Growing demand for the cream of Limousin genetics saw increased prices and averages at the Red Ladies and Weaned Calf show and sale at Carlisle, where prices peaked at 25,000gns and a further five lots sold at or above the 10,000gns mark.

Add in another 13 selling between 5000gns and 10,000gns and it was a good day for breeders with quality stock.

The sale leader was the first prize Limousin heifer calf, Foxhillfarm Unique, an ET from Mike and Melanie's Devon-based herd which has been housed in Ayrshire with Drew Hyslop and his partner Katrina Mailer, for the past few months. Backed by the best of genetics, this 11-month-old is bred from Foxhillfarm Naomi, which did the triple crown in 2019, winning the supreme at the Royal Highland, Great Yorkshire, and the Royal Welsh, as a two-year-old. The sire is an equally well-bred show bull, Foxhillfarm Lordofthering that has sired bulls to 26,000gns. Unique was bought by Chris White, buying for the Frogmore herd from Moreton In Marsh, Gloucs.

The second prize winner to the Red Ladies champion, Garrowby Toffee, from Garrowby Farm, York, made 22,000gns selling to Paul and Christine Tippetts, buying for the Wilodge herd from Wolverhampton. An April 2022 natural-born calf, this summer show winner is the first daughter sold from the 28,000gns Grahams Rooney, and out of the private purchase, Gunnerfleet Jeloche.

Judge Mary Cormack, Chepstow, Monmouthshire, bought her choice of champion and reserve at 18,000gns and 6000gns. The former was Sarkley Tenrietta, a similarly aged heifer from first time consignor, Elfed Williams, Sennybridge. Tenrietta which was bought here last year for 10,000gns from the Pennie family and was pedigree champion at the English Winter Fair, last month. Her pedigree features Carnew Millreef and Sarkley Lenrietta.

Matching that 18,000gns sale was Anside Trinity, the show heifer from Stephen and Denise Irvine, son Martin, and his wife Mel, Drummuir, Keith. Another April 2022-born heifer, this natural-born entry is by Claragh Franco and out of Anside Liberty.

Two heifers made 10,000gns to include Grahams Trendy, a similarly aged heifer by the same sire, from Stirlingshire-based Robert Graham. Best heifer calf in the 2022 Scottish herd competition, Trendy which stood first in her class at the Royal Welsh, is bred from Grahams Coffee and sold to Page Farm Partnership, Ripon.

The Borderway Babes champion from the previous night's Club Show, Maraiscote Ubeauty, from Ian and Andrew Nimmo, Wishaw, also sold for 10,000gns to Rachel Bunting and Harry Potts, New Abbey, Dumfries. Another with a big pedigree behind her, this 11-month-old which was junior champion at the Stars of the Future, is by Bassingfield Machoman and the first heifer sold from the show cow, Maraiscote Gucci.

Overall, 35 Red Ladies maiden heifers averaged £5550.00 which is up from £4331 at last year's sale, with 22 heifer calves cashing in at £4362.27, compared to £4357.50, at the same sale in 2022. Five bull calves averaged £3129 against £2086.87, last year.

For full report and pictures see next week's Scottish Farmer on December 16.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington