Popular Darley stallion Commands has died suddenly at the age of 17 at Kelvinside Stud in NSW.

A son of Danehill, Commands was a Group Three winner and dual Group One placegetter who made his mark as a stallion.

Among his progeny is the recently retired Appearance, a four-time Group One winner who will be served by Darley stallion Street Cry this spring.

Commands was among the stallions Sheikh Mohammed acquired when he bought the Woodlands operation from Bob Ingham.

He is one of only two stallions in Australia to have sired 10 or more stakes winners in each of the past four racing seasons, the other being his Caulfield Guineas conqueror Redoute's Choice.

"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 One 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 One winning sons in Epaulette and Skilled standing on our roster this year."

Commands shuttled to both France and Japan throughout his career and is the sire of 1452 foals, with another 160 mares covered last season.

His progeny have so far earned almost $84 million prize money.