Gary Barber, Wachtel Stable, and Swilcan Stable’s Vequist joined a distinguished list of juveniles when she was named the Champion 2-year-old Filly of 2020 during Thursday’s virtual Eclipse Award ceremony.
Vequist capped her championship season with a two-length victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), defeating fellow Eclipse finalist Dayoutoftheoffice.
Vequist, a daughter of Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Nyquist, announced herself as a filly with remarkable talent when she won the Spinaway S. (G1) by nearly 10 lengths as a maiden in what was her second lifetime start. With a second in the Frizette S. (G1) as well, Vequist finished 2020 with earnings of $1,235,500.
Vequist was bred by Swilcan and is out of the Grade 2-placed Mineshaft mare Vero Amore, who finished in the top three in 11 of 16 starts while earning $252,255. Her latest foal is a 2020 filly by Daredevil, whose daughter Shedaresthedevil was named Champion 3-year-old Filly on Thursday evening.
Vequist is trained by Robert “Butch” Reid, Jr. She is currently training at Palm Meadows Training Center in south Florida as she readies for her 2021 campaign.