Bel Esprit mare Belleluia was the star turn on Day 1 of the Inglis Melbourne August Sale on Thursday when she made $205,000.

Belleluia (7m Bel Esprit – Song of the Sun by Desert Sun) is from a three-quarter sister to Helsinge – the dam of Black Caviar and All Too Hard.  After plenty of spirited bidding, she was knocked down to Inglis acting for an Irish client.

The session-topper has a 2yo filly by Bushranger, a yearling filly by Magnus and she is in foal to Wanted on a November cover from last year.

It was pleasing to see commercial broodmares are in good demand,” Inglis director Peter Heagney said.  “We had a very diverse crowd of buyers from all over Australia as well as Korea, New Zealand and Ireland.”

Next best on Thursday’s leader-board were Clouding Over (sold in foal to Sepoy) and the stakes placed mares Bella Princess and Sean Baile Mor who made $55,000 and $52,000 respectively.

The Day 1 turnover saw 139 lots gross $879,900 and an average of $8,163.  The clearance rate was 84%.

The second and final day of the Melbourne Sale at Oaklands on Friday includes new season yearlings, unbroken and racing stock.