Fasig-Tipton sale: Test winner Contested sells for $2.3 million

Multiple Grade 1 winner Contested became the first horse of the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky fall selected mixed sale to sell for seven figures, and she did so in dramatic fashion, going to the Yoshida family’s Shadai Farm in Japan for $2.3 million.

The 3-year-old Ghostzapper filly emerged as one of the top sophomores of 2012, winning the Grade 1 Test Stakes and Acorn Stakes as well as the Grade 3 Eight Belles Stakes. She has won 5 of 7 career starts for earnings of $633,754.

Contested was campaigned during her racing career by Jill Baffert, wife of trainer Bob Baffert, who conditioned the filly. Bred in Kentucky by Cherry Valley Farm, Contested was consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency, agent.

“She’s a multiple Grade 1 winner, it doesn’t get better than that,” said Donato Lanni, Hill ‘n’ Dale’s director of bloodstock services. “Bob loved this filly and didn’t want to sell her, but I think the timing was good, coming off a Test win. That’s the race you want to win.

“She’s a sweet mare, a kind mare, and ran hard every time, so I’m sure he’s got mixed emotions selling her, but sometimes you’ve got to sell.”

Sold as a racing or broodmare prospect, Contested is one of two winners from as many to race out of the winning Arch mare Gold Vault. Gold Vault is a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner and sire Pomeroy.

Contested sold for $110,000 at the 2010 Keeneland September yearling sale. Earlier this year, a half-brother by War Front brought $1.05 million at the Keeneland September sale.