Eightfold Path Half-Brother Places In Irish Listed Race
The Galileo juvenile half-brother to Scott Bros’ French Gr3 winner Eightfold Path, named Diodorus, ran a vastly improved race yesterday over the Leopardstown 1800m trip with blinkers on for the first time, to run on strongly and finish second behind Godolphin’s Dubai Sand.
In the process the Aiden O’ Brien colt turned the tables on horses that had beaten him last time, and looks as if he will stay the Derby trip next year for which he has an entry.
Diodorus caught the eye flashing home for second but left it too late and could only reduce the deficit to half a length at the line. Out of five time Gr1 winner Divine Proportions by Kingmambo, he is owned by Flaxman Stables Ireland Ltd, Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith. He is knocking closely on the door for a win, with four starts and three places, two of those in second.
Eightfold Path is the only son of Giant’s Causeway at stud in South Africa. Giant’s Causeway’s sons at stud are making significant contributions internationally, with Shamardal flying the flag followed by Footstepsinthesand.
Out of one of the all time great French trained multiple Champion racemares, Divine Proportions was the perfect Classic Racehorse, winning Group races from five furlongs to 11 furlongs.
In 2013, South African breeders were privileged to have access to the regally-bred Eightfold Path when he was acquired from the Niarchos Family on behalf of Mr Hui Guo, principal of Bright Industrial Trading Company (China).
Like many great sires before him, Eightfold Path showed tremendous speed and precocity at two years, winning on debut over six furlongs at Deauville and closing off his juvenile campaign with a beautiful front-running display in the Gr3 Prix Eclipse over 1200m at Chantilly. In between his two sprint victories, he ran third in the seven furlong Prix la Rochette, finishing only two lengths behind subsequent French Champion 2Yr Old and now leading European Sire, Siyouni (FR). In total he won four races up to 1600m from age 2 – 4, including the Grand Handicap Listed.
Despite a late start in his first season at stud in 2013, he received strong support from local breeders who have been very excited about his progeny which are typically described as strongly made, quality individuals of good size. Like their sire and grand-dam, most of the foals carry plenty of white markings, many with a distinctive dish.
Eightfold Path’s first yearlings were very well received at sales, where a filly sold for R325 000 at the April National Yearling Sale. His first crop turned two in August 2016 and we should see them very soon on our tracks.
