Increased demand from commercial producers ensured a flying trade for the Charolais breed when no fewer than 29 bulls sold at or above the magical 10,000gns mark and averages improved £436 on the year.
By the end of a busy day, 106 bulls sold to produce a record average of £8470, with a 80% clearance rate.
“It was an unbelievable sale and great to see averages up on the year, which shows the confidence there is in the breed,” said British Charolais Cattle Society president, Iain Miller.
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“Strong demand for Charolais and Charolais cross store cattle encouraged commercial producers to invest in the breed, with many of those farmers going to five-figure prices for bulls,” he added.
It was a day to remember for Neil and Stuart Barclay, Harestone, Insch, when they topped the sale at 22,000gns and their pen of four cashed in at £14,043.75. Backing up these big sales, the Barclays sold heifers to a top of 20,000gns after the bulls.
Sale leader, brought out by stockman Robert Marshall, was the red ticket holder Harestone Tryone. He is a son of Goldies Oasis, which was bought here for 23,000gns and also bred a lot of the Harestone heifers sold. The dam, Harestone Lacey, is a daughter of Doonally New. October 2022-born, Tyrone found a new home with Jeremy Price, Oak Church, Hereford.
Another by the same sire, Harestone Technip, sold in a two-way split for 12,000gns to Andrew Clark, Blackhill, Crossford, Carluke and Andrew Provan, Parkhall, Lanark. This third prize November 2022-born bull is bred from the Thrunton Fairfax daughter, Harestone Odette.
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The junior champion, Harestone Thedalg, made 11,000gns when selling to Tom Cox, Cox Bros, Church lane, Derbyshire. He is an October 2022-born son of the French sire, Harestone Rabelais, which was imported for £26,000 and is a full brother to a former Paris champion. The dam, Harestone Mammamia, stood reserve breed champion at the Royal Highland Show in 2021, and is a daughter of Maerdy Dublin.
Dumfriesshire breeder Richard McCornick, Barnbackle, achieved a personal best of 18,000gns, when selling the July 2022-born Ricnick Tyson. This second prize winner stood reserve inter-breed at LiveScot last year, and is the first bull to be sold at auction by the privately purchased, Castellmawr Rocketman. The dam, Ricnick Peach, goes back to Balthayock Lorenzo. Tyson was knocked down to John Jeffrey, Kersknowe, Kelso.
Another achieving a personal best at 16,000gns was Hollywell T20 from John and Sandra Middleton, Cowfords, New Pitsligo, Fraserburgh. Reserve junior champion, this 19-month-old is a son of Nuthampstead Judas, which was bought at the Westcarse dispersal, while the dam, Hollywell Italy, has bred bulls to 11,500gns being sired by Clonoulty. Male champion at Turriff Show and senior male at Stars of the Future, he headed home with Willie Millar, Tealing, by Dundee.
Allen Drysdale, Middle Drimmie, Blairgowrie, sold four at five figures, three of which were sired by Caylers Oxford - a bull bought privately at 10 months of age that has bred sons to 20,000gns.
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Dearest at 15,000gns was Glenericht Tavernier, a blue ticket holder bred from Glenericht Mistique which is a daughter of Maerdy Hwre. This April 2022-born bull sold to David Bryce, Formal Farm, Kilry, Alyth.
Glenericht Tester attracted a 11,000gns bid from RC and A Stevenson, Backakelday, Holm, Orkney. A red ticket holder, this April 2022-born bull is out of Glenericht Nester, with his grand-dam, Glenericht Hester having stood female champion and reserve breed champion at the Royal Highland Show in 2015 as a calved heifer.
Selling to Stranraer with AH Fisher, Merrick, Portpatrick at 11,000gns was the September 2022-born bull Glenericht Tomahawk. Another red ticket holder, this time out of Glenericht Octavia, he goes back to the foundation heifer, Elrick Foxglove.
The fifth prize bull, Glenericht Topper, realised 13,000gns for the same home when selling to David Cooper, Govals Farm, Kincaldrum, Forfar. This 20-month-old bull is backed by home-bred genetics on both sides being a son of Glenericht Limpet, which has bred sons to 17,500gns, and out of the Caylers Gladiator daughter, Glenericht Ladyship.
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It was also a day to remember for Ian and Dot Goldie, Solwayfirth, Annan, who produced both the champion and reserve honours at the pre-sale show which went on to realise 15,000gns and 9000gns respectively.
Both are sons of Glenericht Majestic which was bought here for 11,500gns and has previously bred sons to 15,000gns.
The champion, Solwayfirth Tierney, a May 2022-born bull, stood second in his class at last year’s Royal Highland Show and is bred from Solwayfirth Malibu, which goes back to Solwayfirth Hannibal. Final bidders were Robert and Caroline Dalrymple, Kings Arms, Crailloch, Ballantrae, Girvan.
The intermediate champion, Carwood Trojan from Colin and Fiona Wight, Carwood, Biggar, went on to make 15,000gns when selling to George Wordie, Cairnborrow, Glass, Huntly, Aberdeenshire. This May 2022-born bull is a son of the 12,000gns Maerdy Magestic, a bull that has bred sons to 16,000gns to average in excess of £9000 with three selling into pedigree herds. The dam, Carwood Mandy, is a daughter of the 8000gns Elgin Emperor which has done particularly well for the herd.
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Also on the same money was Wensleydale Tomahawk from Chris Timm of the Wensleydale herd, York. This 20-month-old bull is a son of Balthayock Nominee, which has bred sons to 10,000gns, and the dam, Hillviewfarm Margaret, was purchased in Northern Ireland for 6200gns, being a daughter of Blelack Digger.Michael Durno, Auchorachan, Glenlivet, Ballindalloch, took this boy home.
Marwood Trigger then made 13,000gns for Jean and Roy Blyth and son Neil, Middleton House, Elwick. Backed by home-bred genetics, he is from the first crop of sons by Marwood Odin, and the dam, Marwood Lucile goes back to Burradon Goldenboys. This May 2022-born bull stood fourth in his class having stood reserve junior male champion at the Great Yorkshire Show in 2023. Trigger now travels down to Wales with Messrs Richards and Son, Lletty Brongu, Llangynwyo, Mid Glamorgan.
The same home sold the April 2022-born bull, Marwood Tinker, for 11,000gns to the Smiths of Broomhill, Dunecht, West hill. This first placed bull is the result of a mating between the sire, Balthayock Lineup, and the dam, Marwood Oliveoil, which goes back to Marwood Jockey. Johnny and Rammond Irvine, Inverlochy, Tomintoul, Ballindalloch, sold their fourth prize bull, Inverlochy Thunder, for 13,000gns to Greystoke Castle Farms, Penrith. This July 2022-born bull is a son of Caylers Napoleon, which was bought out of Carlisle for 12,000gns, with the dam, Ballindalloch Nova, going back to Blelack Giggsey.
Hamish Goldie, South Bowerhouses, Dumfries, had a field day selling to a top of 13,000gns with another two at 11,000gns.
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Dearest was Goldies Titan, a first prize winner and a son of the 15,000gns Gretnahouse Heman bred from Goldies Goldengirl, that has bred females to 10,000gns being sired by Goldies Ambassador. This July 2022-born bull is a full brother to 11,500gns and 9500gns sales, with this one finding a new home in the Western Isles with Messrs Morrison, Lochboisdale, South Uist. The similarly aged bull, Goldies Titus, another red ticket holder sired by Elrick Officer, made 11,000gns. Titus is out of the Gretnahouse Heman daughter, Goldies Majestic, and sold to the Cameron family of Shanry Farm, Rait.
On the same price tag was the fifth prize Goldies Tiptop. This October 2022-born bull is sired by Caylers Rocky and out of Goldies Lora, which is out of a line that contains the herd’s best breeding cows. Tiptop was knocked down to Sibmister and Stainland Farms, Thurso, Caithness.
Mark Ross, Ross Farms, Wester Middleton, Midlothian, went to 13,000gns for Elrick Trident from Mike and Lisa Massie, Mains of Elrick, Ellon. This 17-month-old bull stood second in the show, and is sired by Westcarse Houdini, out of Elrick Pansy, which goes back to Maerdy Gouverneur.
Next in the trade stakes at 12,000gns was Haughhead Tam from Alastair Wardlaw, Haughhead, Balerno. This blue ticket holder is a son of the 16,000gns Gretnahouse Pimp and bred from the Lawersbridge Iceberg daughter, Haughhead Obvious. Jim Warnock, Dreva, Broughton, Biggar, took this lad home.
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Ian Campbell and sons Bruce and Andrew, Thrunton, Alnwick, received 11,000gns for their August 2022-born bull, Thrunton Titanium. This second prize winner is backed by home-bred genetics being a son of Thrunton Nevada, which has bred bulls to 13,000gns, while the dam, Thrunton Optima, goes back to Maerdy Jerusalem. Titanium headed north to Aberdeenshire with Peter Watson and sons, Adam and David, Darnford, Durris, Banchory. Two bulls made 10,500gns, with the first being Stranagone Topdog from Robert McWilliams, Stranagone, Maghera, Co Londonderry, Northern Ireland. This 21-month-old stood second in his class having been inter-breed junior champion at the Balmoral Show last year. Sired by Stranagone Jones, he is a heifer’s calf out of Burnside Okidoki. Topdog travels up to Orkney with Terry Coghill, Muce, Birsay.
On the same money was Newlogie Tomahawk from AJR Farms, brought out by Andrew Reid and son Andrew, Milton of Collieston, Ellon. This May 2022-born bull is a son of Newlogie Nobel, imported from France for €17,500 and has bred sons to 13,000gns. The dam, Tutbury Michelle, was bought at the Tutbury dispersal in Welshpool. Final bidders were Messrs Hanson, Fields place, Dilwyn, Hereford.
Other Leading Prices
10,000gns – L Houston’s Glenericht Superb to Messrs Millar, Kinnaniel, Kirriemuir; AJR Farms’ Newlogie Topprize to D Hyslop Farms, Moffat; H Goldie’s Goldies Target to D Hair, Drumbreddan, Stranraer; JH Wilson and Sons’ Ballinlare Tycoon to B Bruce, Balmyle, Perthshire; Messrs Curry’s Burradon Tailor, to Messrs Fisher, Merrick, Stranraer; MJ Massie’s Elrick Torpedo to Maesquoy farm, Harray, Orkney.
Leading Awards
Bulls born between Feb 23 and April 2, 2022 – 1, D Muirhead’s Firhills Toro, by Glenericht Mecca, 8500gns to Messrs Mitchell, Ardtornish, Strathkinness, St Andrews; 2, J Wardlaw and Son’s Haughhead Tam, by Gretnahouse Pimp, 12,000gns to J Warnock, Dreva, Biggar; 3, J Wardlaw and Son’s Haughhead Tate, by Gretnahouse Pimp, 6000gns to Messrs Armstrong, Dunsyre Mains, Carnwath; 4, A Anderson’s Rutherston Tabasco, by Balmyle Oscar, 5000gns to D Hyslop Farms, Moffat; 5, J Wardlaw and Son’s Haughhead Theo, by Haughhead Lookabout, 6000gns to Messrs Roddan, Longbeoch, Dumfries.
Bulls born between April 3 and 18, 2022 – 1, RA and J Blyth’s Marwood Tinker, by Balthayock Lineup, 11,000gns to Messrs Smith, Broomhill, West Hill; 2, JA Wilson and Sons’ Kinclune Topsire, by Harestone Nighthawk, unsold; 3, JA Wilson and Sons’ Kinclune Trueman, by Harestone Nighthawk, 9000gns to Messrs Thomson, Wester Tulloch, Aberdeenshire; 4, D Muirhead’s Firhills Tommy, by Glenericht Mecca, 9000gns to Mountquhanie farms, Fife; 5, JHC Campbell and sons’ Thrunton Trademark, by Baillieston Orcadian, 8000gns to Messrs Davies and Sons, Park Farm, Powys.
Bulls born between April 19 and 26, 2022 – 1, reserve junior and reserve overall, I and D Goldie’s Solwayfirth Topgun, by Glenericht Majestic, 9000gns to Messrs Lawrence, Blackpots, Ellon; 2, WK and P Drysdale’s Glenericht Tavernier, by Caylers Oxford, 15,000gns to D Bryce and Son, Formal, Alyth; 3, A MacGregor’s Allanfauld Tamdhu, by Harestone Oscar, 7000gns to Messrs Young, Girvan Mains; 4, JHC Campbell and Sons’ Thrunton Turbo, by Thrunton Nevada, 8000gns to Messrs Mackie, Goodockhill, Motherwell; 5, Major DFWH and NR Walter’s Balthayock Thane, by Balthayock Impression, 9000gns to Messrs Mackay and Son, Greenvale, Dunnet, Caithiness.
Bulls born between April 27 and May 4, 2022 – 1, WK and P Drysdale’s Glenericht Tester, by Caylers Oxford, 11,000gns to Messrs Stevenson, Backakeleday, Orkney; 2, RA and J Blyth’s Marwood Tornado, Marwood Odin, 8000gns to Messrs Coghill, Muce, Orkney; 3, JHC Campbell and Sons’ Thrunton Toyota, by Thrunton Nevada, 5500gns to Messrs Campbell, Drynoch House, Isle of Skye; 4, DE Evans’ Maerdy Telly, by Maerdy Neverdiere, unsold; 5, WK and P Drysdale’s Glenericht Tudor, by Glenericht Mecca, 8000gns to Messrs Rhodes, Holme House, York.
Bulls born between May 5 and 10, 2022 – 1, senior and overall male champion, I and D Goldie’s Solwayfirth Tierney, by Glenericht Majestic, 15,000gns to Messrs Dalrymple, King Arms, Girvan; 2, Major DFWH and NR Walter’s Tartar, by Balthayock Ferdinand, 7000gns to Messrs Mackay and Son, Greenvale, Dunnet, Caithness; 3, RA and J Blyth’s Marwood Torpedo, by Elgin Jagger, 5000gns to Messrs Powell and Son, Guddar, South Wales; 4, RA and J Blyth’s Marwood Trigger, by Marwood Odin, 6000gns to Messrs Mcintyre, Auchentirrie, Isle of Bute; 5, MR McCornick’s McCornick Taurus, by McCornick Newsflash, 4000gns to L Muir, Upper Onston, Orkney.
Bulls born between May 11 and 15, 2022 – 1, intermediate champion, CJ Wight’s Carwood Trojan, by Maerdy Magestic, 15,000gns to G Wordie, Cairnborrow, Huntly; 2, R McWilliams Stranagone Topdog, by Stranagone Jones, 10,500gns to Messrs Coghill, Muce, Orkney; 3, RA Milne’s Elgin Tiree, by Thurso Paul, 9000gns to L Muir, Upper Onston, Orkney; 4, RA and J Blyth’s Marwood Travis, by Maerdy Ignition, 9000gns to Messrs Duncan, Lands of Drumhead and Blair, Balfron, Glasgow; 5, SA Allan’s Inverden Topboy, by Harestone Nighthawk, 5000gns to Messrs Malcom and Sons, Wester Coilechat, Callander.
Bulls born between May 16 and June 2, 2022 – 1, H Goldie’s Goldies Terrific, by Gretnahouse Heman, 8500gns to Elsick Estate, Mains of Newhall, Stonehaven; 2, CJ Wight’s Carwood Trident, by Maerdy Magestic, 6500gns to Messrs Milne, North Bethelnie, Old Meldrum; 3, DM Lyle’s Loganbar Torpedo, by Maerdy Pore, 8000gns to Messrs Steele, Wicker Inn, Banchory; 4, AJR Farms’ Newlogie Tomahawk, by Newlogie Nobel, 10,500gns to Messrs Hanson, Hereford; 5, CJ Wight’s Carwood Tinto, by Maerdy Magestic, 7500gns to Messrs Kennedy, Edinbeg, Port Bannatyne, Isle of Bute.
Bulls born between June 3 and 15, 2022 – 1, J Watson and Co’s Tweeddale Tomahawk, by Goldies Jasper, 9500gns to Messrs Falconer, Pollowick, Grantown on Spey; 2, AJ Lyle’s Lyles Topgun, by Maerdy Pore, 5000gns to Messrs Russell, Whitehill, Renfrewshire; 3, MD E Evans’ Maerdy Total, by Maerdy Offenback, unsold; 4, J Jeffrey’s Kersknowe Thistle, by Balmyle Navarone, 8000gns to Messrs Mccombie, Auchincrieve, Rothiemay, Huntly; 5, WK and P Drysdale’s Glenericht Topper, by Glenericht Limpet, 13,000gns to Messrs Cooper and son, Govals, Kincaldrum, Forfar.
Bulls born between June 16 and 30, 2022 – 1, H Goldie’s Goldies Target, by Caylers Rocky, 10,000gns to D Hair, Drumbreddan, Stranraer; 2, H Goldie’s Goldies Toby, by Caylers Rocky, 8000gns to GH Farms, Grange Hill Farm, Bishop Auckland, Co Durham; 3, Messrs Curry’s Burradon Transformer, by Clenagh Lyle, 4500gns to Messrs Malcom and Son, Wester Coilechat, Callander, Perthshire; 4, CJ Wight’s Carwood Teddy, by Carwood Gigolo, unsold; 5, J and S Middleton’s Hollywell Thor, by Nuthampstead Judas, 3200gns to Utility support, C/O Josh Williamson, Kookery, Stoke on Trent.
Bulls born between July 1 and 24, 2022 – 1, reserve intermediate, H Goldie’s Goldies Titan, by Gretnahouse Heman, 13,000gns to Messrs Morrison, South Uist; 2, RF McCornick’s Ricknick Tyson, by Castellmawr Rocketman, 18,000gns to J Jefferey, Kersknowe, Kelso; 3, J Watson and Co’s Tweeddale Timber, by Goldies Jasper, 4000gns to Messrs Little, East Bracklinn, Callander; 4, J Irvine and Son’s Inverlochy Thunder, by Caylers Napoleon, 13,000gns to Greystoke Castle Farms, Penrith; 5, RM Adam and Son’s Newhouse Torpedo, by Ballinlare Phantom, unsold.
Bulls born between July 25 and August 9, 2022 – 1, H Goldie’s Goldies Titus, by Elrick Officer, 11,000gns to DA Cameron, Shanry Farm, Rait; 2, JHC Campbells and Sons’ Thrunton Titanium, by Thrunton Nevada, 11,000gns to Messrs Watson, Darnford, Banchory; 3, JH Wilson and Sons’ Ballinlare Tycoon, by Balthayock Justice, 10,000gns to B Bruce, Balmyle, Perthshire; 4, JHC Campbell and Sons’ Thrunton Tiberius, by Thrunton Nevada, 4800gns to Falshaw, Nabbs, Walmersley; 5, J Irvine and Sons’ Inverlochy Tiree, by Caylers Napoleon, unsold.
Bulls born between August 10 and Sep 9, 2022 – 1 and reserve junior, J and S Middleton’s Hollywell T20, by Nuthampstead Judas, 16,000gns to Hunting Faulds Farm, Tealing, by Dundee; 2, DE Evans’ Maerdy Thomas, by Maerdy Pope, 6000gns to Messrs Magillivray, Torgormack, Kirkhill, Inverness; 3, Messrs Curry’s Burradon Tailor, by Burradon Parko, 10,000gns to Messrs Fisher, Merrick, Stranraer; 4, RM Adam and Son’s Newhouse Talisman, by Ballinlare Phantom, unsold; 5, H Goldie’s Goldies Talented, by Caylers Rocky, 7500gns to Messrs Austin, Boreland of Girthon, Gatehouse of Fleet.
Bulls born between September 10 and 23, 2022 – 1, WK and P Drysdale’s Glenericht Tomahawk, by Caylers Oxford, 11,000gns to Messrs Fisher, Merrick; 2, MJ Massie’s Elrick Trident, by Westcarse Houdini, 13,000gns to Ross Farms, Wester Middleton, Midlothian; 3, H Goldie’s Goldies Topstar, by Goldies Romeo, 5000gns to Glenkiln Farms, Crocktford, Dumfries; 4, WK and P Drysdale’s Glenericht Titus, by Caylers Oxford, 8000gns to Messrs Paterson, Golland, Kinross; 5, A Ivory’s Cardean Tiree, by Elgin Flagship, unsold.
Bulls born between Sept 24 and 15 Oct 15, 2022 – 1 and junior champion, R and N Barclay’s Harestone Thedalg, by Harestone Rabelais, 11,000gns to Cox Bros, Church Lane, Derbyshire; 2, RA Milne’s Elgin Tucker, by Glenericht Pegasus, 8000gns to Messrs Callum, Ashlea, Inverness; 3, RA Milne’s Elgin Titan, by Westcarse Houdini, 6000gns to J Guild, Ashmark, New Cumnock; 4, R and N Barclay’s Harestone Teuchter, by Goldies Oasis, 8500gns to A Smellie, Posso Farm, Peebles; 5, WK and P Drysdale’s Glenericht Trademark, by Caylers Oxford, 5000gns to Messrs Walker, Drumbuie, Sanquhar.
Bulls born after October 16, 2022 – 1, R and N Barclay’s Harestone Tyrone, by Goldies Oasis, 22,000gns to J Price, Oakchurch, Herefordshire; 2, C Smeaton and Sons’ Bombax Topgun, by Glenericht Ryder, unsold; 3, R and N Barclay’s Harestone Technip, by Goldies Oasis, 12,000gns to A Clark, Blackhill, Crossford and A Provan, Parkhall, Lanark; 4, R Aitken’s Lourie Tempo, by Balthayock Ferdinand, unsold; 5, H Goldie’s Goldies Tip Top, by Caylers Rocky, 11,000gns to Sibmister and Stainland Farm, Thurso, Caithness.
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