Pathfork (USA)
Fee: R5,000 + VAT, Live Foal
Pathfork’s History
Overview
He is by champion US sire Distorted Humor, whose sons have won all three legs of the US Triple Crown.
To date, Distorted Humor has been responsible for more than 150 stakes winners and more G1 winners than all but two active North American stallions.
Out of a stakes-winning daughter of Sadler’s Wells, Pathfork is a half-brother to two stakes winners notably the Claiborne-based G1 Preakness Stakes winner War Of Will, who stood his first season in 2021.
Pathfork hails from the same family as leading sires El Gran Senor, Northern Guest, Redoute’s Choice and Try My Best.
Pathfork, who consistently has a high winners to runners percentage and AEPR on the General Sires list each season, has been responsible for more than 25 black type horses including G1 winning two-year-old Mighty High, and exciting G1 winning sprinter Pearl Of Asia.
Pathfork is owned by a syndicate.
Pathfork’s Blood-Line
Pedigree Summary
This is a major sire-producing female line, originating with Pathfork’s fifth dam Best In Show. Her daughter Sex Appeal is dam of El Gran Senor, Try My Best, Northern Guest (all by Northern Dancer).
Another daughter Show Lady is 3rd dam of Redoute’s Choice (Danehill). Another daughter Monroe got Xaar and Modus Vivendi (both Zafonic). Then there’s Blush With Pride, grandam of US Classic winners Jazil (Seeking The Gold) and Rags To Riches (A.P. Indy). And then Pathfork’s dam, who is 3-part sister to Gr1 producing sire Spinning World (by Nureyev).
Pathfork’s dam Visions Of Clarity is inbred 3×3 to half brothers Bold Reason and Never Bend (together in Sadler’s Wells successful cross with Mill Reef/Shirley Heights).
The grandam of Pathfork’s sire Distorted Humor, Sweetest Chant, is very close kin to Bold Reason and Never Bend. A large proportion of Distorted Humor’s G1 winners have Sadler’s Wells (as sire of dam, grandam, or damsire). Sadler’s Wells’ line of Bold Reason appears significant in his best offspring.
Lalun, the dam of Bold Reason and Never Bend, is a noted La Troienne carrier. La Troienne is invariably present in multiples in Distorted Humor’s best offspring.
history
RACE RECORD
| Age | Runs | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 3 | 3 | – | – | €186,693 |
| 3 | 1 | – | – | – | 0 |
| 4 | 2 | – | – | – | €260 |
| Totals: | 6 | 3 | – | – | €186,953 |
| At 2 : | Curragh National S., Gr.1 (7f beating Casamento and Zoffany), Futurity S., Gr.2 (7f beating Glor Na Mara and Samuel Morse), L Behan 2YO Maiden S. (7f) |
Champion 2YO Colt in Ireland in 2010.
Annual Timeform Rating: 119p (at 2).
history
PEDIGREE
| Distorted Humor 1993 |
Forty Niner 1985 |
Mr Prospector | Raise A Native – Native Dancer |
| Gold Digger – Nashua | |||
| File | Tom Rolfe – Ribot | ||
| Continue – Double Jay | |||
| Danzig’s Beauty 1987 |
Danzig | Northern Dancer – Nearctic | |
| Pas de Nom – Admirals Voyage | |||
| Sweetest Chant | Mr. Leader – Hail To Reason | ||
| Gay Sonnet – Sailor | |||
| Visions Of Clarity 2000 |
Sadler’s Wells 1981 |
Northern Dancer | Nearctic – Nearco |
| Natalma – Native Dancer | |||
| Fairy Bridge | Bold Reason – Hail To Reason | ||
| Special – Forli | |||
| Imperfect Circle 1988 |
Riverman | Never Bend – Nasrullah | |
| River Lady – Prince John | |||
| Aviance | Northfields – Northern Dancer | ||
| Minnie Hauk – Sir Ivor |
SIRE LINE
DISTORTED HUMOR – multiple G2 & G3 winner in USA, G1 placed, to 1800m (rated 117); sire of G1 winners of both sexes; Champion Freshman Sire USA; Champion Sire USA (twice); #2 NA Sire by lifetime % of BTW (2017); Leading Broodmare Sire (5 consecutive years); Sire-of-sires;
Notable progeny incl Funny Cide (02c – Slewacide, Little Current); Drosselmeyer (07c – Moscow Ballet, Slew O’Gold); Flower Alley (02c – Lycius, Sadler’s Wells; sire); Hystericalady (03f – Northair, El Oriental); Commentator (01c – Storm Bird, Woodman); Regal Ransom (06c – Red Ransom, Deputy Minister); A Shin Cool D (06f – Storm Cat, Caro); Boisterous (07c – Cox’s Ridge, Majestic Light); Ironicus (11c – AP Indy, Spectacular Bid); Any Given Saturday (04c – A.P. Indy, Spectacular Bid; sire); Awesome Humor (00f – Pass The Tab, Cox’s Ridge); Pathfork (08c – Sadler’s Wells, Riverman; sire); Aesop Fables (09c – Sadler’s Wells, Blushing Groom); Jimmy Creed (09c) – Citidancer, Allen’s Prospect); Fourty Niners Son (01c – Alleged, Conquistador Cielo); Bit Of Whimsy (04f – El Prado, Pia Star); Sharp Humor (03c – Hansel, Believe It; sire); Alternation (08c – Seattle Slew, Green Dancer); Distorted Legacy (07f – Private Account, Hoist The Flag); Shumoos (09f – Storm Cat, Cryptoclearance); Hello Pretty (01c – Blazing Sword, Raami); Justenuffhumor (05c – Broad Brush, Lear Fan); Slow Pace (08c – Seattle Slew, El Gran Senor); Do It All (07c – Dynaformer, Caerleon); Quip (15c – Indian Charllie, Boston Harbor); Restless Rider (16f – Unbridled’s Song, Deputy Minister); Honorable Duty (12c – AP Indy, El Gran Senor); Varda (18f – Sky Mesa, Cure The Blues); etc.
KIN-BREEDING: Distorted Humor is kinbred bottom female-line 4×4 Courtesy x Gay Rig, involving duplications of mares Mumtaz Begum, Selene (Canterbuty Pilgrim), Maid Of The Mist. Conventional wisdom has it that Distorted Humor’s best offspring have La Troienne in the female line (Distorted Humor himself is free of La Troienne).
FORTY NINER lines sires in South Africa: Flower Alley, Pathfork (Distorted Humor), Trippi(End Sweep), Gold Standard (Trippi)
Suitable Lines
Suitable Lines for Pathfork should include those from his own female line, pointing in the South African context especially at champion broodmare sire Northern Guest, and by extension female lines which have produced big winners by Northern Guest.
The La Troienne angle should remain of interest, notably through Buckpasser, who is well represented in the SA mare population – notably through Al Mufti & sons, Northern Guest, National Assembly, etc. Background elements of Bull Lea (Bull Page; Nijinsky, Real Delight) should further enhance this mix.
Inbreeding to Sadler’s Wells (Fort Wood) must be an option, as is adding members of the same female line, notably Nureyev and Golden Thatch. Sadler’s Wells damsire Bold Reason leads to Mill Reef, Shirley Heights, Riverman. Sir Ivor belongs in the same camp.
The close resemblance of performance at stud of Distorted Humor and Trippi makes the latter’s daughters interesting options for Pathfork.
Progeny Summary
PATHFORK Champion 2YO Colt in Ireland in 2010. 3 wins at 2, €186,693, US$350, Curragh National S., Gr.1, Futurity S., Gr.2, L Behan 2YO S.. He entered stud in South Af in 2012. Sire of 304 progeny to race, 208 winners (68.0%), earnings of over $5.6 million, 17 stakes winners, 16 stakes placegetters, inc.
ROYAL VICTORY (19c, Kahal, Coastal). 5 wins-1 at 2-from 1400m to 2000m to 2023-24, R5,330,250, Turffontein Summer Cup, Gr.1, Champions Challenge, Gr.1, Tony Ruffel S., Gr.3, Greyville Michaelmas H., 2d Greyville Premiers Champion S., Gr.1, Turffontein Gauteng Guineas S., Gr.2, Greyville Golden Horseshoe S., Gr.2, 3d Greyville Durban July, Gr.1, Turffontein Graham Beck S., Gr.3, Scottsville Fever Tree S., Tabgold Account S., 4th Turffontein Dingaans H., Gr.2.
MAIN DEFENDER (20g, Judpot, Caesour). 7 wins-3 at 2-from 1100m to 1600m to 2023-24, R2,259,375, Turffontein Horse Chestnut S., Gr.1, Johannesburg Spring Challenge, Gr.2, Graham Beck S., Gr.3, Got the Greenlight S., Gr.3, Greyville Bloodstock SA Sales Cup, Turffontein Winter Juvenile S., 2d Greyville Champion S., Gr.1, 3d Turffontein Betway S.
MIGHTY HIGH (15f, Shamardal, Nijinsky). 5 wins-2 at 2-to 1200m, R1,040,763, Scottsville Allan Robertson Championship, Gr.1, Turffontein Senor Santa S., Gr.2, All to Come Assessment P., Tab Telebet P., 2d Turffontein Camellia S., Gr.2, Swallow S., L, Polydex Storage Systems S., Betting World Assessment P.
PEARL OF ASIA (16c, Tiger Ridge, Jallad). 6 wins-1 at 2-at 1200m, 1400m, R660,375, Greyville Mercury Sprint, Gr.1, Scottsville Marula Sprint, Greyville Namchunder Family H.
BINGWA (17c, Century Stand, Safawan). 7 wins at 1600m, 1800m to 2023-24, R1,673,475, Turffontein Charity Mile, Gr.2-twice, Keith Basell S., 2d Turffontein Johannesburg Spring Challenge, Gr.2, Highveldracing.co.za S., 3d Turffontein Johannesburg Spring Challenge, Gr.2, Dingaans H., Gr.2, Jubilee H., Gr.3, 4th Turffontein Hawaii S., Gr.2.
MARCHINGONTOGETHER (15c, Montjeu, Darshaan). 10 wins-2 at 2-from 1400m to 3200m to 2022-23, R1,224,775, Greyville Lonsdale Stirrup Cup, Gr.3, Scottsville Track & Ball Derby, Gr.3, Turffontein Racing Association H., L, Scottsville Umthombothi S., SA Home Loans S., AG Hall Juvenile P., Turffontein Gautengsummercup.co.za S., All to Come H., 2d Turffontein Racing Association H., L, Vaal Racing for You S., Greyville Play Soccer S., Youtube Channel Playlist H., 3d Turffontein South African Derby, Gr.1, Aquanaut H., L, Java H., L, Scottsville Michael Roberts H., L, Umthombothi S., Turffontein Feature Race S., Guineas Day in February S., Furious Room S., 4th Greyville Michaelmas H., L, Turffontein Sea Cottage S., L.
MR FLOOD (15c, Jallad, Russian Fox). 8 wins-1 at 2-at 1000m, 1200m, R778,450, Turffontein Lebelo Sprint, Gr.3, Tommy Hotspur H., Gr.3, Vaal Play Soccer S., Book for SA Classic S., Book for the Grand Heritage P., Next Race Meeting is Thursday P., 2d Turffontein Senor Santa S., Gr.2, Spring Spree S., L, 4th Turffontein Computaform Sprint, Gr.1.
JET START (14f, Jet Master, Maroof). 9 wins-1 at 2-from 1400m to 2000m, R754,175, Turffontein London News S., Gr.3, Interbet.co.za S., Gauteng Guineas Day in February H., Book for Champions Day in May H., Flamingo Mile in August H., 3d Turffontein Jacaranda H., L, Vaal Gauteng Guineas in February H., Tab Telebet H., Tabonline.co.za H., Turffontein International Jockey’s Challenge H.
MY FRIEND LEE (13f, West Man, Northern Jove). 6 wins to 1400m, R558,875, Turffontein Magnolia H., Gr.3, Vaal Heritage 1200, 2d Vaal Soccer 13 Xtra H., 3d Turffontein Genasys Technologies H., Guineas Day in March H.
RED CHESNUT ROAD (13c, Fort Wood, Bel Byou). 3 wins-2 at 2-at 1100m, 1200m, R425,562, Scottsville Godolphin Barb S., Gr.3, Greyville Itsarush.co.za Progress P., 2d Scottsville Michael Roberts H., L, Greyville Rotary Club of Durban Clairwood Park S., Soccer 6 Progress P., Racing It’s a Rush Progress P., 3d Greyville Mobile Betting Visit Trackandball.co.za S., 4th Greyville Kings Cup, Gr.3, Turffontein Man o’ War Sprint, Gr.3.
MADAME SPEAKER (15f, National Assembly, Rakeen). 10 wins-4 at 2-from 1200m to 1600m, R904,184, Fairview Champion Juvenile Cup, L, East Cape Nursery, L, Lady’s Slipper S., L, East Cape Poly Challenge Fairview 1400, 2d Fairview East Cape Paddock S., L-twice, Breeders Guineas, L, East Cape Fillies Nursery, L, Dahlia P., L, Lady’s Bracelet, L-twice, Aloe H., 3d Fairview Racing Association S., L, East Cape Guineas, L.
AND WE DANCED (18f, Commands, Citidancer). 9 wins from 1400m to 1600m to 2023-24, R712,638, Fairview Lady’s Bracelet, L, East Cape Paddock S., L, Tab4racing App S., 2d Greyville Box Seat Podcast H., 3d Fairview Lady’s Bracelet, L, Nelson Mandela Bay Racing Poly Challenge 1400.
FOOLS GOLD (16c, Goldmark, Wardlaw). Joint Champion 3YO Male in Mauritius in 2020.5 wins-1 at 2-from 1400m to 1650m, R376,793, 460,200Rup, Greyville KZN Guineas Trial, L, Champ de Mars Colonel Draper Cup.
JIMMY DON (19c, Joshua Dancer, Russian Fox). 3 wins-1 at 2-to 1450m to 2022-23, R595,125, Turffontein Secretariat S., L, Vaal Play Soccer H., 2d Turffontein South African Classic, Gr.1, 3d Greyville Byerley Turk S., Gr.3, 4th Turffontein Gauteng Guineas S., Gr.2.
CHOLLIMA (18c, Silvano, Mr. Greeley). 3 wins-2 at 2-from 1200m to 2400m, R467,450, Fairview East Cape Derby, L, 2d Fairview Racing Association S., L, 3d Kenilworth Variety Club Mile S., Gr.3, 4th Greyville Campanajo 2200 S., Gr.3.
MISS HONEY (16f, Fort Wood, Smart Strike). 2 wins at 2, R174,050, Kenilworth Summer Juvenile S., L.
PRECIOUS PANSY (14f, Point Given, A.P. Indy). Winner at 2, Fairview East Cape Fillies Nursery, L, 3d Fairview Lady’s Slipper S., L.
Look for Hounds (17c, Kahal, Northern Guest). 6 wins to 1400m to 2023-24, R517,050, Durbanville Centenary Club S., Scottsville Goldcircle.co.za S., 2d Fairview Racing Association S., L, Kenilworth World Pool S., 3d Durbanville Matchem S., Gr.3, Kenilworth Centenary Syndicate S., Bet With Tab H.
Desolate Road (15c, Black Minnaloushe, Rakeen). 5 wins-1 at 2-to 1400m, R586,860, Greyville Gold Circle on Facebook P., Gold Circle Racing Youtube Channel P., 2d Greyville Umkhomazi S., Gr.3, Arts & Pleasure S., Track & Ball Gaming P., Bright Future H., Soccer App H., Newturf.co.za H.
Priceless Ruler (15c, National Assembly, Averof). 8 wins-1 at 2-from 1200m to 1600m to 2022-23, R580,300, Greyville Hollywoodbets Greyville Bright Future H., Eduwatch H., Trackandball.co.za H., Kenilworth Betting World S., 3d Greyville Thukela H., L, Kenilworth Cape Mile, Scottsville Dormehl Phalane Property Group H., Kenilworth Tab Telebet H., 4th Greyville Drill Hall S., Gr.2.
Gladstone (16g, Royal Academy, Green Desert). 6 wins from 1100m to 1700m, R150,273, 2d Borrowdale Gold Cup Sprint, L.
First Street (16f, Dynasty, Sportsworld). 6 wins at 1600m, 2000m to 2022-23, R373,987, Fairview Tab4racing.co.za S., 2d Fairview Jockey Club S., L-twice, 3d Fairview Walmer H., 4th Fairview Memorial Mile, L, Jockey Club S., L.
Superior Force (19c, Elliodor, Golden Thatch). 4 wins-1 at 2-from 1000m to 1600m to 2023, 2d Greyville Gatecrasher S., L, Scottsville Tabgold.co.za Juvenile P.
Step Lively (16f, Act One, Damister). 4 wins at 1200m, 1400m, R178,675, 3d Fairview East Cape Paddock S., L.
Queen of Alamo (14f, Parade Leader, Priceless Asset). 4 wins-1 at 2-at 1000m, R407,800, Greyville Saddlers Arms H., Meryl Pieterse H., 2d Greyville Delpech Family Race H., Precision Engraving H., Scottsville White Horse Function Room H., Natal Associated Agencies H., 3d Greyville Kwazulu-Natal S., L, Track & Ball Fixed Odds H., Kevin Maroney 30 Years Service H.
Turbo (13c, Jet Master, West Man). 4 wins-1 at 2-at 1000m, 1200m, R244,200, 2d Fairview Dahlia P., L, 3d Fairview East Cape Poly Challenge.
Pot Sox (18f, Point Given, A.P. Indy). 3 wins-2 at 2-at 1200m, 3d Fairview Dahlia P., L.
Look to the Sky (16c, Jallad, West Man). 3 wins-1 at 2-at 1000m, R238,000, Vaal Betting World P., Family Fun Day Saturday P., 3d Turffontein Storm Bird S., L, World Sports Betting 1000, Vaal Full Dividend No Limits Assessment P.
Viking Trail (15c, Fort Wood, Northern Guest). Joint Champion 3YO Colt in Mauritius in 2019.3 wins at 1400m, 1450m, R465,509, 99,000Rup, 2d Turffontein Secretariat S., L, Vaal Full Dividend No Limits Assessment P.
Harlan County (14g, Al Mufti, Free State). 3 wins from 1400m to 1600m, R291,939, Greyville Gold Circle Racing You Tube Channel Playlist H., 2d Turffontein Secretariat S., L.
Videos
G1 Summer Cup – Royal Victory
G1 Champions Challenge – Royal Victory
G1 Horse Chestnut Stakes – Main Defender
G1 Mercury Sprint (1200m) – Pearl Of Asia
G1 Allan Robertson Championship (1200m) – Mighty High
G3 Lebel Sprint (1000m) – Mr Flood
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Images taken by Romi Bettison Photography
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