Commando (horse)
Commando 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 easily. Although he finished second, an injury in the Lawrence Realization Stakes ended his racing career.| Date | Track | Race | Distance | Finish | Chart comment | Notes |
| 6-25-1900 | Sheepshead Bay | Zephyr Stakes | 6 | 1 | "Much the best" | Futurity course Track: good |
| 6-30-1900 | Sheepshead Bay | Great Trial Stakes | 6 | 1 | "Eased up" | Futurity course |
| 7-6-1900 | Brighton Beach | Montauk Stakes | 6 | 1 | "Outclassed rest" | |
| 8-7-1900 | Brighton Beach | Brighton Junior | 6 | 1 | "best" | |
| 9-11-1900 | Gravesend | Junior Championship | 6 | 1 | "Eased up at end" | |
| 10-2-1900 | Morris Park | Matron Stakes | 6 | 2 | "Poor ride" | Eclipse course |
| 5-23-1901 | Morris Park | Belmont Stakes | 11 | 1 | "Tired at end" | |
| 6-1-1901 | Gravesend | Carlton Stakes | 8 | 1 | "Never extended" | |
| 7-4-1901 | Sheepshead Bay | Lawrence Realization | 13 | 2 | "Tired badly, game" | Track: muddy |
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