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

This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (May 2010)

Quick Facts Sire, Grandsire ...

Dust Commander
Dust Commander after winning the 1970 Kentucky Derby
Sire	Bold Commander
Grandsire	Bold Ruler
Dam	Dust Storm
Damsire	Windy City
Sex	Stallion
Foaled	February 8, 1967[1]
Died	October 7, 1991(1991-10-07) (aged 24)
Country	United States
Colour	Chestnut
Breeder	Pullen Brothers
Owner	Robert E. Lehmann. Silks: Gold, Red REL, Red Chevron on Sleeves, Gold Cap
Trainer	Don Combs
Record	42: 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

Close

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]

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.

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.