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The lure of classic international bloodlines was the catalyst for Three Bridges Thoroughbreds and Paul Willetts to stretch their budget to secure the top lot on Day 3 of Melbourne's Great Southern Sale.

Offered by Cornerstone Stud, the well-bred mare Queen Of The World, by European champion Sea The Stars offered in foal to leading French sire Siyouni – was the subject of fierce bidding, eventually selling for $360,000.

The broodmare was the highlight on a day when more than $5 million was realised for breeding stock.

Cornerstone's Sam Hayes knew the Liston family of Three Bridges was interested in Queen of the World and was thrilled they were able to purchase the quality mare.

"I didn't realise how much he liked it,'' Hayes said.

"It's a great result. These mares are really hard to find and Siyouni is a stallion we have the utmost respect for.

"We look forward to this first foal by Siyouni hitting a premier sale in the next couple of years.''

Three Bridges' Toby Liston explained how the farm had placed a greater emphasis on international bloodlines in recent years.

"A few years ago we bought three mares in foal to Frankel and it has turned out very well.

They were the first international mares we had bought and we have followed up the past couple of years with a couple of mares, it saves us going to England and she can foal here in Australia,'' Liston said.

"We have been chasing international mares all year. Sea The Stars is going to be terrific as a broodmare sire and Siyouni is a champion in France, so she will suit us well.''

A pair of Victorian mares in foal to in-demand stallion Zoustar ended the day as equal second on the leaderboard.

Yulong Investments went to $250,00 to secure Peninsula Miss offered by Woodside Park Stud while Merricks Station also received $250,000 for their filly from She Goes To Rio purchased by Bill Wong's Hall of Fame Bloodstock.

Peninsula Miss will "most likely'' be served by Yulong's foundation stallion Grunt this season.

"We love Zoustar, we've got some really nice weanlings on the farm and we're supporters and believers so it's good to get a mare in foal to him," said Yulong's Luke Wilkinson.

"She'll most likely go to Grunt. It's suitable on the type Grunt is and the type the mare is but we will discuss it over the next week."

Merricks Station's Ben Cooper was thrilled with the price secured for She Goes To Rio.

"We bought She Goes To Rio last year and put her in foal to Zoustar and it's been a really good trade result for the farm,'' Cooper said.

"Like any mare in foal to Zoustar, she was very popular and was busy during inspections.

The fourth and final day of the Great Southern Sale will see a mix of yearlings and racing stock offered.