Carlisle British Blue Bulls Peak at 16,000gns
2010-05-19

British Blue breeders enjoyed a bumper days trading at the Border British Blue Club’s Twentieth Annual Spring Show & Sale at Carlisle on Saturday 15 May. Top call of the day was 16,000gns and a further six bulls broke the five figure barrier.

There was exceptionally strong demand for the senior bulls which was reflected in the average of £5,085.65, with a strong commercial trade throughout the day and buyers keenly bidding on animals which met their criteria. There was an increased number of females offered for sale with maiden heifers averaging £3,241.60. The auctioneers worked tirelessly to maintain the trade throughout the day’s proceedings.

Robert Smith Photography & Video

The show and sale was kindly sponsored by Galloway & MacLeod, Paragon Veterinary and Norbrook Pharmaceuticals (Prize Money), British Blue Cattle Society and Border Club (Advertising).

The judge, Stephen Potter, Brookfield Herd, Westside, Topcliffe, Thirsk had the unenviable task of judging the 28 classes and championships the day prior to the sale. Stephen made some sound judgements as most of the top priced animals had been placed in their classes.

Before the Intermediate Champion was sold the auctioneer David Thomlinson auctioned a specially commissioned walking stick for a local charity. The walking stick had a British Blue bull carved on the handle and after much interest it was finally knocked down to Society President Ted Haste for £350.

The judge awarded the Intermediate Male, Overall Male and Supreme Championship to Derek & Maureen Gregory, Bosworth Lodge Farm, Husbands Bosworth, Lutterworth with Gregmaur Durkan, a June 2008 born son of Raciste Du Pachis A La Motte (IS) and out of a Hazelwood Freshman daughter Gregmaur Nula. Durkan was knocked down for 4,000gns to Messrs Raine & Davidson, Thorney Gale, Stainmore, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria.

The Junior Male, Reserve Male and Reserve Supreme Championship went to Bringlee Doctor Doolittle from JG Brindley, Lees Dairy Farm, Adderley, Market Drayton, Shropshire. This September 2008 son of Gamin Des 3 Frontieres (IS) and out of Bringlee Tandy joins the Tweeddale herd of A & GE Redhead, Bowsden Moor Farm, Bowsden, Berwick Upon Tweed for 5,500gns.

Gass Cheggers - 16,000 guineas

Trade topper at 16,000gns was the reserve senior male champion, Gass Cheggers, a December 2007 son of Gitan Du P’Tit Mayeur (IS) and out of Oxcroft Alice ET, from Andrew Kay, Gass Farm, Straiton, Ayrshire who was making his debut to Carlisle. Cheggers was successfully bought by RW & LA Jones, Lower Argoed Farm, Llandielo, Builth Wells, Powys.

The second prize winning bull from Danny & Jane Wyllie, Pessall Farm, Edingale, Nr Tamworth, Staffs secured the second leading bull price of 13,000gns. Tamhorn Dynamite a powerful 2 year old bull was keenly bid for but it was Harry Emslie Limousins, Kinknockie, Peterhead, Aberdeen who secured the final bid. Dynamite is a son of Ballygrange Alex who took the senior male championship the day before and out of Tamhorn Winifred ET.

The maternal brother to Ballygrange Alex was next in the price ratings at 12,000gns. Ballygrange Dudley ET, this second prize winning bull from Jim Sloan, 11 Ballyardle Road, Kilkeel, Co Down is from the Twyning Ash Vaughan and Ballygrange Roxy flush and also travels to Aberdeen this time for GP Smart & Son, Shiel Farm, Alford.

Two first prize winning bulls sold for 11,000gns the first through the ring was Dragon Blues David ET, from GW & K Williams, Tynllyn, Lampeter, this 2 year old black bull from the Dafydd D’Ochain and Hazelwood Petal ET flush has been shown three times and took 1st prize each time and has been used on a flushing program with the first calves due this summer. David was successfully bought by J Nelson & Son, Bull And Cave Farm, Clapham, Lancaster.

A few lots later, Richard Mowbray, 34 Droit Road, Newtonstewart, Co. Tyrone took first prize winning bull into the ring to secure the second 11,000gns bid for Droit Denver ET a 2 year old son from the Gitan Du P’Tit Mayeur (IS) and Annanwater Verona ET flush. Denver was purchased by Brian Hall, Ainstable Hall, Ainstable, Carlisle, Cumbria.

There were two lots sold for 10,000gns the first through the ring was Bringlee Derry ET from Graham Brindley, Lees Dairy Farm, Adderley, Market Drayton, Shropshire. Derry is a blue & white two year old son of the Gitan Du P’Tit Mayeur (IS) and Bringlee Tandy flush. This second prize winning bull was knocked down to Pedigree breeder Tim Mountford, Wetmoor Farm, Hartley Green, Gayton, Stafford to join his Hartley herd.

Matching that 10,000gns price was Bedgebury Dizzy Rascal, a June 2008 son of Wilodge Ulex (SR) ET and out of Wilodge Uptown Girl. Rascal was the single entry consigned by Andrew Price, 54 Bedgebury Close, Maidstone, Kent. This first prize winning bull was bought by P Teasdale, Crowhall, Bardon Mill, Hexham, Northumberland.

Also hitting the high spots at 9,500gns was a Dafydd D’Ochain bred son and first prize winning blue and white bull, Stonebyres Duke, shown by Border Club enthusiasts Blair & Shona Comrie, The Beeches, Stonebyres Mains Farm, Lanark. This eye-catching May 2008 bull bred from Inveresk Alice ET, a Baron sired cow, sold for a half share to JJ & E Lawson & Sons, Kirkland Green, Mealsgate, Carlisle, Cumbria and W & R Lawson, Stubbsgill Farm, Distington, Workington, Cumbria. The Comrie family also won the Border Club Special trophy for the highest priced animal owned by a member of the Club.

Leading the ladies was a first prize winning, senior maiden heifer Droit Davina ET out of the Dafydd D’Ochain and Woodview Alexis ET flush. Consigned by Richard Mowbray who had earlier success with his bull, Davina was finally knocked down for 9,500gns after much bidding to Eddie Lynch, Drumbannow, Loughduff, Co Cavan, Eire.

Malcolm Telfer & Helen Claxton, Newton High House, Stocksfield, Northumerland sold their fourth prize winning senior maiden heifer for 7,000gns. Newton Blues Dancer ET, an April 2008 daughter from the Danseur D’Embise (IS) and Widewath Venice ET Flush was successfully purchased by Messrs Alexander, 88a Gloverstown Road, Randalstown, County Antrim, N. Ireland.

Averages:

47 Senior Bulls £5,085.65
46 Intermediate Bulls £4,433.97
36 Junior Bulls £4,062.00
128 Bulls £4,540.64
1 Served Heifer £2,415.00
47 Maiden Heifers £3,241.60
4 Recipients with FOT calves or carrying embryo £3,150.00

Auctioneers: Harrison & Hetherington

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