Commando (horse)

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

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 by two lengths, in track record time for the distance. Although he finished second, an injury in the Lawrence Realization Stakes ended his racing career.

Stud record

Retired to stand at stud at Castleton Farm, Commando proved to be a successful sire. 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. A painting of Commando by equine artist Charles L. Zellinsky is on display as part of the museum's collection.

Sire line tree

• Commando Peter Pan Black Toney Black Servant Blue Larkspur Big Pebble Beau Butler Black Gold Broadway Jones Black Panther Brokers Tip Market Wise Balladier Bold And Bad Spy Song Double Jay Mr Music Bimelech Brookfield Burning Dream Bymeabond Blue Border Better Self Guillotine Bassanio Bradley Hilarious Torch Of War Jabneh Laugh Getthere Jack Pennant Bunting Jolly Roger Valorous Equipoise Attention Equestrian Bolingbroke Swing And Sway Shut Out Red Rain Dauber The Chief Maeda Delegate Tryster Laurano Croyden Macaw Captain Kettle Peter Hastings Petrose Pet Bully Superman Gladiator Surf Rider Celt Dunboyne Touch Me Not Peter Quince Papp Peter King Colin Gentle Shepherd On Watch Sortie Magic Hour Tick On Observant Time Clock Brazado Flash Burn Curandero Jock Neddie Good Goods Alsab Nedayr Neds Flying Transvaal Boniface Ultimus Luke McLuke Mr Sponge High Cloud Holyrood High Time Sarazen High Strung Star Fiddle Zacaweista Buzfuz Infinite Economic Inshore Inlander Westwick Speculate Stimulus Clang Danger Point Stir Up Supremus Dynastic

Pedigree

* Commando is inbred 4S x 5S x 5S x 5D x 5D to the stallion Lexington, meaning that he appears fourth generation once and fifth generation twice (via Lida and War Dance) on the sire side of his pedigree, and fifth generation twice (via Norfolk and Glenrose) on the dam side of his pedigree.