is not evidence of successful handicapping. A visible ritual says nothing about the complete record of winning and losing tickets.

Cigar Rituals and Racing Superstition

Our team of writers and handicappers has been privileged to know many professional handicappers over the years, and we have observed many horse racing traditions. One of these seems to be enjoying a cigar after a big win at the race track.

There are some handicappers who only smoke when they win a bet of a certain size. At other times they may keep an unlit cigar in their mouth as a habit. Either way, this can become a routine for the horse racing bettor. If you ask anyone on the race track, routines can quickly turn into superstitions.

The bettor may have been smoking a cigar the last time a large bet was won. Superstition takes hold and now the bettor believes that he should be smoking all the time.

The Great Race Horse Cigar

No discussion on horse racing betting and cigars would be complete without a mention of the legendary Cigar. Cigar was a race horse that won an amazing 16 races in a row. He matched the 16-race sequence associated with Citation, rather than being the first horse ever to win 16 consecutive races; the National Museum of Racing profile documents his run. Cigar was trained by William Mott and ridden by Jerry Bailey.

The interesting thing about Cigar is that the horse was not really named after the tobacco product! Cigar’s owner was an aviation professional who named the horse after an aviation term. Even so, most people today associate the horse with smoking.

The Cigar and Horse Racing Connection Through History

The association between cigars and horse racing is one of the sport’s most enduring cultural clichés — and like most clichés, it persists because it contains genuine truth. The image of the track veteran, racing form in hand, cigar in mouth, studying the tote board with encyclopaedic knowledge of trainer patterns has been a fixture of racing’s visual vocabulary for over a century. The connection was perhaps most brilliantly reinforced by the champion racehorse Cigar himself, whose name and dominant mid-1990s career made the association between the sport and the product practically inescapable for a generation of racing fans.

The practical appeal of cigar smoking at the racetrack reflects the specific social environment that horse racing creates. A day at the races — particularly at a track with outdoor betting areas and grandstands — provides both the leisure time and the open-air environment that cigar smoking requires. The contemplative nature of handicapping, the long intervals between races, and the communal atmosphere of shared anticipation all lend themselves to the slow, deliberate pleasure of a quality cigar in a way that faster-paced sports environments do not. For racing fans who want to explore the lifestyle culture surrounding the sport, our article on bourbon and horse racing betting covers the other classic pairing. And our guide to top gifts for horse racing fans and bettors identifies the accessories that most resonate with dedicated racing enthusiasts.

Cigar Bars and Horse Racing Tracks

Venue offerings and smoking rules vary. Do not assume that a racetrack has a cigar bar or permits smoking in its outdoor grandstand; check the current visitor policy and designated areas for the specific meeting. This is a place where horse racing bettors can go to have a drink and a cigar, and they can talk about the day’s wins or losses. Many of them feel like commiserating goes better with a strong tobacco.

In these areas of the live race track do not be surprised to find the walls decorated with paintings of legendary horses from bygone eras. There is an atmosphere of elegance when it comes to cigar bars, and at some tracks like Saratoga you can find the very best handmade cigars. Of course, be prepared to pay handsomely for the privilege of smoking one.

Now, don’t feel left out if you are betting from home with an online racebook. A comfortable viewing setup and a quiet place to do your handicapping can support concentration without making tobacco or alcohol part of the routine. You can find excellent betting opportunities at Amwager or any of the online racebooks that we recommend.

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