Darley laments loss of Commands

Darley Australia has announced its champion stallion Commands passed away on Saturday morning.  Aged 17, he was based at Sheikh Mohammed’s Kelvinside Stud in NSW.

Commands (Danehill) won the G3 Missile Stakes and was placed in the G1 Galaxy and G1 Caulfield Guineas for Woodlands Stud owners Jack and Bob Ingham.

Retired to stud in 2000, Commands set an Australian record of 155 individual winners in 2010-11.  He also held the title of Leading Sire by Winners on three consecutive occasions.

Among his 63 black-type winners have been Group 1 winners Appearance, Commanding Jewel, Epaulette, Erewhon, Paratroopers, Purple, Russeting, Skilled and Undue.

“Commands has had a profound influence on the success of our racing team since the Woodlands purchase in 2008,” Darley Australia managing director Henry Plumptre said.  “His consistency and ability to produce a Group 1 horse every year has underpinned the purchase and he will be sorely missed.

“Fortunately his legacy will live on through his progeny and we are lucky enough to have two of his Group 1 winning sons in Epaulette and Skilled standing on our roster this year.

Commands shuttled to France and Japan earlier in his career and is the sire of 1,452 foals, with another 160 mares covered last season.  His progeny have amassed close to $84 million in prizemoney.