Prices exceeded comprehension at United Auctions’ Stirling Bull Sales on Monday, which not only witnessed a new centre sale high of 30,000gns for a Charolais but also a 20,000gns breed record for a Salers.

Add a phenomenal demand for all breeds, which saw no fewer than 37 five-figure sales, and overall averages were well up on the year, with clearance rates of 100% for Simmentals, Aberdeen Angus and Salers.

Bombax United from Tom Smeaton and sons Grant and Mark, made 20,000gnsBombax United from Tom Smeaton and sons Grant and Mark, made 20,000gns Commenting on the sale, joint managing director John Roberts said: “It has been a fantastic sale and fantastic to see so much positivity, but, there was a great offering of bulls forward with a high level of quality and genetics.”

It was however the Charolais breed that led the way, securing the lead average of £11,481 for 38 and their second highest overall following the sale here in February.

Another from Hamish Goldie, Uppecrust sold for 17,000gnsAnother from Hamish Goldie, Uppecrust sold for 17,000gns It was also a Charolais from Hamish Goldie’s Dumfriesshire-based herd that smashed the previous record of 22,000gns achieved here last year by a Simmental from Michael and John Barlow’s Simmental bull.

Selling jointly to Perthshire breeders, Allen Drysdale of the Glenericht herd, Middle Drimmie and Robert Young, Mornity, was the December 2023-born Goldies Upperclass – a son of the 28,000gns Falleninch Stormzy. Reserve champion at the pre-sale show, he is out of the Gretnahouse Heman-sired Goldies Niece.

Goldies Unionjack also from Hamish Goldie made 20,000gnsGoldies Unionjack also from Hamish Goldie made 20,000gns Mr Goldie enjoyed the best trade of the day other Charolais bulls at 20,000gns, 17,000gns, 16,000gns and 13,000gns with his seven bulls averaging a colossal £17,175.

His 20,000gns bull, Goldies Unionjack, was also sired by Stormzy, but bred from the home-bred Uppermost daughter, Goldies Jinny of which a full sister sold for 10,000gns. Unionjack sold to Bill Bruce, Balmyle, Perth.

Islavale Pilot from Stewart Stronach and family was knocked down at 12,000gnsIslavale Pilot from Stewart Stronach and family was knocked down at 12,000gns Another by Stormzy, Goldies Unstoppable, made 13,000gns to Messrs Rhindu, Chapeltown, Glenlivet.

Earlier Goldies Uppercrust, a full brother to the 26,000gns Goldies Romeo sold here in October 2021, made 17,000gns to James Brown, Cardon Farm, Broughton, Biggar. His pedigree features Gretnahouse Heman and Goldies Marion.

Stewart Stronach and family's Simmental champion, Islavale Pegasus made 12,000gnsStewart Stronach and family's Simmental champion, Islavale Pegasus made 12,000gns And, making 16,000gns to JO and R Struthers, Greenbank, Cobbinshaw, West Calder, was the Caylers Rocky son, Goldies United. His dam is the Gretnahouse Heman daughter, Goldies Sarah.

Outwith the Goldies bulls, Charolais sold to 20,000gns for Bombax United, a November 2023-born son of the 24,000gns Harestone Ronaldinho from Forfar breeders, Tom Smeaton and sons Grant and Mark. Producing a personal best for the family, this second prize winner was knocked down to George Wordie, Cairnborrow, Huntly. Brought out by Kim Brown, United is out of Bombax Macey, a Blelack Imperialist daughter.

Delfur Prince from Delfur Farms sold for 15,000gnsDelfur Prince from Delfur Farms sold for 15,000gns Another Ronaldinho son from the same home made 12,000gns selling to Frazer Goldie, Yondercroft, Darvel. Bombax Upshot is out of a home-bred Westcarse Houdini daughter.

The Charolais champion, selected by Orkney judge Magnus Baillie, made 15,000gns. That was Ouston Unwin, bred by Ouston Farms, Tyne and Wear, but consigned by freelance stockmen Richard and Carol Rettie, Dyke Farm, Slamannan. Their rising two-year-old, is by the French sire Major and out of Ravensworth Jasmin, a Thrunton Florida daughter. He headed home with Willie Stevenson, Auchenflower, Ballantrae.

Pitgaveny Presto from Pitgaveny Farm went under the hammer for 13,000gnsPitgaveny Presto from Pitgaveny Farm went under the hammer for 13,000gns Matching that price was the Campbell family’s Thrunton Ultrabrite, from Thrunton, Alnwick. He is the first son sold by the 26,000gns Rutherston Sonny, and out of Thrunton Marguerita. Peter Donger of the Seawell herd, Foxley, Northants was the final bidder.

Mr Donger also went to 13,000gns for Neil and Stuart Barclay’s Harestone Unionjack, a son of the French bred, Harestone Romeo out of a home-bred Thrunton Fearless daughter.

Rednock Top Gun from Gill and Malcolm Pye sold for a Salers breed record of 20,000gnsRednock Top Gun from Gill and Malcolm Pye sold for a Salers breed record of 20,000gns The reserve Charolais, Silvermere Vortex, a Wesley Equinox son from Michelle Hanson and Darren Irvine, Upper Drakemyres, Keith, made 14,000gns to JA Wilson and Son, Kinclune, Glenkindie. This AI son of Wesley Equinox is a heifer’s calf, out of the Allanfauld Neptune daughter Silvermere Solitaire.

Trade held up right to the end, with the youngest Charolais, Endrick Vulcan from Louise McArthur, Cretlevane, Balfrom, making 13,000gns to Colin Macmillan, Tallant, Islay. This Harestone Rockafella son out of Mortimers Pachamama was reserve junior male champion at the Stars of the Future show in November.

Anside Urban shown by Martin and Mel Irvine topped the Limousins at 22,000gnsAnside Urban shown by Martin and Mel Irvine topped the Limousins at 22,000gns

Limousin leaders

Limousin breeders, Steven and Denise Irvine, son Martin and his wife Mel, of the Anside herd, Keith, also had a bumper trade selling bulls to 22,000gns to average £15,619 for four.

Dearest was Anside Urban purchased by Richard Priestley buying for the Brontemoor herd based in Brampton, Cumbria. The bull is an AI son of Plumtree Fantastic, with the dam being Anside Solero.

Alan Shennan, Farden, Girvan, bought another Plumtree Fantastic son from the Anside herd at 13,000gns. This was Anside UFC which is a maternal brother to the 8000gns Anside Tron sold here last year, being bred from Anside Phantazia.

Superseding that price, the Irvine’s reserve junior champion, Anside Uian made 15,000gns. A heifer’s calf bred from Anside Ripple, he is sired by Grahams Rooney and sold to W Steel and Co, Cumberhead, Lesmahagow.

Keeping it in the family, Hamish Goldie’s brother Bruce also had a good day with his Goldies Limousin herd with two bulls at five figures.

Dearest at 15,000gns was Goldies Uno, a Woodmarsh Regent son out of Goldies Osogood. He also headed home with Alan Shennan, Farden.

Another by Woodmarsh Regent, Goldies Uniroyal made 14,000gns selling to John and Margaret Penny, buying for their Shannas herd from Peterhead. The dam is Goldies Dame

Donald MacGregor’s Dyke bulls from Milton of Campsie, brought out by herdsman John Duncan, were topped at 12,000gns by Dyke Uluru, a Goldies Lordoftherings son out of the Goldies-bred cow Prettygirl. He sold to J and JP McCall, Blinkbonny, Fife.

Matching this price was Ian and Andrew Nimmo’s Maraiscote Uttoxeter from Newmains, Wishaw. Sired by Bassingfield Machoman and out of Maraiscote Nemma, he was knocked down to Mark Meldrum from Shenval, Ballindalloch.

Allan Campbell, Strawfank, Carnwath, also took 12,000gns for Strawfrank Ullman, a Ionesco-sired bull, purchased by T and J Leslie, Quoymor House, Shapinsay. Brought out by Taylor Holloway, the dam is Strawfrank Rihanna.

Thrunton Puma from the Campbells sold for 12,000gnsThrunton Puma from the Campbells sold for 12,000gns

Salers record at 20,000gns

A flying trade for Salers bulls saw four bulls hit the magical five-figure bracket with a 20,000gns record paid for the pre-sale champion Rednock Top Gun from Gill and Malcolm Pye, Port of Monteith.

Brought out by stockman Alfie McGregor, the bull beat the previous record of 15,000gns paid for Bacardi Legend at Castle Douglas in 2017. Top Gun is sired by the French bull Senateur, which has already bred sons to 11,000gns for the herd while the dam is the Rigel Officer daughter Rednock Coco. He was bought by Peter Donger of the 170 strong Seawell Salers herd, Northants.

Senateur also bred the reserve champion for the Pyes, in the form of Rednock Topol which made 14,000gns to DA Baird and Sons, Easter Clunie, Ninewells. His dam is Rigel Cindy which also bred Rednock Panther, a former Highland Show champion.

Brothers Tom and Ian Walling of Farmstock Genetics, Over Whitelaw, Selkirk, also achieved a personal best in the sale ring when their Parkfield Polled Nobel-sired Cumbrian Trevor Poll made 15,000gns, selling to Rannagulzion Farms, Blairgowrie.

Tom said: “I have been waiting for a day like this with Salers for a long time,” adding that their late father, Brian, was the first person to import the breed into the UK some 40 years ago. as this year is al being the 40th anniversary of the brothers’ father Brian importing Salers over to the United Kingdom from France.

Blelack Hill Black Jester from Rob Calcott realised 12,000gnsBlelack Hill Black Jester from Rob Calcott realised 12,000gns

Simmentals

Simmental breeders achieved a record May average for the fifth consecutive year at Stirling, having sold to a top of 15,500gns for Delfur Price 23, one of the first bulls sold by the 28,000gns Islavale Magnum from Delfur Farms, Rothes.

Delfur Farms which is managed by Garry Patterson, had a field day, selling three of the seven five-figure priced bulls. Their other two bulls, another by Magnum and one by Banwy Bonzo, both made 10,000gns. Their sale leader is an embryo-born calf bred from Delfur Hells, a Clonagh Tiger Gallant daughter, and sold to Dorothy Moffat of the Innerwick herd, Dunbar.

Islavale bulls were also behind the remainder of the five-figure priced Simmentals. Second top amongst the breed was a 13,000gns sale for Pitgaveny Presto, a son of the 14,000gns Islavale Kristoff from the Elgin-based herd managed by Geoff Anderson. He is out of Pitgaveny Jingle which has bred sons to 6500gns and sold to G and M Porter, Carrabus, Islay

Stewart Stronach and family’s Islavale herd came up with the goods too when their champion and reserve winners both made 12,000gns with both being sired by the retained Islavale Lucifer Ex93. Champion was Islavale Pegasus, a son of Islavale Damaris 12 Ex92, which sold to regular buyer Liam Muir, Upper Onston, Stromness, and for a client in Caithness with a commercial suckler her of 120 cows.

Reserve was Islavale Pilot, out of Islavale Candy 4 Ex92, bought by J and J Marshall, Grantown on Spey, Morayshire.

Coxhill Talisman from Lucinda Townsendsold for 8500gnsCoxhill Talisman from Lucinda Townsendsold for 8500gns

Angus clearance

A top price of 12,000gns was seen twice amongst the Aberdeen Angus.

First was Campbell family’s Thrunton Puma Z748, a Tonley Kasper U512 son out of Thrunton Polly R917, bought by Gordon Fisher, Hawick, Roxburghshire.

Minutes later, Blelack Hill Jester Z052 from Robert Calcott, Blelack, Aboyne matched the 12,000gns sale. He is sired by Tonley Jester Eric, out of Blelack Blaeberry R604, and was purchased by the Scottish Government Bull Stud, Inverness.

Two bulls from Neil and Mark Wattie’s Tonley herd from Mains of Tonley, Alford made 11,000gns to include the champion Tonley Victor Z053. He is sired by Gretnahouse Krack Light, out of Tonley Vine W731 and headed home with J Price, Cairneydrouth Farm, Dumbarton.

Also selling at 11,000gns was Tonley Electric Z116, by Saville Endeavour and out of Tonley Emily N987. He goes for commercial work with R Forrest, Preston, Duns.

Champion Beef Shorthorn, Drumsleed Triton from Gerald and Morag Smith made 8500gnsChampion Beef Shorthorn, Drumsleed Triton from Gerald and Morag Smith made 8500gns

Shorthorns to 8500gns

A steady trade was achieved amongst Beef Shorthorns which sold to 8500gns twice,

First to reach that money was Drumsleed Triton a red and white bull from Gerald and Morag Smith’s 16-cow herd from Drumsleed, Laurencekirk. Triton is by Coxhill Pierce, out of the Knockenjig Glenfiddich-sired Drumsleed Pippa and sold to G and A Milne, Durris. The Smiths also produced the champion, Drumsleed Thor, which made 7000gns to the Scottish Bull Stud.

The reserve champion from Upsall Castle Farms, Thirsk also made 8500gns. Trade Mark of Upsall, a Nelson of Upsall son out of Nonpareil X928 of Upsall, was brought out by George and Maureen McCulloch and sold to T Walker, Newton of Mountblairy, Eden.

Olrig dispersal

Top price at the Olrig dispersal from the Morris’ was 8500gns paid for the Charolais bull, Olrig Vimto, a Gretnahouse Thanos son, purchased by A and J Craig, Craigton, Castle Douglas.

Other Leading Prices

Charolais – 11,000gns – AJR Farms’ Newlogie Utwo, by Maerdy Morwr, to J Melville, Ardwell, Girvan; Michelle Hanson’s Silvermere Ultimate, by Falleninch Memo, to Messrs Forbes, Little Kildrummie, Nairn; JHC Campbell and Sons’ Thrunton Urien, by Baillieston Orcadian, to D and J Peebles, South Baldutho, Pittenweem, Fife; Audrey Anderson’s Rutherston Uno, by Balmyle Oscar, to A Shand, Cortiecram, Auchnagatt.

10,500gns – R McNeill’s Douneside Vesca, by Tonley Ranald, to WR Kirk, Hall of Drumpark, Irongray, Dumfries.

10,000gns – JHC Campbell and Sons’ Thrunton Upshot by Baillieston Orcadian, to P and M Watson, Darnford Mains, Banchory; DK Timm’s Wensleydale Unit, by Balthayock Nominee, to A and W Orr, Mossplatt, Cleghorn; J Irvine and Son’s Inverlochy Unionjack, by Caylers Napoleon, to A and J Craig, Craigton, Castle Douglas.

Limousins – 10,000gns – J Nimmo’s Maraiscote Ultravox, by Morhan Peter, to W Russell and Son, Bankhead, Carnwath.

Salers – 11,000gns – Rigel Pedigree’s Rigel Trenwith Poll, by Lascaux, to the Scottish Bull Stud, Inverness.

Simmentals – 10,500gns – J and E Aitken’s Dunmore Peter, by Clonagh Tiger Gallant, to Nunappleton Estate, Roebuck, York. 10,000gns – Delfur Farms’ Delfur Prime Time, by Islavele Magnum to J Forbes, Auchnacloich, Latheron, Caithness; Delfur Farms Partyboy, by Banwy Bonzo, to G and AG Proctor, Balnageith, Forres.

Aberdeen-Angus – 10,500gns – AN Calcott and Son’s Blelack Hill Pluto, by Kilmaluag Eriskay, to Scottish Bull Stud. 10,000gns – J and L Doyle’s Drumhill Pure Contemporary, by Saville Big Man, to D Walker, Galcantray, Cawdor, Nairn; June Barclay’s Harestone Blackjack, by Blelack Prince Colorado, to J and R Stanger, South Seatter, Sandwick, Orkney.

Averages: Bulls – 38 Charolais, £11,481 (+£4692, 86% clearance); 25 Simmentals, £8795 (+£2075, 100%); 21 Aberdeen Angus, £8325 (+£3030, 100%); nine Salers (£10,663 (+£3435, 100%); 13 Beef Shorthorns, £6647 (+£609, 68%); 39 Limousins, £8901 (+£2201, 93%).

Auctioneers: United Auctions