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{{Short description|Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

{{Infobox racehorse
{{Infobox racehorse
| horsename = Commander Collins
| horsename = Commander Collins
Line 8: Line 11:
| damsire = [[Kenmare (horse)|Kenmare]]
| damsire = [[Kenmare (horse)|Kenmare]]
| sex = Stallion
| sex = Stallion
| foaled = 8 April 1996<ref name="pedigree">{{cite web|url=https://www.equineline.com/Free-5X-Pedigree.cfm?page_state=ORDER_AND_CONFIRM&reference_number=2504663&registry=T&horse_name=Commander%20Collins%20(IRE)&dam_name=Kanmary%20(FR)&foaling_year=1996&nicking_stats_indicator=Y|title=Commander Collins pedigree |publisher=equineline.com |date=2012-05-08 |accessdate=2013-05-05}}</ref>
| foaled = 8 April 1996<ref name="pedigree">{{cite web|url=https://www.equineline.com/Free-5X-Pedigree.cfm?page_state=ORDER_AND_CONFIRM&reference_number=2504663&registry=T&horse_name=Commander%20Collins%20(IRE)&dam_name=Kanmary%20(FR)&foaling_year=1996&nicking_stats_indicator=Y|title=Commander Collins pedigree |website=Equineline|date=2012-05-08 |accessdate=2013-05-05}}</ref>
| country = Ireland
| country = Ireland
| colour = [[Bay (horse)|Bay]]
| colour = [[Bay (horse)|Bay]]
| breeder = [[Robert Sangster|Swettenham Stud]]
| breeder = [[Robert Sangster|Swettenham Stud]]
| owner = [[Robert Sangster]], [[Sue Magnier]] and Tony Collins
| owner = [[Robert Sangster]], [[Sue Magnier]] and Tony Collins
| trainer = [[Peter Chapple-Hyam]]<br>[[John Gosden]]
| trainer = [[Peter Chapple-Hyam]]<br />[[John Gosden]]
| record = 10: 2-1-2
| record = 10: 2-1-2
| earnings = £151,099
| earnings = £151,099
| race = [[Superlative Stakes]] (1998)<br>[[Racing Post Trophy]] (1998)
| race = [[Superlative Stakes]] (1998)<br />[[Racing Post Trophy]] (1998)
|awards=
|awards=
|honours =
|honours =
|updated=
|updated=
}}
}}
'''Commander Collins''' (8 April 1996 &ndash; after 2004) was an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and [[Horse breeding#Terminology|sire]]. He showed great promise as a two-year-old in 1998, winning the [[Superlative Stakes]] on his racecourse debut, taking second in the [[Champagne Stakes (Great Britain)|Champagne Stakes]] and then recording a seven length victory in the [[Racing Post Trophy]]. He never won again although he was placed in the [[Princess of Wales's Stakes]] and the [[Prix Foy]] as a four-year-old. He made no impact as a breeding stallion in a brief stud career spent in Japan and Ireland.
'''Commander Collins''' (8 April 1996 &ndash; after 2004) was an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and [[sire (horse)|sire]]. He showed great promise as a two-year-old in 1998, winning the [[Superlative Stakes]] on his racecourse debut, taking second in the [[Champagne Stakes (Great Britain)|Champagne Stakes]] and then recording a seven length victory in the [[Racing Post Trophy]]. He never won again although he was placed in the [[Princess of Wales's Stakes]] and the [[Prix Foy]] as a four-year-old. He made no impact as a breeding stallion in a brief stud career spent in Japan and Ireland.


==Background==
==Background==
Commander Collins was a bay horse with a narrow white [[Horse markings#Facial markings|blaze]] bred in Ireland by [[Robert Sangster]]'s Swettenham Stud. He was from the eleventh crop of foals sired by [[Sadler's Wells (horse)|Sadler's Wells]], who won the [[Irish 2000 Guineas]], [[Eclipse Stakes]] and [[Irish Champion Stakes]] in 1984 went on to be the [[Leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland|Champion sire]] on fourteen occasions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tbheritage.com/HistoricSires/LeadingSires/GBLeadSires.html |title=Leading Sires of Great Britain and Ireland |publisher=Tbheritage.com |date= |accessdate=2012-05-09}}</ref> Commander Collins' dam Kanmary was a high class racemare who won the [[Prix du Bois]] and was placed in several other major races.<ref name="Timeform1986"> {{cite book | author=Timeform staff|title=Racehorses of 1986| publisher=Timeform|year=1987|isbn=0-900599-44-8}}</ref> She was even more successful as broodmare, producing Colonel Collins (third in the [[1994 Epsom Derby]]), City Leader ([[Royal Lodge Stakes]]) and [[Lit de Justice]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/71713/sprint-champion-lit-de-justice-dies|title=Sprint Champion Lit de Justice Dies|author=Blood-Horse Staff|date=1 August 2012|work=[[The Blood-Horse]]}}</ref> Kanmary was descended from the French broodmare Theodora who was the female-line ancestor of [[Soviet Star]] and [[The Very One]].<ref name="tbl">{{cite web|url=http://www.bloodlines.net/TB/Families/Family9f.htm|title=Toxophilite Mare - Family 9-f|work=Thoroughbred Bloodlines}}</ref>
Commander Collins was a bay horse with a narrow white [[blaze (horse marking)|blaze]] bred in Ireland by [[Robert Sangster]]'s Swettenham Stud. He was from the eleventh crop of foals sired by [[Sadler's Wells (horse)|Sadler's Wells]], who won the [[Irish 2,000 Guineas]], [[Eclipse Stakes]] and [[Irish Champion Stakes]] in 1984 went on to be the [[Leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland|Champion sire]] on fourteen occasions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tbheritage.com/HistoricSires/LeadingSires/GBLeadSires.html |title=Leading Sires of Great Britain and Ireland |publisher=Tbheritage.com |date= |accessdate=2012-05-09}}</ref> Commander Collins' dam Kanmary was a high class racemare who won the [[Prix du Bois]] and was placed in several other major races.<ref name="Timeform1986">{{cite book | author=Timeform staff|title=Racehorses of 1986| publisher=Timeform|year=1987|isbn=0-900599-44-8}}</ref> She was even more successful as broodmare, producing Colonel Collins (third in the [[1994 Epsom Derby]]), City Leader ([[Royal Lodge Stakes]]) and [[Lit de Justice]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/71713/sprint-champion-lit-de-justice-dies|title=Sprint Champion Lit de Justice Dies|author=Blood-Horse Staff|date=1 August 2012|work=[[The Blood-Horse]]}}</ref> Kanmary was descended from the French broodmare Theodora who was the female-line ancestor of [[Soviet Star]] and [[The Very One]].<ref name="tbl">{{cite web|url=http://www.bloodlines.net/TB/Families/Family9f.htm|title=Toxophilite Mare – Family 9-f|work=Thoroughbred Bloodlines}}</ref>


During his racing career, Commander Collins was owned by Sangster in partnership with Tony Collins, after whom the colt was named. Collins was a former trainer best known for his involvement in the [[Gay Future]] affair and had acquired the nickname "The Colonel" ironically after he failed an officer's exam during [[Conscription in the United Kingdom|National Service]]. Sangster had previously named Colonel Collins in his friend's honour.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/A+famous+win+and+a+famous+hangover%3B+Man+In+The+News%3A+Tony+Collins.-a060712890|title=A famous win and a famous hangover|author=David Ashworth|date=26 October 1998|publisher=Racing Post}}</ref> After the colt's second race, a share in his ownership was bought by [[John Magnier]].<ref name="sue"/> Commander Collins was sent into training with [[Peter Chapple-Hyam]] at Sangster's training establishment at [[Manton, Wiltshire|Manton]] in Wiltshire.
During his racing career, Commander Collins was owned by Sangster in partnership with Tony Collins, after whom the colt was named. Collins was a former trainer best known for his involvement in the [[Gay Future]] affair and had acquired the nickname "The Colonel" ironically after he failed an officer's exam during [[Conscription in the United Kingdom|National Service]]. Sangster had previously named Colonel Collins in his friend's honour.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/A+famous+win+and+a+famous+hangover%3B+Man+In+The+News%3A+Tony+Collins.-a060712890|title=A famous win and a famous hangover|author=David Ashworth|date=26 October 1998|work=Racing Post}}</ref> After the colt's second race, a share in his ownership was bought by [[John Magnier]].<ref name="sue"/> Commander Collins was sent into training with [[Peter Chapple-Hyam]] at Sangster's training establishment at [[Manton, Wiltshire|Manton]] in Wiltshire.


==Racing career==
==Racing career==
===1998: two-year-old season===
===1998: two-year-old season===
Commander Collins never contested a [[maiden race]], beginning his racing career in the Listed Superlative Stakes over seven [[furlongs]] at [[Newmarket Racecourse]] on 9 July in which he was ridden by [[John Reid (jockey)|John Reid]]. Despite his lack of prior experience he started [[Fractional odds|4/5]] favourite against five opponents headed by the [[Chesham Stakes]] winner Rhapsodist. After recovering from a poor start, he took the lead inside the final furlong and won by one and a quarter lengths from Rhapsodist with Dehoush in third ahead of [[Royal Rebel]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.racingpost.com/horses/result_home.sd?race_id=254064&r_date=1998-07-09&popup=yes#results_top_tabs=re_&results_bottom_tabs=ANALYSIS|title=Superlative Stakes result |date=9 July 1998|publisher=Racing Post}}</ref> The colt was highly regarded by his trainer and attracted support in the betting for the following year's [[2000 Guineas]] but was then kept of the course for several weeks with a respiratory infection.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Lavery+aiming+to+prove+his+worth%3B+CHAMPAGNE+STAKES%3A+Heinz+57+winner...-a060713910|title=Lavery aiming to prove his worth|author=Jon Lees|date=11 September 1998|publisher=Racing Post}}</ref> Jimmy Fortune took over the ride when the colt returned to contest the [[Group races|Group Two]] [[Champagne Stakes (Great Britain)|Champagne Stakes]] at [[Doncaster Racecourse]] on 11 September, and partnered him in most of his subsequent races. Starting at odds of 7/2, he tracked the leaders before staying on in the straight but failed by a head to overhaul the [[Barry Hills]]-trained Auction House.
Commander Collins never contested a [[maiden race]], beginning his racing career in the Listed Superlative Stakes over seven [[furlongs]] at [[Newmarket Racecourse]] on 9 July in which he was ridden by [[John Reid (jockey)|John Reid]]. Despite his lack of prior experience he started [[Fractional odds|4/5]] favourite against five opponents headed by the [[Chesham Stakes]] winner Rhapsodist. After recovering from a poor start, he took the lead inside the final furlong and won by one and a quarter lengths from Rhapsodist with Dehoush in third ahead of [[Royal Rebel]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/174/newmarket-july/1998-07-09/254064|title=Superlative Stakes result |publisher=Racing Post|date=9 July 1998}}</ref> The colt was highly regarded by his trainer and attracted support in the betting for the following year's [[2000 Guineas]] but was then kept of the course for several weeks with a respiratory infection.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Lavery+aiming+to+prove+his+worth%3B+CHAMPAGNE+STAKES%3A+Heinz+57+winner...-a060713910|title=Lavery aiming to prove his worth|author=Jon Lees|date=11 September 1998|work=Racing Post}}</ref> Jimmy Fortune took over the ride when the colt returned to contest the [[Group races|Group Two]] [[Champagne Stakes (Great Britain)|Champagne Stakes]] at [[Doncaster Racecourse]] on 11 September, and partnered him in most of his subsequent races. Starting at odds of 7/2, he tracked the leaders before staying on in the straight but failed by a head to overhaul the [[Barry Hills]]-trained Auction House.


Commander Collins returned to Doncaster on 24 October and was made the 2/1 favourite for the Group One Racing Post Trophy over one mile on [[Going (horse racing)|heavy ground]]. His five rivals were Tumbleweed Ridge (third in the Champagne Stakes), the maiden winners Timahs, Magno and Housemaster and the 20/1 outsider Stormy Skye. The favourite was restrained by Fortune at the rear of the field as Magno set the pace but began to make progress approaching the last quarter mile. He took the lead a furlong out and quickly went clear of his opponents to win easily by seven lengths from Magno.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.racingpost.com/horses/result_home.sd?race_id=254556&r_date=1998-10-24&popup=yes#results_top_tabs=re_&results_bottom_tabs=ANALYSIS|title=Racing Post Trophy result|date=24 October 1998|publisher=Racing Post}}</ref> After the race he was made favourite for the [[1999 Epsom Derby]]. Chapple-Hyam commented "It was a long, long way up the straight and I was worried about running him when I saw the state of the course. He is still green, still learning, and can only get better".<ref name="sue">{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing-collins-takes-command-1180562.html|title=Collins takes command|author=Sue Montgomery|date=24 October 1998|work=[[The Independent]]}}</ref>
Commander Collins returned to Doncaster on 24 October and was made the 2/1 favourite for the Group One Racing Post Trophy over one mile on [[Going (horse racing)|heavy ground]]. His five rivals were Tumbleweed Ridge (third in the Champagne Stakes), the maiden winners Timahs, Magno and Housemaster and the 20/1 outsider Stormy Skye. The favourite was restrained by Fortune at the rear of the field as Magno set the pace but began to make progress approaching the last quarter mile. He took the lead a furlong out and quickly went clear of his opponents to win easily by seven lengths from Magno.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/15/doncaster/1998-10-24/254556|title=Racing Post Trophy result|publisher=Racing Post|date=24 October 1998}}</ref> After the race he was made favourite for the [[1999 Epsom Derby]]. Chapple-Hyam commented "It was a long, long way up the straight and I was worried about running him when I saw the state of the course. He is still green, still learning, and can only get better".<ref name="sue">{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing-collins-takes-command-1180562.html|title=Collins takes command|author=Sue Montgomery|date=24 October 1998|work=[[The Independent]]}}</ref>


===1999: three-year-old season===
===1999: three-year-old season===
On his three year old debut Commander Collins started 8/1 fourth favourite for the [[2000 Guineas]] run that year on the July Course at Newmarket on 1 May. After tracking the leaders in the early stage he faded badly in the last quarter mile and finished eleventh of the sixteen runners behind [[Island Sands]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.racingpost.com/horses/result_home.sd?race_id=263151&r_date=1999-05-01&popup=yes#results_top_tabs=re_&results_bottom_tabs=ANALYSIS |title=2000 Guines result |publisher=Racing Post |date= |accessdate=2012-03-04}}</ref> Jimmy Fortune reported that the colt had been unsuited by the fast ground.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Commander+back+with+big+chance+to+show+authority%3B+By+VERITAS+Racing...-a061851831|title=Commander back with big chance to show authority|date=29 April 2000|author="Veritas"|publisher=[[Birmingham Post]]}}</ref> He was off the course for over three months before returning in the Group two [[Prix Guillaume d'Ornano]] at [[Deauville Racecourse]] on 14 August. Ridden by [[Gerald Mosse]] he never looked likely to win and finished fourth of five behind [[Val Royal]].
On his three-year-old debut Commander Collins started 8/1 fourth favourite for the [[2000 Guineas]] run that year on the July Course at Newmarket on 1 May. After tracking the leaders in the early stage he faded badly in the last quarter mile and finished eleventh of the sixteen runners behind [[Island Sands]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/174/newmarket-july/1999-05-01/263151 |title=2000 Guines result |date= |publisher=Racing Post |accessdate=2012-03-04}}</ref> Jimmy Fortune reported that the colt had been unsuited by the fast ground.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Commander+back+with+big+chance+to+show+authority%3B+By+VERITAS+Racing...-a061851831|title=Commander back with big chance to show authority|date=29 April 2000|author="Veritas"|work=[[Birmingham Post]]}}</ref> He was off the course for over three months before returning in the Group two [[Prix Guillaume d'Ornano]] at [[Deauville Racecourse]] on 14 August. Ridden by [[Gerald Mosse]] he never looked likely to win and finished fourth of five behind [[Val Royal]].


Later in August Robert Sangster dismissed Chapple-Hyam as the trainer at Manton and appointed [[John Gosden]] to replace him.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/RACING%3A+SANGSTER+SACKS+TRAINER%3B+Chapple-Hyam+out+as+Gosden+quits...-a060444118|title=Sangster sacks trainer|author=Charles Fawcus|date=29 August 1999|publisher=[[Daily Mirror]]}}</ref>
Later in August Robert Sangster dismissed Chapple-Hyam as the trainer at Manton and appointed [[John Gosden]] to replace him.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/RACING%3A+SANGSTER+SACKS+TRAINER%3B+Chapple-Hyam+out+as+Gosden+quits...-a060444118|title=Sangster sacks trainer|author=Charles Fawcus|date=29 August 1999|work=[[Daily Mirror]]}}</ref>


===2000: four-year-old season===
===2000: four-year-old season===
In four starts in Europe in 2000, Commander Collins ran consistently without winning. He finished fourth to Little Rock in the [[Gordon Richards Stakes]] in April and then returned after a lengthy absence to run third behind the same horse in the [[Princess of Wales's Stakes]] at Newmarket in July. In September he was sent to France where he finished third to Montjeu in the [[Prix Foy]] before returning to England to run fourth in the [[Cumberland Lodge Stakes]]. On his final racecourse appearance Commander Collins was sent to the United States for the [[Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Stakes|Turf Classic Invitational]] at [[Belmont Park]] on 7 October. Starting a 35/1 outsider he was in contention in the early stages but faded in the closing stages and finished eleventh behind the nine-year-old [[gelding]] John's Call.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.racingpost.com/horses/result_home.sd?race_id=292321&r_date=2000-10-07&popup=yes#results_top_tabs=re_&results_bottom_tabs=ANALYSIS|title=Turf Classic Invitational Stakes result |date=7 October 2000|publisher=Racing Post}}</ref>
In four starts in Europe in 2000, Commander Collins ran consistently without winning. He finished fourth to Little Rock in the [[Gordon Richards Stakes]] in April and then returned after a lengthy absence to run third behind the same horse in the [[Princess of Wales's Stakes]] at Newmarket in July. In September he was sent to France where he finished third to Montjeu in the [[Prix Foy]] before returning to England to run fourth in the [[Cumberland Lodge Stakes]]. On his final racecourse appearance Commander Collins was sent to the United States for the [[Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Stakes|Turf Classic Invitational]] at [[Belmont Park]] on 7 October. Starting a 35/1 outsider he was in contention in the early stages but faded in the closing stages and finished eleventh behind the nine-year-old [[gelding]] John's Call.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/results/258/belmont-park/2000-10-07/292321|title=Turf Classic Invitational Stakes result |publisher=Racing Post|date=7 October 2000}}</ref>


==Stud record==
==Stud record==
At the end of his racing career, Commander Collins was exported to become a breeding stallion in Japan where he sired only three winners in two seasons at stud.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jbis.jp/horse/0000369808/sire/generation/|title=Stallion Reports:Statistics - Commander Collins (IRE)|author=|publisher=Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association}}</ref> He returned to Ireland in and sired a few minor winners, mainly under [[National Hunt]] rules, with the last of his foals being born in 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bloodstock.racingpost.com/stallionbook/stallion.sd?popup=1&horse_id=485577|title=Commander Collins - Stud Record|publisher=Racing Post}}</ref>
At the end of his racing career, Commander Collins was exported to become a breeding stallion in Japan where he sired only three winners in two seasons at stud.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jbis.jp/horse/0000369808/sire/generation/|title=Stallion Reports:Statistics – Commander Collins (IRE)|author=|publisher=Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association}}</ref> He returned to Ireland in and sired a few minor winners, mainly under [[National Hunt]] rules, with the last of his foals being born in 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/485577/commander-collins|title=Commander Collins – Stud Record|publisher=Racing Post}}</ref>


==Pedigree==
==Pedigree==

Latest revision as of 09:20, 14 April 2022

Commander Collins
SireSadler's Wells
GrandsireNorthern Dancer
DamKanmary
DamsireKenmare
SexStallion
Foaled8 April 1996[1]
CountryIreland
ColourBay
BreederSwettenham Stud
OwnerRobert Sangster, Sue Magnier and Tony Collins
TrainerPeter Chapple-Hyam
John Gosden
Record10: 2-1-2
Earnings£151,099
Major wins
Superlative Stakes (1998)
Racing Post Trophy (1998)

Commander Collins (8 April 1996 – after 2004) was an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He showed great promise as a two-year-old in 1998, winning the Superlative Stakes on his racecourse debut, taking second in the Champagne Stakes and then recording a seven length victory in the Racing Post Trophy. He never won again although he was placed in the Princess of Wales's Stakes and the Prix Foy as a four-year-old. He made no impact as a breeding stallion in a brief stud career spent in Japan and Ireland.

Background

[edit]

Commander Collins was a bay horse with a narrow white blaze bred in Ireland by Robert Sangster's Swettenham Stud. He was from the eleventh crop of foals sired by Sadler's Wells, who won the Irish 2,000 Guineas, Eclipse Stakes and Irish Champion Stakes in 1984 went on to be the Champion sire on fourteen occasions.[2] Commander Collins' dam Kanmary was a high class racemare who won the Prix du Bois and was placed in several other major races.[3] She was even more successful as broodmare, producing Colonel Collins (third in the 1994 Epsom Derby), City Leader (Royal Lodge Stakes) and Lit de Justice.[4] Kanmary was descended from the French broodmare Theodora who was the female-line ancestor of Soviet Star and The Very One.[5]

During his racing career, Commander Collins was owned by Sangster in partnership with Tony Collins, after whom the colt was named. Collins was a former trainer best known for his involvement in the Gay Future affair and had acquired the nickname "The Colonel" ironically after he failed an officer's exam during National Service. Sangster had previously named Colonel Collins in his friend's honour.[6] After the colt's second race, a share in his ownership was bought by John Magnier.[7] Commander Collins was sent into training with Peter Chapple-Hyam at Sangster's training establishment at Manton in Wiltshire.

Racing career

[edit]

1998: two-year-old season

[edit]

Commander Collins never contested a maiden race, beginning his racing career in the Listed Superlative Stakes over seven furlongs at Newmarket Racecourse on 9 July in which he was ridden by John Reid. Despite his lack of prior experience he started 4/5 favourite against five opponents headed by the Chesham Stakes winner Rhapsodist. After recovering from a poor start, he took the lead inside the final furlong and won by one and a quarter lengths from Rhapsodist with Dehoush in third ahead of Royal Rebel.[8] The colt was highly regarded by his trainer and attracted support in the betting for the following year's 2000 Guineas but was then kept of the course for several weeks with a respiratory infection.[9] Jimmy Fortune took over the ride when the colt returned to contest the Group Two Champagne Stakes at Doncaster Racecourse on 11 September, and partnered him in most of his subsequent races. Starting at odds of 7/2, he tracked the leaders before staying on in the straight but failed by a head to overhaul the Barry Hills-trained Auction House.

Commander Collins returned to Doncaster on 24 October and was made the 2/1 favourite for the Group One Racing Post Trophy over one mile on heavy ground. His five rivals were Tumbleweed Ridge (third in the Champagne Stakes), the maiden winners Timahs, Magno and Housemaster and the 20/1 outsider Stormy Skye. The favourite was restrained by Fortune at the rear of the field as Magno set the pace but began to make progress approaching the last quarter mile. He took the lead a furlong out and quickly went clear of his opponents to win easily by seven lengths from Magno.[10] After the race he was made favourite for the 1999 Epsom Derby. Chapple-Hyam commented "It was a long, long way up the straight and I was worried about running him when I saw the state of the course. He is still green, still learning, and can only get better".[7]

1999: three-year-old season

[edit]

On his three-year-old debut Commander Collins started 8/1 fourth favourite for the 2000 Guineas run that year on the July Course at Newmarket on 1 May. After tracking the leaders in the early stage he faded badly in the last quarter mile and finished eleventh of the sixteen runners behind Island Sands.[11] Jimmy Fortune reported that the colt had been unsuited by the fast ground.[12] He was off the course for over three months before returning in the Group two Prix Guillaume d'Ornano at Deauville Racecourse on 14 August. Ridden by Gerald Mosse he never looked likely to win and finished fourth of five behind Val Royal.

Later in August Robert Sangster dismissed Chapple-Hyam as the trainer at Manton and appointed John Gosden to replace him.[13]

2000: four-year-old season

[edit]

In four starts in Europe in 2000, Commander Collins ran consistently without winning. He finished fourth to Little Rock in the Gordon Richards Stakes in April and then returned after a lengthy absence to run third behind the same horse in the Princess of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket in July. In September he was sent to France where he finished third to Montjeu in the Prix Foy before returning to England to run fourth in the Cumberland Lodge Stakes. On his final racecourse appearance Commander Collins was sent to the United States for the Turf Classic Invitational at Belmont Park on 7 October. Starting a 35/1 outsider he was in contention in the early stages but faded in the closing stages and finished eleventh behind the nine-year-old gelding John's Call.[14]

Stud record

[edit]

At the end of his racing career, Commander Collins was exported to become a breeding stallion in Japan where he sired only three winners in two seasons at stud.[15] He returned to Ireland in and sired a few minor winners, mainly under National Hunt rules, with the last of his foals being born in 2005.[16]

Pedigree

[edit]
Pedigree of Commander Collins (IRE), bay stallion, 1996[1]
Sire
Sadler's Wells (USA)
1981 		Northern Dancer (CAN)
1961 		Nearctic Nearco
Lady Angela
Natalma Native Dancer
Almahmoud
Fairy Bridge (USA)
1975　 		Bold Reason Hail To Reason
Lalun
Special Forli
Thong
Dam
Kanmary (FR)
1983 		Kenmare (FR)
1975　 		Kalamoun Zeddaan
Khairunissa
Belle of Ireland Milesian
Belle of the Ball
Djallybrook (FR)
1975 		Djakao Tanerko
Diagonale
Hollybrook Klairon
La Vagabonde (Family: 9-f)[5]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Commander Collins pedigree". Equineline. 8 May 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  2. ^ "Leading Sires of Great Britain and Ireland". Tbheritage.com. Retrieved 9 May 2012.
  3. ^ Timeform staff (1987). Racehorses of 1986. Timeform. ISBN 0-900599-44-8.
  4. ^ Blood-Horse Staff (1 August 2012). "Sprint Champion Lit de Justice Dies". The Blood-Horse.
  5. ^ a b "Toxophilite Mare – Family 9-f". Thoroughbred Bloodlines.
  6. ^ David Ashworth (26 October 1998). "A famous win and a famous hangover". Racing Post.
  7. ^ a b Sue Montgomery (24 October 1998). "Collins takes command". The Independent.
  8. ^ "Superlative Stakes result". Racing Post. 9 July 1998.
  9. ^ Jon Lees (11 September 1998). "Lavery aiming to prove his worth". Racing Post.
  10. ^ "Racing Post Trophy result". Racing Post. 24 October 1998.
  11. ^ "2000 Guines result". Racing Post. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
  12. ^ "Veritas" (29 April 2000). "Commander back with big chance to show authority". Birmingham Post.
  13. ^ Charles Fawcus (29 August 1999). "Sangster sacks trainer". Daily Mirror.
  14. ^ "Turf Classic Invitational Stakes result". Racing Post. 7 October 2000.
  15. ^ "Stallion Reports:Statistics – Commander Collins (IRE)". Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association.
  16. ^ "Commander Collins – Stud Record". Racing Post.
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