Sandown Stud’s successful resident sire Pathfork had a memorable day at Turffontein on Saturday. Not only did Pathfork’s top-class son Main Defender win Saturday’s G2 TAB Hawaii Stakes, but the Pathfork sired champion Royal Victory finished a close second in Saturday’s G1 HKJC World Pool Premier’s Champions Challenge (2000m). Pathfork is also the sire of G3 Allied Steelrode Yellowwood Handicap queen Olivia’s Way, who finished fourth in Saturday’s G1 TAB SA Derby.
Trained by Tony Peter, the four-year-old Main Defender showed plenty of courage in landing Saturday’s R500 000 contest. Under Gavin Lerena, Main Defender raced midfield early on before launching his bid 400m from home. From there, Main Defender kept finding to hold off recent G1 Wilgerbosdrift HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes winner Cosmic Speed and win by half a length.
Declared a non-runner last time out, Main Defender has won 10 of 18 starts, with his win on Saturday the fifth graded victory of his career.
Bred by Jagessar Ltd, Main Defender is out of the Judpot mare, Alessia. The gelding was a R140 000 purchase from the 2022 Cape Yearling Sale, and Saturday’s win pushed his earnings to R2 965 875.
Pathfork is a son of the outstanding stallion Distorted Humor, who himself had a big day on Saturday. Pathfork mare Virginia Key is the dam of Saturday’s G1 Curlin Florida Derby presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa winner Tappan Street, while another Distorted Humor mare, Distorted Music, is responsible for Saturday’s G1 Arkansas Derby winner Sandman.