Produced from a mating that his owner had vehemently opposed, Commando was not nominated to the rich Futurity Stakes but dominated his crop as a juvenile anyway. In his sole loss that year, the Matron Stakes, the chart noted that he was given a poor ride. Commando returned at 3 to win the Belmont Stakes but lasted for only three starts before his legs gave way. At stud he mirrored his sire Domino, dying young but having a tremendous influence in spite of his abbreviated stud career.
Race record
9 starts, 7 wins, 2 seconds, 0 thirds, US$58,196
1900:
1901:
Honors
As an individual
Commando was a coarse, rather heavy-topped brown horse with a deep chest, powerful quarters and somewhat upright pasterns. His shoulders were heavy and he had low withers. He was somewhat sickle-hocked. He stood 16.2-3/8 hands. He could be fractious at the post but was otherwise good-natured and intelligent.
As a stallion
The leading American sire of 1907, Commando sired 27 foals, of which 10 (37.0%) won stakes. His sons Peter Pan, Ultimus, Celt and Colin all became noteworthy sires.
Notable progeny
Celt (USA), Colin (USA), Peter Pan (USA), Superman (USA), Transvaal (USA), Ultimus (USA)
Connections
Commando was bred and owned by James R. Keene. Although Billy Lakeland had owned the colt's dam, Emma C., Keene is listed as the official breeder. Commando was trained by James Rowe, Sr. Following the horse's retirement, he stood at Keene's Castleton Stud until his death from tetanus on March 13, 1905.
Pedigree notes
Commando is inbred 4x5x5x5x5 to the great Lexington, who led the American general sire list 16 times. His dam Emma C. produced nothing else of note but won two stakes races as a 3-year-old. Her dam Guenn (by Flood, a son of Lexington's great son Norfolk) was a tough staying mare who concluded her 3-year-old season by winning three stakes races in three days, including two that were three races apart on the same card. Emma C. was Guenn's only foal of any importance.
Books and media
Commando is one of 50 stallions profiled in Joe Palmer's Names in Pedigrees (1939, The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association; reprinted in 1974).
Fun facts
Last updated: June 23, 1923
Race record
9 starts, 7 wins, 2 seconds, 0 thirds, US$58,196
1900:
- Won Zephyr Stakes (USA, about 6FD, Sheepshead Bay)
- Won Great Trial Stakes (USA, 6FD, Sheepshead Bay)
- Won Montauk Stakes (USA, 6FD, Brighton Beach)
- Won Brighton Junior Stakes (USA, 6FD, Brighton Beach)
- Won Junior Champion Stakes (USA, 6FD, Gravesend)
- 2nd Matron Stakes (USA, 6FD, Morris Park)
1901:
- Won Belmont Stakes (USA, 11FD, Morris Park)
- Won Carlton Stakes (USA, 8FD, Gravesend)
- 2nd Lawrence Realization (USA, 13FD, Sheepshead Bay)
Honors
- National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (inducted in 1956)
- American Horse of the Year (1900, 1901)
- American champion 2-year-old male (1900)
- American champion 3-year-old male (1901)
As an individual
Commando was a coarse, rather heavy-topped brown horse with a deep chest, powerful quarters and somewhat upright pasterns. His shoulders were heavy and he had low withers. He was somewhat sickle-hocked. He stood 16.2-3/8 hands. He could be fractious at the post but was otherwise good-natured and intelligent.
As a stallion
The leading American sire of 1907, Commando sired 27 foals, of which 10 (37.0%) won stakes. His sons Peter Pan, Ultimus, Celt and Colin all became noteworthy sires.
Notable progeny
Celt (USA), Colin (USA), Peter Pan (USA), Superman (USA), Transvaal (USA), Ultimus (USA)
Connections
Commando was bred and owned by James R. Keene. Although Billy Lakeland had owned the colt's dam, Emma C., Keene is listed as the official breeder. Commando was trained by James Rowe, Sr. Following the horse's retirement, he stood at Keene's Castleton Stud until his death from tetanus on March 13, 1905.
Pedigree notes
Commando is inbred 4x5x5x5x5 to the great Lexington, who led the American general sire list 16 times. His dam Emma C. produced nothing else of note but won two stakes races as a 3-year-old. Her dam Guenn (by Flood, a son of Lexington's great son Norfolk) was a tough staying mare who concluded her 3-year-old season by winning three stakes races in three days, including two that were three races apart on the same card. Emma C. was Guenn's only foal of any importance.
Books and media
Commando is one of 50 stallions profiled in Joe Palmer's Names in Pedigrees (1939, The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association; reprinted in 1974).
Fun facts
- Emma C. was so rawboned and coarse that James R. Keene gave her to trainer Billy Lakeland with orders to get her off Keene's farm. Later, after she had proven to be a useful runner, Lakeland elected to use the breeding right he had been given to Domino to breed Emma C. to him. Keene vigorously opposed the homely mare as a mate for his beautiful Domino and gave in only reluctantly, a decision that led to his becoming the breeder and owner of Domino's best son.
- Commando was never extended on the track. His half-length defeat by Beau Gallant in the Matron Stakes was attributed solely to his jockey's having begun to ease him up without realizing that Beau Gallant was mounting a challenge along the rail. In his other defeat, the Lawrence Realization, Commando broke down during the running. James Rowe said of him, “We never knew how good he was.”
Last updated: June 23, 1923