Commands (28 September 1996 – 12 July 2014) was an Australian stakes winning racehorse and stallion.

Commands
SireDanehill
GrandsireDanzig
DamCotehele House
DamsireMy Swanee
SexStallion
Foaled(1996-09-28)28 September 1996
Died12 July 2014(2014-07-12) (aged 17)
CountryAustralia
ColourBay
BreederArrowfield Stud
OwnerJack Ingham
Bob Ingham
Darley Stud
TrainerJohn Hawkes
JockeyLarry Cassidy
Darren Gauci
Record15: 4–1–4
EarningsAU$417,231[1]
Major wins
Missile Stakes (1999)

Background

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Bred by Arrowfield Stud in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, Commands was a full brother to 5-time Group One winner Danewin.[2]

Racing career

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Commands won 4 races in his 15 start career with the highlight being the 1999 Missile Stakes at Rosehill as a two-year-old, beating the older horses at Weight for Age.[3]

He also ran placings in two Group One races, running third behind Redoute's Choice in the 1999 Caulfield Guineas and a second placing in The Galaxy.

Stud career

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Commands was retired to the Inghams' Woodlands Stud and in his first year in 2000 had a service fee of $10,000.

Darley Stud acquired ownership of Commands in 2008 following the purchase of the Inghams' breeding empire in Australia.

Commands retired from stallion duties in 2013. He is the sire of 14 time Group One winner Melody Belle. Overall he sired 13 individual Group One winners, and been Australia's "Leading Sire by Winners" on 3 consecutive occasions.[4]

Commands died suddenly on the 12 July 2014 at Darley's Kelvinside property in New South Wales aged 17.[5]

Notable progeny

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Commands' Group One winners:

c = colt, f = filly, g = gelding

Foaled Name Sex Major wins
2001 Undue g Doomben 10,000, Oakleigh Plate
2002 Paratroopers g All Aged Stakes
2004 Russeting f Winter Stakes
2005 Purple f Vinery Stud Stakes, Queensland Oaks
2007 Erewhon g Spring Champion Stakes
2007 Skilled c Champagne Stakes
2008 Appearance f Myer Classic, Coolmore Classic, Queen of the Turf Stakes, Canterbury Stakes
2009 Commanding Jewel f The Thousand Guineas
2009 Epaulette c Golden Rose Stakes, Doomben 10,000
2012 Holler c Canterbury Stakes
2013 Manuel g C F Orr Stakes
2014 Bella Vella f Robert Sangster Stakes
2014 Melody Belle f Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes, Tarzino Trophy (twice), Windsor Park Plate (three times), BCD Group Sprint, Haunui Farm Classic, New Zealand Stakes (twice), Livamol Spring Classic (twice), Empire Rose Stakes, Thorndon Mile

Pedigree

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Pedigree of Commands (AUS)[6]
Sire
Danehill (USA)
1986
Danzig (USA)
1977
Northern Dancer Nearctic
Natalma
Pas de Nom Admiral's Voyage
Petitioner
Razyana (USA)
1981
His Majesty Ribot
Flower Bowl
Spring Adieu Buckpasser
Natalma
Dam
Cotehele House (GB)
1980
My Swanee (GB)
1963
Petition Fair Trial
Art Paper
Grey Rhythm Grey Sovereign
Metronome
Eight Carat (GB)
1975
Pieces of Eight Relic
Baby Doll
Klairessa Klairon
Courtessa

References

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  1. ^ "Commands Horse Search". racingnsw.com.au. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  2. ^ "Sibling rivalries". tdnausnz.com.au. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  3. ^ "Feature race Missile Stakes". Australian Turf Club. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  4. ^ "The legacy of Commands". Darley Stud. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  5. ^ "Sad loss of super sire Commands". dynamicsyndications.com. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  6. ^ "Commands Horse Profile". pedigreequery.com. Retrieved 8 September 2021.