Pathfork (Distorted Humor – Visions of Clarity)
Every year a bunch of new stallions goes to stud. High hopes and expectations all round. Every year the Breeder’s Handbook evaluates their pedigrees and makes a prediction about what mares might suit them well. That gives perspective.
The Class of 2012 included champion Irish 2yo Pathfork. Breeder’s Handbook evaluated his pedigree in detail, and accompanied it with its concise Pick Of The Bunch. This suggested that suitable lines for Pathfork could include
1. Best In Show female line descendants, notably Northern Guest, Try My Best (Last Tycoon, Bel Byou), Modus Vivendi, Labeeb;
2. La Troienne female line descendants, notably Buckpasser (Northern Guest, Al Mufti, National Assembly, etc.);
3. Dalmary female line descendants incl Sadler’s Wells, Nureyev, Fairy King, Golden Thatch, Thatch;
4. Lalun female line descendants Bold Reason (Sadler’s Wells) and Never Bend (Mill Reef, Riverman, etc);
5. Trippi; and
6. Rose Leaves (dam of Bull Lea) female line descendants (Diorissimo, Scented Royal, Sleek Gold, Noble Ambition, etc).
The Handbook’s call was heeded by Highlands, where Pathfork stands.
They sent the mare Scarlet Sky, a daughter of Fort Wood (Sadler’s Wells) and Fading Light. The latter is by Bel Byou, sired by Try My Best (the full brother to Northern Guest) out of a mare by Thatch. Four of the six Pick’s covered! The resulting colt, inbred 3×3 to Sadler’s Wells, sold as a yearling at the KZN Million Yearling Sales for R250k. Named Red Chestnut Road, he made his debut late in March over 1200m at Scottsville, winning by over seven lengths in good time, unextended. The strength of opposition was hard to gauge at the time, but Red Chestnut Road looks to have a bright future.
What of Pathfork’s offerings at Nationals? There are nine catalogued.
#24 colt out of a mare by National Assembly (dam by Buckpasser), the next dam by Roy (dam is by Never Bend). Highlands
#61 colt out US-bred mare whose dam is by Fred Astaire (inbred to Bull Lea) out of a mare by Coastal (dam by Buckpasser). Highlands
#76 colt out of mare by Fort Wood (Sadler’s Wells), third dam by Secret Prospector (double La Troienne). Nutfield Stud
#89 filly out of mare by Parade Leader (sire Kingmambo is out of Miesque, by Nureyev). Riverton Stud
#132 filly out of mare by Fort Wood (Sadler’s Wells). Highlands
#133 filly out of mare by Fort Wood (Sadler’s Wells), next dam by Al Mufti (dam by Buckpasser). Ascot Stud
#169 colt out of a mare by National Assembly (dam by Buckpasser). Klipdrif Stud
#326 filly out of mare by Joshua Dancer. Cheveley Stud – WITHDRAWN
#344 filly out of mare by National Emblem (by National Assembly), grandam by son of Alydar (dam 3×3 Bull Lea). Mauritzfontein
Conventional wisdom says: ‘When you come to a fork in the path, take it’. That looks like good thinking.
