Contested, a dual grade I-winning daughter of Ghostzapper  , brought the highest price during the first two hours of the Nov. 5 Fasig-Tipton November sale when she fetched $2.3 million as Hip No. 41 from veterinarian Mitsuru Ikeda on behalf of Teruya Yoshida's Japan-based Shadai Farm.

Consigned by John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency, agent, Contested came into the auction off a victory in the Aug. 25 Test (gr. I) at Saratoga. Before that, she won the May 28 TVG Acorn (gr. I) at Belmont Park, plus the May 4 Eight Belles Stakes (gr. III) at Churchill Downs.

"I saw her on TV in the Acorn Stakes and it was very interesting, wire-to-wire win," said Ikeda. "I wanted a speedy filly for a broodmare in Japan. We will bring her back to Japan and breed her to a Sunday Silence stallion."

Prior to the sale, Contested was trained by Bob Baffert for his wife Natalie "Jill" Baffert. The 3-year-old filly, who owns a career record of 5-1-0 from seven starts, has earnings of $633,754. Bred in Kentucky by Cherry Valley Farm, she is out of the winning Arch   mare Gold Vault, who is a half sister to dual grade I winner and sire Pomeroy   (by Boundary).

Contested was originally a $110,000 purchase at the 2010 Keeneland September yearling sale. Bought by Woodleigh Stables, she was consigned by Claiborne Farm, agent.

"She was the highest rated sprinting filly in the country," said Sikura of Contested. "She won two major group I New York races, and she's a filly with a great future."

Added Donato Lanni of Hill 'n' Dale: "She's a lovely filly. You never know what they're going to bring. She's a rare commodity. Unfortunately we're losing another good mare overseas, but sometimes you have to sell."