re-working the stallion's breeding schedule to allow time for
fans to visit him. The attention brought visibility to the farm's
business and spotlighted McCarthy, an introvert by nature who
did not go out socially in the industry to do business. He left
that to Hertrich.
While Cigar actively did his duty, he failed to impregnate one
mare and was subsequently shipped to the Kentucky Horse
Park after two breeding seasons. However, another horse
of note, A P Valentine, runnerup in the 2001 Preakness and
Belmont, found a way to successfully get mares in foal when
shipped to Watercress because of McCarthy's diligence.
"We had over time seven or eight stallions that came in with
fertility problems and the only one that shot blanks was Cigar,
and he loved his work," Hertrich says. "He bred three mares a
day whether he needed to or not."
Cigar left Hertrich with a memory he will never forget. When
the stud first came to Watercress and was standing in his pad-
dock, Hertrich decided he wanted to see the superstar up close
and get a picture of him. McCarthy warned Hertrich to be care-
ful.
"I get within 15 yards of the middle of the paddock and all of
a sudden Cigar pins his ears and starts coming after me and I
pole-vaulted over the fence and landed on my butt," Hertrich
