Keeneland November: Young broodmare from family of Rags to Riches sells for $2.85 million

Unraced but regally-bred Modeling sold for $2.85 million to Don Alberto Corp during Wednesday's second session of the Keeneland November breeding stock sale.

The 2-year-old daughter of leading sire Tapit was consigned by Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency. She sold carrying her first foal, to the cover of Distorted Humor.

Modeling, out of the winning Storm Cat mare Teeming, is a half sister to Grade 1 winner Streaming, stakes winner Cascading, and stakes placed winners Distracting and Gifting.

Modeling's second dam is Grade 2 winner and Broodmare of the Year Better Than Honour, making Teeming a half sister to Kentucky Oaks and Belmont Stakes winner and champion Rags To Riches, as well as to Belmont winner Jazil, Breeders' Cup Marathon winner Man of Iron, and Grade 2 winner Casino Drive.

Out of Kentucky Oaks winner Blush With Pride, Better Than Honour's half siblings include group stakes winner and stakes producer Smolensk, group stakes winner Turnberry Isle, and Group 1-placed Maryinsky, dam of champion Peeping Fawn and Group 1 winner Thewayyouare. The next dam in the female line is prominent broodmare Best in Show.

"She's such a well-bred mare, so to get her, we knew from the beginning it was going to be a difficult task, but we're happy," said Fernando Diaz-Valdes, speaking for Don Alberto Corp. "We didn't expect it would come at that amount of money, but the thing has been done and there's nothing we can do now. We didn't really expect her to get over $2 million, but the market is the market and there's nothing we can do, but we love that pedigree."