Friday was the first day of the three-day sale, which wrapped up yesterday, with the top- selling horse going for $40,000 and others selling for $38,000 and $35,000.

A total of 537 horses were catalogued for the sale. One hundred and forty-five went under the hammer on Friday.

Landmark national equine sales support employee Amanda Nicholson said last year's top price of $45,000 was paid on Friday, so bids were looking to be on par with previous years, although numbers were up.

"We've had 500 registered bid cards on the first day, which is up on last year, with people from all mainland states and territories," she said.

For those who are floodbound, there was the option of bidding on the phone and watching the sale streamed live at www.landmark-clas sic.com.au

Ms Nicholson said last year's sale grossed $4.4 million, but that she believed it would exceed that this year, possibly grossing $4.8 million or even $5 million.

The sale is the biggest performance-horse sale in Australia and the second-biggest in the Southern Hemisphere.

Preceding the sale was the Landmark Classic Campdraft, from last Tuesday to last Thursday.

The 2012 Landmark Classic winner was Michael Hiscock on Luckenough Horizon, netting him $30,000 plus round money.

The Landmark Classic open draft was won by Nigel Kable on Chevin Ivory, netting him $10,000. The masters was won by Troy Clarke on Hampden Rose. He won $5000.