Betting on Bloodlines: Why Pegasus Profile Matters with Nyquist and Nysos
The Keeneland September Yearling Sale is upon us once again, and with it comes both excitement and risk. From September 8–20, more than 4,600 yearlings will pass through the ring in the world’s premier Thoroughbred marketplace. Among them: 74 yearlings by Kentucky Derby winner and rising sire Nyquist. For buyers hoping to find the next champion, the question is clear—how do you separate the merely well-bred from the truly exceptional?
That’s where Pegasus Profile comes in.
Nyquist’s Record: Solid but Selective
Since retiring as an undefeated juvenile champion and Kentucky Derby hero, Nyquist has been given every chance at stud. With 847 foals across 8 crops, his résumé includes:
- 3 champions
- 19 graded stakes winners
- 31 blacktype winners
- Progeny earnings of more than $45 million
On paper, that’s impressive—but dig deeper, and the numbers tell a cautious tale. Out of nearly 700 foals of racing age, only 4% have become blacktype winners. Yearlings by Nyquist bring six-figure averages in the sales ring (median $150,000; average almost $200,000), but those hammer prices don’t guarantee results on the track.
That leaves buyers facing the same conundrum: are you investing in the next standout, or just another line item on the stud’s ledger?
Enter Nysos: Proof of Potential
For proof that Nyquist can sire something special, look no further than Nysos. This colt, bred by Susie Atkins and trained by Bob Baffert, has made the leap from talented prospect to bona fide star.
After starting his career with three straight wins, injury sidelined him for 15 months. But his comeback has been nothing short of electric:
- Graded stakes victories in the Triple Bend (G3) and San Diego Handicap (G2)
- A career record of 6 starts: 5 wins, 1 second, $598,500 earned
- The morning-line favorite in the upcoming $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar
Nysos isn’t just winning—he’s dominating, with speed figures and pace ratings that make him a legitimate Breeders’ Cup Classic contender. He’s the kind of horse that proves Nyquist’s ceiling is very high indeed.
Why Pegasus Profile is the Edge at Keeneland
Here’s the catch: while Nysos is proof of concept, he’s also the exception. The majority of Nyquist’s offspring, while useful, will never sniff Grade 1 company. Statistically, only about one in twenty Nyquist
foals become blacktype winners. Which raises the critical question: how do you know if the yearling in front of you is a Nysos—or not?
That’s where Pegasus Profile delivers.
By analyzing DNA markers, GWAS data, and performance-linked genomics, Pegasus Profile provides a Prediction Summary that separates the true athletes from the sale-ring hype. Think of it as an MRI for a yearling’s potential: a science-backed way to see which Nyquist foals carry the rare combination of genetic stamina, speed, and soundness that leads to elite performance.
In a sale with thousands of yearlings—and 74 stamped by Nyquist—having Pegasus Profile in your pocket means you’re not relying on pedigree page glitter or a consignor’s sales pitch. You’re buying with a competitive edge, one backed by science.
The Takeaway
Nyquist has proven he can sire horses like Nysos, capable of contending at the highest level. But not every Nyquist yearling will deliver that kind of return. At Keeneland this September, buyers will once again face the risk of paying six figures for a yearling that may never earn back its board bill.
Pegasus Profile helps you cut through the noise—delivering clarity, confidence, and the ability to spot the rare Nyquist foal with the genes to be the next Nysos.
In a market defined by uncertainty, Pegasus Profile offers one thing money can’t usually buy at the sales: certainty.