Dust Commander (February 8, 1967 – October 7, 1991) was an American Thoroughbred race horse.

Dust Commander
Dust Commander after winning the 1970 Kentucky Derby
SireBold Commander
GrandsireBold Ruler
DamDust Storm
DamsireWindy City
SexStallion
FoaledFebruary 8, 1967[1]
DiedOctober 7, 1991(1991-10-07) (aged 24)
CountryUnited States
ColourChestnut
BreederPullen Brothers
OwnerRobert E. Lehmann. Silks: Gold, Red REL, Red Chevron on Sleeves, Gold Cap
TrainerDon Combs
Record42: 8-5-4
Earnings$215,012
Major wins
Blue Grass Stakes (1970) Triple Crown classic race wins:
Kentucky Derby (1970)
Honours
Dust Commander Stakes at Turfway Park

Background edit

The name "Dust Commander" is derived from his dam, Dust Storm, and his sire, Bold Commander. A descendant of Nearco, Dust Commander was bred by the Pullen brothers. He was owned by Robert E. Lehmann and trained by Don Combs. His dam Dust Storm was descended from the American broodmare Laughing Queen (foaled 1929) who was also the female-line ancestor of Tom Fool.[2]

Racing career edit

 
Dust Commander's Owners Trophy

In a 3-year racing career, Dust Commander had 8 wins, 5 places and 4 shows in 42 starts. He finished his career with $215,012 in winnings. Some of the highlights of his career include winning as a 2-year-old the City of Miami Beach Handicap and as a 3-year-old the Blue Grass Stakes, a Kentucky Derby prep race.

On May 2, 1970, with Mike Manganello aboard, Dust Commander won the 96th running of the Kentucky Derby in 2:03.4 ahead of My Dad George and High Echelon.[3]

Hunter S. Thompson's seminal 1970 essay "The Kentucky Derby is Decadent and Depraved" detailed the running of the Derby won by Dust Commander.

Stud record edit

Standing at stud, Dust Commander sired the 1975 Preakness Stakes winner, Master Derby.

In 2006, the family of the late Robert E. Lehmann donated Dust Commander's Kentucky Derby Trophy to the Kentucky Derby Museum.

Pedigree edit

Pedigree of Dust Commander (USA), chestnut stallion, 1967[1]
Sire
Bold Commander (USA)
1964
Bold Ruler (USA)
1954
Nasrullah Nearco
Mumtaz Begum
Miss Disco Discovery
Outdone
High Voltage (USA)
1952
Ambiorix Tourbillon
Lavendula
Dynamo Menow
Bransome
Dam
Dust Storm (USA)
1956
Windy City (GB)
1949
Wyndham Blenheim
Bossover
Staunton The Satrap
Crotanstown
Challure (USA)
1948
Challedon Challenger
Laura Gal
Captivation Stimulus
Laughing Queen (Family: 3-j)[2]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Dust Commander pedigree". equineline.com.
  2. ^ a b "Sister to Skysweeper - Family 3-j". Thoroughbred Bloodlines.
  3. ^ "1970".