Commando (horse)

Commando
Commando, c. 1901
SireDomino
GrandsireHimyar
DamEmma C.
DamsireDarebin
SexStallion
Foaled1898 (1898)
Died1905 (aged 6–7)
CountryUnited States
ColourBay
BreederCastleton Stud
OwnerJames R. Keene
TrainerJames G. Rowe Sr.
Record9: 7-2-0
Earnings$58,196[1]
Major wins
Brighton Junior Stakes (1900)
Great Trial Stakes (1900)
Montauk Stakes (1900)
Zephyr Stakes (1900)
Junior Champion Stakes (1900)
Belmont Stakes (1901)
Carlton Stakes (1901)
Awards
U.S. Champion 2-Yr-Old Colt (1900)
United States Horse of the Year (1900 & 1901)
U.S. Champion 3-Yr-Old Colt (1901)
Leading sire in North America (1907)
Honours
United States Racing Hall of Fame (1956)
Last updated on February 4, 2007

Commando (1898–1905) was an American Hall of Fame Champion Thoroughbred racehorse.[2]

Racing career

Bred at Castleton Stud by owner James R. Keene, Commando raced at age two, winning five of his six starts and finishing second in the other as a result of jockey error. At age three, Commando raced only three times, winning the Belmont Stakes and the Carlton Stakes. In the Belmont Stakes at Morris Park Racecourse he faced two opponents, only one of whom, The Parader was seen as a serious rival. Commando made almost all the running before going clear in the straight and winning easily.[3] Although he finished second, an injury in the Lawrence Realization Stakes ended his racing career.

Race record: 9-7-2-0. Career earnings: $58,196
Date Track Race Distance

(Furlngs)

Finish

(margin)

Chart comment Notes
6-25-1900 Sheepshead Bay Zephyr Stakes 6 (about) 1 (1½) "Much the best" Futurity course

Track: good

6-30-1900 Sheepshead Bay Great Trial Stakes 6 (about) 1 (3) "Eased up" Futurity course
7-6-1900 Brighton Beach Montauk Stakes 6 1 (8) "Outclassed rest"
8-7-1900 Brighton Beach Brighton Junior 6 1 (head) "best"
9-11-1900 Gravesend Junior Championship 6 1 (1) "Eased up at end"
10-2-1900 Morris Park Matron Stakes 6 (about) 2 (½) "Poor ride" Eclipse course
5-23-1901 Morris Park Belmont Stakes 11 1 (½) "Tired at end"
6-1-1901 Gravesend Carlton Stakes 8 1 (4) "Never extended"
7-4-1901 Sheepshead Bay Lawrence Realization 13 2 (2) "Tired badly, game" Track: muddy

Stud record

Retired to stand at stud at Castleton Farm, Commando proved to be a successful sire. Unfortunately he died on 13 March 1905 at age seven after developing tetanus from a cut sustained to his foot. He was buried at Castleton Farm. Although his breeding career was limited to four seasons, Commando produced 10 stakes winners from 27 foals and posthumously topped the U.S. sire list in 1907. Among his progeny were Hall of Fame champions Colin and Peter Pan.

Honors

In 1956, Commando was inducted posthumously into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.[4] A painting of Commando by equine artist Charles L. Zellinsky is on display as part of the museum's collection.

Pedigree

Pedigree of Commando, bay stallion, 1898
Sire
Domino
Himyar Alarm Eclipse
Maud
Hira Lexington
Hegira
Mannie Gray Enquirer Leamington
Lida
Lizzie G. War Dance
Lecomte mare
Dam
Emma C.
Darebin The Peer Melbourne
Cinizelli
Lurline Traducer
Mermaid
Guenn Flood Norfolk
Hennie Farrow
Glendew Glengarry
Glenrose (family: 12-b)

References

  1. ^ http://www.pedigreequery.com/commando Commandos' pedigree and racing stats
  2. ^ "Commando". Racingmuseum.org. 1956-01-01. Retrieved 2018-08-31.
  3. ^ "Baltimore Morning Herald - Google News Archive Search".
  4. ^ "National Museum of Racing - Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on 2006-12-30. Retrieved 2006-11-25. Commando at the United States' National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame