Graded stakes winner Master Command, who was standing his third year at stud at the Taylor family’s Taylor Made Stallions near Nicholasville, Ky., was euthanized April 13 following an injury sustained after rearing and losing his balance prior to an afternoon breeding session the day before. He was taken to Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital near Lexington after the injury, but his condition did not improve.
“It’s tough to lose any horse, but it’s particularly tough to lose a young stallion like Master Command, who had so much potential,” said Ben Taylor, Taylor Made vice president. “This is a big loss for the breeders, shareholders, the farm and everyone involved.”
An 8-year-old son of A.P. Indy, Master Command covered 127 mares in 2008 and 134 mares in 2009. His 2010 fee was $12,500.
“Master Command was tremendously popular,” said Taylor. “We’ve seen nothing but great things from his first crop of yearlings, and we’re looking forward to them selling this year.”
Master Command, who raced for Aaron and Marie Jones and was trained by Todd Pletcher, won eight races and placed in four others from 17 starts and earned $1,137,188. Five of his wins came in stakes. His 114 Beyer Speed Figure in winning the 2006 Meadowlands Breeders’ Cup Stakes (gr. II) was one of the highest of the year.
Master Command captured the 2006 William Donald Schaefer Handicap (gr. III) over champion Funny Cide, who ran third. In 2007, Master Command started the year with a score in the Mineshaft Handicap (gr. III) by six lengths, and then took the New Orleans (gr. II) and National Jockey Club (gr. III) Handicaps in his next two starts.
Bred in Pennsylvania by Elizabeth Moran’s Brushwood Stable, Master Command was bought for $650,000 by Buzz Chace, agent, from Eaton Sales, agent, at the 2003 Saratoga yearling sale.
A half-brother to Canadian graded winner Aurora Lights, Master Command was produced from the winning Lord At War mare Lady Lochinvar, a full or half-sister to five stakes winners, including grade I winners Al Mamoon and La Gueriere. Second dam Lady Winborne, a half-sister to European great Allez France, was Irish group-placed.
