The ever-increasing demand for Aberdeen-Angus-sired cattle continued at United Auctions’ Stirling Bull Sales, where breed averages again rose on the year, with the pre-sale champion, Tonley Endgame, securing the lead price of 24,000gns for father and son duo, Neil and Mark Wattie.

By the end of a busy day, 86 Aberdeen-Angus bulls had found new homes to average £6727 – a rise of £194 on the year albeit for nine fewer sold – with a 77% clearance.

Sale leader from the Aberdeenshire herd based at Mains of Tonley, Alford, was a March 2021-born entry by Tonley Jester Eric, a bull of which the Massies at Blelack owned a half share, that in turn has bred heifers to 24,000gns for the Watties. The dam is the Blelack Evor daughter, Tonley Elma, which has also bred to progeny to 24,000gns. Forking out the cash here were Andrew and James Adam, Newhouse of Glamis, Forfar.

The pre-sale reserve from the same home, Tonley King Paco, made 16,000gns when the hammer fell to the Campbells of Thrunton, Anwick, and S and D Medley, Scalefoot, Whitby, jointly. Another by the same sire, King Paco is out of Wall Kind Pride, which has bred progeny to 11,000gns, being a daughter of Wall Renegade.

Tonley had a cracking two days, securing all the group awards with their bulls all being sons of Tonley Jester Eric, with the seven bulls to average £10,650.

Kenny Dunlop, Hillhead, Auchengray, Carnwath, gave 14,000gns for the first prize, Tonley Eyecandy. He is bred from Tonley Ester R161 which goes back to Blelack Evor.

Next from the Watties at 8500gns was Tonley Jackson Eric, a second prize April 2021-born entry out of Hallington Jubilee Eric, which has bred bulls to 11,000gns. John Coultrip, Wingfield, Stalisfield, Kent, was the final bidder.

Top price for the Campbell family’s Thrunton herd from Alnwick, was 15,000gns paid for Thrunton Prince, which is one of the first born by Tonley Kasper, an 11,000gns purchase three years ago, that is also sired by Tonley Jester Eric. The dam, Thrunton Paradise has produced progeny to 15,000gns. Third in his class at the pre-sale show, he sold to new pedigree breeders, Dan and Richard Spours of the Brownridge herd from Twizell, Belford, Northumberland.

The Campbells sold five bulls to average £10,752 then took 14,000gns for the second prize winner, Thrunton Premier from Alasdair and Graeme Fraser, Idvies Farms, Newton of Idvies, Forfar. This May 2021-born bull is again by the same sire, this time out of Thrunton Primadonna, which goes back to the 22,000gns, Hallington Edition.

Another Kasper son, Thrunton Picador, achieved 8500gns when the hammer fell to MBM Farms Ltd, Bilbster Mains, Wick, Caithness. Out of another Hallington Edition daughter, Thrunton Primula, this bull stood second in the pre-sale show.

David Ralston, Castlehill, Balmore, Torrance, gave the same money for the fourth prize, Thrunton Kasper. Similarly bred, this June 2021-born entry is out of Thrunton Rhapsody, which again goes back to Edition.

While the Blelack herd has been dispersed, the cattle live on, with Gabriella Massie of the Tillybin herd, Blelack, Logie Coldstone, selling Blelack Jumping Jackflash for 14,000gns to Brotherton Estates Ltd, Johnshaven, Angus. This similarly aged bull features the sire, Kilmaluag Eriskay onto Duncanziemere Jody that has bred bulls to 38,000gns.

Ayrshire breeders, Alistair Clark and sons Brian and Alistair, Cumnock, were in the money too, taking 14,000gns for their junior champion, Duncanziemere Edward, another June 2021-born bull. This youngster purchased by AM Shepherd, Orbilston, Fochabers, is a son of Auchincrieve Exodus – bought out of Carlisle for 13,000gns, and the sire of progeny up to 30,000gns – and out of one of the best breeding cows in the herd, Duncanziemere Edwina.

The herd sold six bulls to cash in at £9012.50, with another by the same sire, Duncanziemere Exodus, making 10,000gns to Mike and Melanie Alford of Staplegrove Livestock ltd, Foxhill farm, Blackborough, Devon. Intermediate champion at the pre-sale show, this April 2021-born entry is bred from Duncanziemere Ellen Erica which again goes back to Rawburn Jester Eric.

Duncanziemere Jetstream also made his mark for the Clarks when selling for 9500gns to JW Fullerton and Sons, Corsbie, Berwickshire. Fourth in his class, this similarly aged entry is backed by home-bred genetics being a son of Duncanziemere Jetstream, which sold last year here for 12,000gns while the dam, Duncanziemere Jody, is a maternal sister to the 30,000gns Duncanziemere Jacobite.

Tom and Jack Arnott, Haymount, Kelso, sold their best for 12,000gns. This came in the form of the August 2021-born bull, Haymount Exhibit, a red ticket holder from the pre-sale show and one of the first to be sold from Idvies Jordon Eric, whilst the dam, Haymount Ettresta, goes back to the show cow, Haymount Ettresta. He now travels south with Dallas and Ruth Allen, Humblehaugh, Alnwick.

It was another Tonley bull that produced Ken and Margaret Howie’s 11,000gns sale from Cairnton, Banchory, too. Tonley Egor, an April 2021-born entry and a red ticket holder at the pre-sale show, was bought as a calf for 1500gns. A son of Tonley Royal Legend, bred from Tonley Eyrie he was knocked down to GM Mitchell and Son, Fernie Mill C/O Hilton of Carslogie, Cupar.

Two bulls made 10,000gs, with the first being Idvies Baracus from Alasdair and Graeme Fraser. A son of Idvies Ferrari, a bull that stood supreme champion here in February 2018, he is out of Idvies Barbara Op, a daughter of the 32,000gns Rawburn Rommel. This red ticket holder found a new home with the Castle of Mey trust, Longoe, Mey, Thurso, Caithness.

The same home sold the March 2021-born, Idvies Blade for 9000gns to B and J Mackay, Skitton, Wick. A second prize winner, he is by the private purchase, Rawburn Lang Syne, who’s first three sons averaged £9500, and out of Idvies Babes.

The fifth prize winner, Idvies President, from the same home made 8500gns. Another by Ferrari, he is out of Idvies Privoda and now travels to Aberdeenshire with WAL Lawson, Scotsmill, Alford.

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Also hitting that 10,000gns price tag was the April 2021-born, Gordon E Type, from the Trustees of the late Gordon E Brooke, Earslton, brought out by John Elliot. The highest index bull in the catalogue, E Type is sired by Rawburn Makka Pakka, which has bred bulls to 15,000gns while the dam is the heifer, Linton Gilbertines Eston Anne. Daniel Whiteford of the Borewell herd, took this second prize winner home to Scremerston, Berwick On Tweed.

Best from Andrew Hodge and daughter, Emma Hodge, Rulesmains, Duns, was an 9000gns sale to Orkney with Liam Muir, Upper Onston for the third prize April 2021-born, Rulesmains Kasper. A son of 15,000gns Duncanziemere Judge, which was intermediate champion here in 2015, Kasper is bred from Rulesmains Kim.

Hamish Sclater’s Deveron Black Baron from Denhead, Turriff, achieved the same money. John Manning, Dirnanean, Enochdhu, Blairgowrie, got for his money a son of Rawburn Braw Lad, which has bred bulls to 11,500gns and females to 8000gns, while the dam, Glassel Black Beauty, goes back to Eastfield Jacobite.

Retties Le Rendezvous from Richard and Carol Rettie, Craigend, Methven, Perth, achieved 8500gns when finding a new home with B and J Mcenroe, Liss Bungalow, Oldcastle, Eire. Placed fourth in class, this former reserve senior champion at Stars of the Future Calf Show is also the past breed champion at LiveScot. July 2021-born bull, Le Rendezvous is by Duncanziemere Edwin and bred from Wall Lady Ruth.

Two bulls achieved 8000gns with the first being the July 2021-born, Kingholm Mister Asset from Matthew Currie, Skewbridge, Dumfries. A second prize winner, he is a son of Ribble Egma, out of Kinholm Miss Annie, and sold to Robin Orr and his daughter Caroline, Halbeath Farm, Dunfermline.

Having purchased the top priced lot, Andrew and James Adam, Newhouse of Glamis, Forfar, sold their best, Newhouse Eric, for 8000gns. This 18-month-old which stood first in his class, is a son of Hallington Edition and out of Tonley Emiline – a consistent breeder in the herd having bred sold sons to 9000gns. Eric sold across the water with S Allen, Strabane, Co Tyrone.

Just two females sold, with the section champion, Cairnton Pantene from Ken and Margaret Howie, Cairnton, leading the way at 4200gns. This was the 21-month-old heifer, Cairnton Pantene, a daughter of Cairnton Black Captain, out of previous home-bred Pantene. She sold in calf to Tonley Egor, which sold earlier for 11,000gns, to GE Tomilson, Red Robin Farm, Abbots, Bromley.

LEADING awards

Bulls born on or between Feb 11 to March 1 2021 – 1, senior and male champion – NA Wattie’s Tonley Endgame, by Tonley Jester Eric, 24,000gns to A and J Adam, Newhouse of Glamis, Forfar; 2, FJ Fraser and Son’s Idvies Blade, by Rawburn Lang Syne, 9000gns to B and J Mackay, Skitton, Wick; 3, JM Steel’s Westdrums Proud Irvin, by Hallinton Express, 7500gns to Straplegrove Livetock, Foxhill Farm, Devon; 4, GG McConachie’s Culfoichmore Rascal, by Blelack Lord Herbert, unsold; 5, JM Steel’s Westdrums Pavarotti, by Hallington Express, 5000gns to TN Cavers and Co, Sorbie, Langholm.

Bulls born on or between March 17-26 2021 – 1, reserve senior and reserve champion, NA Wattie’s Tonley King Paco, by Tonley Jester Eric, 16,000gns to JHC Campbell and Sons, Thrunton, Alnwick, and S and D Medley, Scalefoot, Whitby; 2, D Walker’s Galcantray Pagan, by Muirdean Genius, unsold; 3, A and P Davie’s Perkihill Black Prince, by Perkhill Eagle, unsold; 4, EM Campbell’s Kilmallie Kryptonite, by HF Rebel, 5500gns to R Messenger, Ayton, Abernethy; 5, A Mylius and Partners’ St Fort Equerry, by Tonley Paprika, unsold.

Bulls born on or between March 27 to April 4, 2021 – 1, NA Wattie’s Tonley Eyecandy, by Tonley Jester Eric, 14,000gns to W and R Dunlop, Hillhead, Auchengray, Carnwath; 2, NA Wattie’s Tonley Jackson Eric, by Tonley Jester Eric, 8500gns to J Coultrip, Wingfield, Kent; 3, D and P Murray’s Wolflaw Edward, by Belhaven Full Moon, unsold; 4, G and N Taylor’s Mosshall Red Grenadier, by Mosshall Red Ferdinand, unsold; 5, K and H Howie’s Cairnton Black Billionaire, by Cairnton Black Captain, 4800gns to GT and S Coghill, Muce, Orkney.

Bulls born on or between April 5-12, 2021 – 1, FJ Fraser and Son’s Idvies Baracus, by Idvies Ferrari, 10,000gns to Castle of Mey Trust, Longoe, Thurso; 2, Trustees of the late Gordon R Brooke’s Gordon E Type, by Rawburn Makka Pakka, 10,000gns to D Whiteford and Co, Borewell, Berwick on Tweed; 3, Ross Farm’s Roscoe Ethan, by Blelack Elation, 5000gns to P Tomlinson and Son, Sunnyside, Concett, Co Durham; 4, AR Lawson and Son’s Hallington Elder, by Hallington Lord Jim, 3500gns to WSL Muir, Upper Onston, Orkney; 5, FJ Fraser and Son’s Idvies President, by Idvies Ferrari, 8500gns to WAL Lawson, Scotsmill, Alford.

Bulls born on or between April 13-19, 2021 – 1, FJ Fraser and Son’s Idvies Dakota, by Thrunton Panther, 7500gns to Coull Farm, Lower Broadbridge, Heath; 2, HW Sclater’s Deveron Black Baron, by Rawburn Braw Lad, 9000gns to W Manning, Dirnanean, Blairgowrie; 3, A S Hodge’s Rulesmains Kasper, 9000gns to WSL Muir, Upper Onston; 4, A Clark and Sons’ Duncanziemere Jackal, 9500gns to JW Fullerton and Sons, Corsbie, Earlston; 5, D Walker’s Galcantray Edge, by Weeton Mr Edgar, 5500gns to Carrick Farms, Auchnacloy, Co Tyrone.

Bulls born on or between April 20 to 26, 2021 – 1, K and M Howie’s Tonley Egor, by Tonley Royal Legend, 11,000gns o GM Mitchell and Son, C/O Hilton of Carslogie, Cupar; 2, JR Galloway’s Cardona Esprit, by Cardona Jewel Eric, 6500gns to J Beveridge, Peattieshill, Leven; 3, JHC Campbell and Sons’ Thrunton Prince, Tonley Kasper, 15,000gns to SH Spours and Sons, Twizell, Belford; 4, J and L Doyle’s Drumhill Major Player, by Drumhill Lord Hatfield, 5000gns to J Smith, Laigh Borland, Kilmarnock; 5, Trustees of the late Gordon R Brooke’s Gordon Bon Accord, by Rawburn Java Eric, 4200gns to J Young and Sons, Castlemains, New Cumnock.

Bulls born on or between April 27 to May 6, 2021 – 1 and intermediate champion, A Clark and Sons’ Duncanziemere Exodus, by Auchincrieve, 10,000gns to Staplegrove Livestock, Foxhill, Devon; 2 and reserve intermediate champion, JHC Campbell and Sons’ Thrunton Premier, by Tonley Kasper, 14,000gns to FJ Fraser and Son, Idvies, Forfar; 3, MR McCornick’s McCornick Nightfall, by Blelack Evolve, 6200gns to I Forsyth, Aulton, Craigellachie, Banffshire; 4, MR McCornick’s McCornick Even Money, 4500gns to R and R Stevenson, Muirside of Kinneddar, Dunfermline; 5, G and N Taylor’s Mosshall Red Edinburgh, by ML Red Loaded, 4000gns to Lour Farms, Forfar.

Bulls born between May 7 to 14, 2021 – 1, AR Lawson and Son’s Hallington Whisky, by Tonley Kasper, 6500gns to FT Walson, Flotterton, Morpeth; 2, JHC Campbell and Sons’ Thrunton Picador, by Tonley Kasper, 8500gns to MBM Farms, Bilbster Mains, Wick; 3, Trustees of the late Gordon R Brooke’s Gordon Rubix, by Linton Gilberines Black Cognac, 5500gns to C and J Carmichael, Fiart, Isle of Lismore, Oban; 4, NA Wattie’s Tonley Veratti, by Tonley Jester Eric, 5000gns to A and I Dick, Kipperoch, Dumbarton 5, Mosston Muir Farm’s Mosston Muir Idaho, by Balmachie Ranald, 3000gns to Glenrinnes Farms, Dufftown.

Bulls born between May 18 and June 13, 2021 – 1, A Clark and Sons’ Duncanziemere Mr Bellman, by Auchincrieve Exodus, 6000gns to Scottish Government Bull Stud, Knocknagael, Inverness; 2, JR Galloway’s Cardona Edwin, by Stouphill Mr Peroni, 4500gns to JEM Vestry, Ormiston, Hawick; 3, J and L Doyle’s Drumhill Esteban, by Drumhill Lord Hatfield, 3800gns to GH Jones and Son, Bryn Mawr, Flintshire; 4, JHC Campbell and Sons’ Thrunton Rocket, by Tonley Kasper, 8500gns to DA Ralston, Castlehill, Balmore, Torrance; 5, Ballindalloch Home Farms’ Ballindalloch Equity, by Varis Punch, 4000gns to Messrs Pottinger, Thurso, Caithness.

Bulls born on or between June 14 to July 16, 2022 – 1 and junior champion, A Clark and Sons’ Duncanziemere Edward, by Auchinreieve Exodus, 14,000gns to AM Shepherd, Orbliston, Morayshire; 2 and reserve junior champion, A Clark and Sons’ Duncanziemere Jack, by Auchincrieve Exodus, 7000gns to I and A Burgess, Maryfield, New Abbey; 3, R and C Rettie’s Retties Lionheart, by Brailes Fabulous, 3500gns to WR and L Murray, Skate Farm, Mochrum; 4, K and M Howie’s Cairnton Ever Ready, by Cairnton Black Captain, 7000gns to Seafield Pedigrees, Attwell, Beoley Redditch; 5, Firm of G Gray’s Ettrick Goliath, by Linton Gilbertines, 5000gns to Tughall Grange Farm, Chathill, Northumberland.

Bulls born on or between July 17 to Aug 21, 2021 – 1, J and W Arnott’s Haymount Exhibit, by Idvies Jordon Eric, 12,000gns to WD Allen, Humblehaugh, Alnwick; 2, M and HD Currie’s Kingholm Mister Asset, by Ribble Egma, 8000gns to Halbeath Farm, Dunfermline; 3, D Evans’ Tree Bridge Eales, by Tree Bridge Paterson, unsold; 4, R and C Rettie’s Retties Le Rendezvous, by Duncanziemere Edwin, 8500gns to B and J Mcenroe, Oldcastle, Meath, Eire; 5, Firm of G Gray’s Ettrick Gregor, by Linton Gilbertines President, 4000gns to JA Park and Co, Drinkstone, Hawick.

Bulls born on or after Aug 22, 2021 – 1, A and J Adam’s Newhouse Eric, by Hallington Edition, 8000gns to S Allen, Strabane, Co Tyrone; 2, Trustees of the late GR Brooke’s Gordon Pistol Pete, by Rawburn Makka Pakka, unsold; 3, Trustees of the late GR Brooke’s Gordon Desmond, by Linton Gilbertines Black Cognac, 5000gns to P Alexander, Mains of Mause, Blairgowrie; 4, CD Timm’s Wensleydale Kracker, by Gretnahouse Blackboot, 4000gns to T Greer and Sons, Wharlawhill, Carnbo, Kinross; 5, MV Guttery and T Slater’s Oak Moor Lord India, by Wedderlie Osprey, 4500gns to WA Davies and Co, Manor Farm, Wenlock, Shropshire.

Heifers born on or after September 4, 2020 – 1 and female champion, K and M Howie’s Cairnton Pantene, by Cairnton Black Captain, 4200gns to GE Tomlinson, Red Robin, Abbots Bromley; 2 and reserve, NA Wattie’s Tonley Elma, by Tonley Ezra, 3700gns to C and C Jackson, Lancaster; 3, K and M Howie’s Cairnton Pantene, by Cairnton Black Captain, unsold.