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 3x3 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.

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.

Suitable Lines

Suitable lines for Pathfork could include

• Best In Show female line descendants, notably Northern Guest, Try My Best (Last Tycoon, Bel Byou), El Gran Senor, Modus Vivendi, Atso; Labeeb (kin-linked to this female line)
• La Troienne female line descendants, notably Buckpasser (Northern Guest, Al Mufti, National Assembly, etc – widespread)
• Dalmary female line descendants, incl Sadler’s Wells, Nureyev, Fairy King, Golden Thatch, etc
• Lalun female line descendants Bold Reason and Never Bend (Mill Reef, Shirley Heights; Riverman, Irish River; etc), and Lalun’s kin-linked Mr Leader
• Trippi, notably in combination with any of the above
• Rose Leaves (full sister to Bull Lea) female line descendants (Native Chapeau, Diorissimo, Scented Royal; Sleek Gold; Noble Ambition), notably in combination with any of the above

(posted 2012)