Dust Commander

Dust Commander re-interred at Derby Museum
Dust Commander, the 1970 Kentucky Derby winner who died nearly 22 years ago, was re-interred at the Derby Museum's garden in a Monday morning ceremony.
His Derby-winning connections -- trainer Don Combs, jockey Mike Manganello and owner Verna Lehmann -- were in attendance as the son of Bold Commander was given a fitting tribute in his new resting place.

Dust Commander's remains had been buried in an unmarked location on a Paris, Kentucky, farm that later changed ownership and the property was divided. For many years, the Lehmann family has been searching for Dust Commander's burial site.

Hardy Dungan, the husband of Verna Lehmann's granddaughter, is a local veterinarian and forensic scientist who has been assisting Lehmann in her quest. Dr. Hardy and Cristal Dungan are the co-founders of the newly-organized Thoroughbred Breeders Museum, Inc. (TBM) in Paris, Kentucky.

The Kentucky Derby Museum and the Thoroughbred Breeders Museum, in a joint collaborative effort, located Dust Commander's grave. The family uncovered his remains on Friday at Woodline Farm.

Both museums worked with Sparks Enterprise landscaping to exhume and transport his remains. The skeleton of Dust Commander was placed in a handcrafted box and brought to the Kentucky Derby Museum.

"Myself and the entire Lehmann family are sincerely grateful to all those involved in locating the lost remains of Dust Commander," Lehmann said.


"It gives all of us and all of the fans who loved this horse, final closure and peace, knowing that his final resting place will be at the Derby Museum."

Dust Commander was re-interred next to four other Derby winners honored on the Museum's property: Carry Back (1961), Swaps (1955), Brokers Tip (1933) and Sunny's Halo (1983).

"Dust Commander's Kentucky Derby victory will now be celebrated with daily visits through the Museum's garden area as our guests visit the gravesites of these tremendous athletes," said Lynn Ashton, the Museum's executive director.

The replay of his 1970 Run for the Roses is available on KentuckyDerby.com, along with a link to the Derby chart. Derbymuseum.org features the race replay as well as a slideshow of the uncovering of his remains.

Dust Commander, who also captured the 1970 Blue Grass Stakes, went on to place in the Monmouth Invitational, Fayette and Clark Handicaps.

After being retired, Dust Commander stood at stud at Golden Chance Farm, owned by Robert Lehmann. He later stood at stud in Japan, at Gainesway Farm and finally at Springland Farm where he died on October 7, 1991.

Dust Commander's most notable progeny include the 1975 Preakness winner Master Derby; Japanese classic hero Azuma Hunter, winner of the 1982 Satsuki Sho (Japanese Two Thousand Guineas); and Grade 1 winner Run Dusty Run, who placed behind Seattle Slew in all three jewels of the 1977 Triple Crown.


Dust Commander's remains, which had been located in an unmarked grave, were given a more fitting resting place (Courtesy of John Asher via Twitter)

Brisnet