A Nyquist filly carrying a major pedigree update sparked fireworks midway through the third session of the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Yearlings Sale Oct. 21 when Andrew Beck—son of Gainesway chairman Antony Beck—and Ben Gowans, signing as Young Squirrel Stables, teamed up to secure the full sister (Hip 996) to Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) contender Gaudreau for $725,000.
"The moment we saw her, we were really just blown away by her, and my Dad was thrilled by her when he was here," Beck said. "He was teaching me things and using this filly as an example.
"She's the epitome of what we're looking for and she's just so classy and an absolutely lovely filly that we can't wait to have in the stable."
Beck credited the team for their group effort. He also added that being a full sister to recent Champagne Stakes (G1) runner-up Gaudreau only added to her appeal. The Chad Brown-trained colt is pre-entered in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, set to take place Oct. 30 at Keeneland.
Hailing from a fast, active family, the filly possesses immense long-term upside with significant residual value as a future broodmare. Beck said her value as a broodmare certainly influenced their decision.
"We try to continue to grow our broodmare band and try to be as strong as we can on that front and really breed racehorses; and that's what she looks like to us," Beck said. "The way she walks, the way she acts, everything about her just screams racehorse."
Although Beck grew up at Gainesway, near Lexington, it has only been over the last few years that he has gotten involved in the Thoroughbred business.
"My Dad and I love doing it together. I'm new to it, but loving it so far," he said.
The filly was the fourth purchase for Gowans, agent for Young Squirrel Stables. Gowans is part of the bloodstock and racing team at Gainesway.
"We're so lucky to have him (Ben) on our team and he's a very good friend of mine," Beck said. "It's onward and upward for us. We're the young squirrels."
Hip 996 was bred in Louisiana by Coteau Grove Farms. She is out of the stakes-placed Congrats mare Free Cover, whom Cary Bloodstock acquired for $260,000 on behalf of Coteau Grove at the 2020 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale while she was carrying a foal by Nyquist.
Keith and Ginger Myers, who established Coteau Grove in 2008, had their best year overall in 2025, finishing 17th nationally among breeders, with 78 wins totaling $3,738,553. They were named a finalist for National Breeder of the Year for the first time for that season.
Hip 996 became the highest-priced horse ever sold by Coteau Grove.
"We're thrilled. Over-the-moon ecstatic," said Andrew Cary, adviser for Coteau Grove.
"Thrilled that she went to a great home; Ben Gowans is a good friend of mine, he had a Nyquist filly win a grade 1 recently, so he certainly knows the type, and he's had an amazing summer. He's a top up-and-coming agent; I wish him all the best."
Gowans, as agent for Young Squirrel Stables, purchased recent Alcibiades Stakes (G1) winner Emphatic at last year's Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $260,000. She is a top contender for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) Oct. 30 at Keeneland. Brendan Walsh trains the filly for Gainesway Stable and Andrew Rosen.
Free Cover's first foal was Undercover Girl (Nyquist), who won on debut by 2 3/4 lengths. After a minor setback, the filly was never able to reach her full potential but joined the broodmare band at Coteau Grove.
Free Cover produced a Wit colt in February and, with Nyquist's fee at $175,000 for the 2026 season, Cary and Coteau Grove instead sent her to a different son of Uncle Mo in Arabian Knight , who has his first foals on the ground this year.
"(Coteau Grove) has been so successful. It's been amazing," Beck said. "You know she's coming from a great place and she wasn't prepped like most of the other horses were, which is something we really like to see. All natural, just a horse that was born to do what we'd like to see her do, which is be a great racehorse."
