Purchasing a horse from the early sessions of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale often comes with high expectations due to the premium pedigrees, extensive marketing, and hefty price tags involved. Success in graded stakes and invitations to prestigious events like the Breeders’ Cup are generally anticipated for these top-tier buys.
In contrast, while there is optimism when buying from the mid-market books, the investment is usually more modest, and consequently, expectations tend to be more tempered. However, when a horse from this segment achieves major success, the impact is profound. This was the case for Gainesway’s Ben Gowans, who struck gold with Emphatic, a Nyquist filly purchased for $260,000 at last year’s Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Emphatic secured a commanding front-running victory in the Grade 1 Alcibiades Stakes on Friday at Keeneland Race Course, earning a coveted “Win and You’re In” spot for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, also held at Keeneland on October 30.
The filly was acquired under the Young Squirrels partnership, a name Gowans uses when buying on behalf of Andrew Beck, whose family owns Gainesway, along with racing partner Andrew Rosen. Beck’s directive to Gowans was clear: focus on selecting racehorses rather than pedigrees. “Our goal was to find fillies we liked in Books 3 and 4,” Gowans explained. Their prior year’s purchase, a filly named Luster from Book 4, went on to win this year’s King’s Plate, marking the success of their strategy.
Emphatic, one of the yearlings sold as Hip 1849 and consigned by Four Star Sales, is out of an unraced Tiznow mare named Convinced and bred by Jon A. Marshall. Notably, her third dam is Tap Your Heels, dam of Gainesway’s cornerstone sire Tapit, which added extra appeal for Beck and Rosen. “Being a Pennsylvania-bred, she wasn’t immediately apparent to most buyers despite being by Nyquist,” Gowans said. Though a bit immature at the time of the sale, she demonstrated excellent movement, balance, and an impressive demeanor—qualities that have proven true on the track.
The quirky name “Young Squirrels” originated from a long-standing nickname given to Andrew Beck by Gainesway’s general manager Brian Graves when Beck was younger. Despite the playful name, the partnership operates smoothly and without much pressure. “It’s a fantastic, low-stress partnership, and we’ve enjoyed a remarkable streak in recent years,” Gowans commented.
Gowans’ path to the winner’s circle at Keeneland is quite different from many in the industry. Raised in Seattle, Washington, where his parents trained Morgan show horses, Gowans’ passion for Thoroughbreds ignited after a childhood visit to Saratoga Race Course at age seven. Five years ago, he joined Gainesway’s team, initially working under former bloodstock director Alex Solis II. Upon Solis’s departure, Gowans took on more responsibilities, managing Gainesway’s racing stable and purchasing horses. He credits Solis and Graves for sharpening his eye, noting they all tend to favor the same type of horse—well-balanced individuals that move fluidly.
This approach guided Gowans when selecting Emphatic. “She wasn’t the strongest behind, but in fillies, the neck and shoulder are just as crucial,” he noted. Her excellent shoulder movement and balance suggested she could improve, a prediction that has certainly paid off.
Now with three wins in as many starts, Emphatic has earned $404,250 under the training of Brendan Walsh. She broke her maiden on July 25 at Colonial Downs with a dominant six-length victory, followed by a commanding 5½-length triumph in the Sorority Stakes at Monmouth Park on August 29. Her recent wire-to-wire win in the Alcibiades Stakes, guided by jockey Tyler Gaffalione, only cements her status as a top contender.
This story was initially published by Paulick Report on October 2, 2026, in their News section.
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Fan Take: This underdog triumph from the middle market underscores that elite talent can be found beyond the early sessions, adding excitement and hope for all buyers. Emphatic’s rise highlights how savvy partnerships and expert horsemanship can uncover stars that might otherwise be overlooked, enriching the sport’s competitive spirit and diversity.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
