30,000GNS GRANGEWOOD SUNDANCE KID TOPS STIRLING AS 71 SIMMENTAL BULLS AVERAGE £11,025!

71 Bulls average £11,025, ten more sold on the year
Simmental leads all-breed averages, numbers sold, and joint top price
£11,025 is second highest ever average at Stirling in October
26 make 10,000gns or more, with four at 20k and over
Commercial buyers go to 23,000gns
Ten bulls sell to the Scottish islands
Ten bulls sell to England & Wales
Simmental lead the all-breed averages at each of the three 2026 Stirling Sales

The Simmental Overall Supreme Champion, Grangewood Sundance Kid from Andrew, Yvonne & Callum Leedham, Boghead Farm, Tarbolton, Mauchline, sold for 30,000gns to lead another strong sale of Simmental bulls at United Auctions, Stirling on Monday 19th October.

Grangewood Sundance Kid 30,000gns

This March 2025 born bull, full of breeding and performance figures, is by the 16,000gns Overhill House Neil 22 EX 94, and is out of the Ranfurly Impeccable 14 17 (ET) EX 94 cow, Grangewood Nelly VG 87 from the herd’s noted Tollie female line.  Purchasing the top price bull was WJ & J Green, for their noted Corskie pedigree herd at Garmouth, Fochabers, Moray.

The judge Arthur Duff, left, with United Auctions Auctioneer David Brown.

At the pre-sale show held on Sunday 18^th October, Grangewood Sundance Kid, a heifer’s calf, had of course been crowned Overall Supreme Champion, and Intermediate Champion at the pre-ale show by judge for the day Arthur Duff of the noted Pitmudie herd at Menmuir, By Brechin, Angus.  Speaking afterwards of his choice of Champion, the judge said: “This was a very stylish Simmental bull with a lot of breed character and presence in the ring.  He had length, size, good width right through and over his plates down to his second thigh.  Very free moving with good feet and legs he was just something a wee bit different and is very much a breeder’s bull.”

For the Grangewood family of Andrew, Yvonne, & Callum, it’s been a tremendous sale year or two with some stellar highlights.  The 30,000gns top price matched the figure they achieved in February at Stirling which was a joint top price, and for another son of Overhill House Neil, Grangewood Romeo.  Back in 2012 the herd bred Grangewood Baron out of Highcroft Tollie 10^th and with that bull selling for 19,000gns.  The strength of that Tollie female line continues to be evident with Sundance Kid’s dam being a full sister to the 20,000gns Grangewood Platinum sold at Carlisle last year.  Commenting afterwards Andrew Leedham said:  “We’re absolutely delighted to achieve today’s top price with Sundance Kid and very pleased that he’s gone to such a top Simmental herd.  In breeding we’ve always got an eye on both the commercial and pedigree market and are looking to breed high end bulls that are correct, have style and presence, shape and muscle, will calve easily, and can do both the terminal and maternal job that Simmentals are so renowned for.”  On the day, the 50 cow Grangewood herd also sold Grangewood Sorrento 25, another Overhill House Neil son for 12,000gns.

Continuing the ongoing sustained demand for Simmental bulls the sale saw 71 bulls sell in all through the ring to average a mighty £11,025 which was the second highest ever all-breeds average at the Stirling October Sale, and following on from the record average set at last year’s fixture.  The Simmental breed again led the most number of bulls sold across the breeds, and the 30,000gns was the joint top sale price in the week.  In another mark, and for the first time, the Simmental breed has topped the all-breed averages at each of the Stirling Sale fixtures in 2026, and for the fourth consecutive round of Stirling Sales.

Islavale Stirling 28,000gns

The second top prize at 28,000gns was paid for Islavale Stirling from the prolific Islavale herd of WS Stronach, Berryleys Farm, Grange, Keith, Banffshire. This May 2025 born bull, who stood second to his stablemate in the youngest show class of the day is by Bighill Parker and is out of Islavale Kathy EX 92. Purchasing this bull was Richard McCulloch, Over Hill House, Armadale, West Lothian for his Overhill House herd, and in a partnership with Thomas Marshall, Starlaw Farm, Bathgate, West Lothian for his fledgling Starlaw herd.  Commenting on his purchase Richard McCulloch said: “I really liked this bull.  He’s well grown, has a lot of length and style, and moved really well on good legs. In the Overhill House herd I think he could really click with my Kilbride Farm Merlin daughters and put some real width into the progeny.  Bighill Parker and Corskie Highlander in the pedigree is something different for us and will bring new bloodlines to the Overhill House herd, and Thomas’s new Starlaw herd.”

Always bringing the goods to Stirling, another top lineup of Islavale bulls with a depth of pedigree, out of classified cows, and sporting some impressive performance figures across the traits, saw seven sell to gross £106,050, and average £15,150.  In addition to the 28,000gns, other Islavale bulls sold for: 16,000; 15,000; 13,000; 11,000, 10,000 and 8000.  Top work!

Newbiemains Sapphire 23,000gns

At 23,000gns was the much admired Newbiemains Sapphire 25 from Jim & Patricia Goldie, Newbie Mains Farm, Annan, Dumfriesshire.  In the pre-sale show this bull, described as ‘the best Newbiemains bull the herd has brought to sale to date’, had followed the Champion through to be Reserve Overall Supreme, and Reserve Intermediate Champion.  This February 2025 born bull is the first brought by the herd to sale by Islavale Jabba 18 (ET) EX 92 who was bred by the Stronachs, and purchased from the Springfield herd of Gavin Brown.  Sapphire 25 is out of Newbiemains Jem EX 93, a full sister to Newbiemains Solitaire who wis entered for the Next Gen VI Sale at Carlisle in December. Commenting on his Overall Reserve Supreme, the judge Arthur Duff said: “Just another tremendous Simmental bull.  Again, he had length, width right through, and with good plates.  He carried a lot of breed character and had good legs and feet.”  Arriving in Stirling with a show record, Newbiemains Sapphire 25 had stood as Overall Male Champion, and Junior Champion at this year’s Great Yorkshire Show.  Purchasing Newbiemains Sapphire was D Hamilton, Allanton Farming, Allanton, Darvel, Ayrshire.  At the corresponding sale last year the Newbiemains herd topped at 18,000gns and this year the Goldies sold five bulls including their top price and with others at 8000gns; 7000gns x 2; and 6800gns.

Popes Senator 22,000gns

A bull that caught a lot of attention, was the Reserve Junior Champion and first in class nine, Popes Senator 25 from Jimmy & Vikki Wood, Popes Farm, Clitheroe Road, Dutton, Preston, who made a mighty 22,000gns when selling to the noted Backmuir pedigree herd of Reece & Andrew Simmers, Backmuir Farm, Keith, Banffshire.  April 2025 born, this stylish bull is one of the first offered at sale by the 37,000gns Denizes Nugget, a Denizes Hamish son, and is out of Popes Nellys Gracious VG 85 from the herd’s highly noted Nellys female line.  The Popes herd sold further bulls on the day at 11,000gns; 8000gns; and 6000gns.

Garmouth Salvador 18,000gns

At last year’s corresponding sale, the Garmouth herd of Laura Green, Corskie Farm, Garmouth, Fochabers led the day at 30,000gns with a Rathnashan Magnum son who was Junior Champion.  Roll on twelve months and Laura was at it again when Garmouth Salvador 25, another Rathnashan Magnum son, won the Junior Championship and class eight, and sold for 18,000gns to commercial producers Messrs Glass & Smith, Mill of Fowlis, Muir of Fowlis, Alford, Aberdeenshire. Rathnashan Magnum was the sire of last year’s corresponding Overall Supreme and Reserve Supreme Champions and including the 30,000gns Garmouth Robert.  Garmouth Salvador’s pedigree goes back to the original cow in the herd Corskie Clover, who was given to Laura as a 15^th birthday present!  Salvador’s granddam, Garmouth Clovers Elderflower VG 87, was the first animal registered with the Garmouth herd prefix.  Commenting afterwards the buyers said:  “This bull had a tremendous size and length to him which we really liked.  We run 150 commercial cows comprising of Simm and Limousin crosses, and use Simmental, Limousin, and Charolais bulls.”

Innerwick Shaun 16,000gns

Three bulls made 16,000gns. The first of these was the third prize bull Innerwick Shaun from Dorothy Moffat, Innerwick, Dunbar.  Similarly bred to the 20,000gns Innerwick Royal Star sold in February, Innerwick Shaun is another son of the 17,000gns Wolfstar Jimmy Choo, and out of another Curaheen Gold Digger daughter, Innerwick Jess18.  Another high end bull to go commercially, Innerwick Shaun was shared between WJ Millar, Hunting Faulds Farm, Tealing, Dundee, and JC Millar Kinaniel Farm, Kingoldrum, Kirriemuir.

Islavale Sonic 2 16,000gns

Back to the Islavale team, and Islavale Sonic 2 25 (P), made 16,000gns when again going commercially to J Walker & Sons, Sauchenbush, Echt, Aberdeenshire.  This heterozygous polled bull, full of muscle, was one of the first at sale from the 10,000gns Incheoch Niko 22 (PP) VG 87, and is out of the Coose Lincoln daughter Islavale Topaz 20 GP 84.  Full of breeding and performance figures, Islavale Sonic 2 25 (P) is +19 for Maternal (Milk) the top value in the Simmental breed; is top 1% for 200 day weight; top 5% for 400, and 600 day weight; and top 1% for Eye Muscle Score!

Corskie Spencer 16,000gns

Bringing another outstanding team of Simmental bulls was the aforementioned Corskie herd of WJ & J Green, Garmouth, Fochabers, Moray.  Leading their line up was the powerful 16,000gns Corskie Spencer 25 who had stood third in his class to the day’s Overall Supreme Champion. This March 2025 born bull is another by the previously mentioned Rathnashan Magnum, and is out of a Dirnanean Bradley 10 EX 93 daughter Corskie Manya VG 86.  This boy went to the South West of Scotland when being bought by W Barbour, Carsegowan Farm, New Abbey, Dumfries.  The 16,000gns capped a terrific day’s trading for the herd that saw a very level pen of eight quality Simmental bulls gross £107,625.  In addition to the 16,000gns other leading prices included bulls at 15,000 x 2; 14,000 x 2;  and 12,000 x 2.  The Corskie team also scooped the Group of Three prize in the pre-sale show with three Blackford Mars 21 EX 94 sons for the second year in a row, and who went on to sell for 15,000gns, and 14,000gns x 2.  Speaking afterwards Iain Green said: “We’re delighted with how the Corskie bulls have sold today.  Our focus is very much on breeding bulls that meet the needs of commercial farmers and if we produce one that’s a breeder’s bull then that’s a bonus on top.  In type we’re looking to breed easy fleshing bulls that have power, scale, width, but are not extreme, and with good breed character.”

Corskie Solo 15,000gns

Corskie Serious 15,000gns

The first Corskie bull to make 15,000gns was the February 2025 born Corskie Solo 25.  Once again a Blackford Mars 21 EX 94 son, and out of Corskie Ni-Enna, a daughter of the proven sire Drumagarner Hughes, this bull went to Caithness when selling commercially to John M Sutherland, Sibmister & Stainland Farms, Thurso.  Also at the 15,000gns mark was the first prize winner in class three, and a part of the winning Group of Three, in the shape of Corskie Serious.  Again by Blackford Mars 21 EX 94, and out of the Auchorachan Farmer 14 daughter Corskie In A Flap EX 90, Corskie Serious 25 was knocked down to A Bell & Co, Towie Farm, New Aberdour, Fraserburgh.

Islavale Spenser 15,000gns

Back to the Islavale pen, and the March 2025 born Islavale Spenser sold for 15,000gns to JE & BL Goddard, West Logan, Castle Douglas.  With good figures for milk and calving ease, this bull had plenty of breeding behind him being by the increasingly prolific Coose Lincoln EX 95, and out of the qualified Simmental ‘Golden Cow’ Islavale Fashion EX 92.

Corskie Solar 14,000gns

Another of the winning Group of Three, and a second prize to the Reserve Senior Champion, Corskie Solar made 14,000gns.  Again with a depth of breeding behind him, this January 2025 born bull is another by Blackford Mars 21 EX 94, and is out of Corskie Jupiter VG 87, a daughter of the noted Bel Dhu Capercaillie 11.  Corksie Solar was knocked down to AH Smith, Low Arkland Farm, Castle Douglas. Low Arkland Farm runs a significant commercial herd of some 350 cows, and alongside a pedigree herd comprising of 20 females.  Commenting afterwards Mr Smith said:  “We really liked the look of this bull in the show ring, and he also had very good EBVs.  We’ve had a Corskie bull in the past and were keen to have another but bringing different genetics. The previous bull has thrown some really nice heifers so we wanted something special to cover them and are delighted to have got Corskie Solar.”

Corskie Sunnyd 14,000gns

Just three lots later, Corskie SunnyD 25, again by Blackford Mars 21 EX 94, and again part of the winning Group of Three, also made 14,000gns when selling to Orkney and SC Wood, Garson, Sandwick.  February 2025 born this bull, out of Corskie La-Enna VG 88 was a second prize winner at this year’s Royal Highland Show, and a maternal brother to the 26,000gns Corskie Prime sold in February 2025.  Corskie Sunny D was one of ten Simmental bulls to sell to the Scottish Islands.

Kilbride Farm Sergio 14,000gns

Two more bulls made 14,000gns, the first of these was the second prize winner in class five, Kilbride Farm Sergio 25 from WH Robson & Sons, Doagh, Ballyclare. This upstanding bull brough both power and top figures to the table.  Sired by Hiltonstown Lachlan, a trait leader for 400 and 600 day weight, he is out of Kilbride Farm Fanni 80M described as ‘one of the best young cows’ in the Kilbride Farm herd, and is a half sister to the 28,000gns Kilbride Farm Prince (PP). With top performance figures Kilbride Farm Sergio is top 1% for 200, 400, & 600 day Weight; top 1% for Maternal Cow Weight; top 5% for Maternal (Milk); top Value for Carcase Weight; and top 5% for Eye Muscle Score!  Buying this package of breeding and performance was JA Baxter, Troup Home Farm, Gardenstown, Banff.

Goldstar Sonic 14,000gns

It was a top Stirling Simmental Sale debut James & Claire Hodge, Ploughlands Farm, Dundonald, Ayrshire, when they realised 14,000gns for their April 2025 bull Goldstar Sonic.  April 2025 born, Goldstar Sonic is by Sterling Nelson 2nd, and is out of the Auchorachan Hercules 16 (ET) EX 92 daughter, Auchorachan Misty. Featuring figures as well as breeding, Goldstar Sonic is in the breed’s top 10% for 600 day weight, and top 20% for Eye Muscle Area. Purchasing Goldstar Sonic was another purchase by Reece & Andrew Simmers, Backmuir Farm, Keith, Banffshire for their noted Backmuir herd.

Another bull bringing a bit of a show record with him to Stirling was the Stronach’s Islavale Serbia who in August this year had placed as Overall Reserve Male Champion at the 2026 Scottish National Show held within the Black Isle Show.  April 2025 born, Islavale Serbia is another by Bighill Parker ET EX 90, and is out of the Corskie Highlander daughter Islavale Maddison VG 88.  When the hammer went down this bull was bought by J Milne & Son, Oldwhat Mains, New Deer, Turriff.

Corskie Stone 12,000gns

Also with a show record was another from the Green family in the shape of Corskie Stone 25 who made 12,000gns when selling to Orkney and J&R Stanger, South Seatter, Sandwick, Orkney.  Again by Rathnashan Magnum, and out of another Drumagarner Hughes 16 EX 92 daughter, Corskie Migem GP 82, Corskie Stone 25 had stood as Junior Male and Overall Junior Champion at this year’s Royal Highland Show.  Of this bull the purchaser’s said:  “He was a good-looking animal, with a lot of length, plenty of shape, and the colour which took my eye.  He had nice lines to him and plenty of character in his head.”  The Stangers run about 120 cross suckler cows and with the aim for Corskie Stone 25 being to use him for breeding high end females.”

Grangewood Sorrento 12,000gns

The aforementioned Grangewood Sorrento 25 from the Leedham family sold for 12,000gns when being bought by P McDiarmid & Co, Shenlarich, Lawers, Aberfeldy.  By Overhill House Neil, the same sire as the Champion and sale top price, Sorrento is out of Grangewood Nicole GP 84, a daughter of the herd’s noted stock sire Ranfurly Impeccable 14 17 EX 94.  Overhill House Neil was purchased for 16,000gns in May 2023 when he was the Simmental Overall Champion and led the all-breed prices.  His first four sons at the February sale this year averaged £18,000 whilst his two sons at this sale averaged £22,050.  Two of his six sons sold at Stirling to date have made 30,000gns.

Two further bulls made 12,000gns and including Corskie Surrender, yet another Blackford Mars 21 EX 94 son. Out of Corskie Negotiate VG 85, a Kilbride Farm Haka daughter, this bull with a +10 figure for Maternal (Milk) was bought by A Whiteford, Moulandale, South Keithney, Kemnay, Inverurie.

Bavington Rockefeller 12,000gns

The Overall Senior Champion and winner of the day’s first class came in the shape of Bavington Rockefeller from first time sellers at Stirling, JJ&JM Sanders, Bavington Hill Head Farm, Capheaton, Newcastle Upon Tyne.  This December 2024 born bull is sired by Hiltonstown Lorenzo originally sold at Stirling in October 2021 for 8000gns, and is out of Bavington Wednesday 3^rd, a Curaheen Diesel daughter.  Rockefeller was purchased by the judge Arthur Duff for the family’s noted Pitmudie herd at Menmuir, By Brechin, Angus.  Commenting on his Senior Champion, Arthur Duff said:  “This was a very balanced bull.  He stands square, is good on his legs and walked well, and has a lot of breed character.  We very much hope he’ll suit the Pitmudie females well.”

The entirely homebred Islavale Smirinoff 25 from the Stronach line up sold for 11,000gns to AR Bulmer, Coultas Farm, Great Habton, Malton, North Yorkshire.  Sired by Islavale McCoist 21 VG 89, this April 2025 born bull is out of the EX 92 classified Islavale Glee, a Curaheen bandit daughter.   Commenting, Alex Bulmer said:  “What caught my eye was the top line this bull had and the great set of plates on him.  The aim is to use him mainly in our commercial herd because of his plus figures for calving.  He very much looks like a “growy” young bull, so was bought on a mixture of vision and the great breeding behind him.  We’ve bought previously from the Stronachs and that bull did a great job for us.”

Popes Spartacus 11,000gns

Popes Spartacus 25, a second prize bull to his 22,000gns Reserve Junior Champion stablemate, also made 11,000gns.  With similar breeding to their day’s top price, this April 2025 born calf is by the 37,000gns Denizes Nugget 22 and is out of another from the Nelly breeding line, Popes Nellys Koko.  A bull with power and style, Popes Spartacus 25 was knocked down to Grove farms, Meikle Barncleugh, Irongray, Dumfries.

Delfur Supernova 11,000gns

Early in the sale, Delfur Supernova 25 made 11,000gns for Delfur Farms, Dundurcas, Aberlour.  In the pre-sale show this January 2025 born bull had stood second in his class to the Overall Senior Champion.  Again with plenty of breeding behind him, this bull is by the 28,000gns Islavale Supernova 25 and is out of Delfur Hells, a Clonagh Tiger Gallant daughter, and whose grand dam is Delfur Weigela E18 one of the most consistent breeders in the herd.  Taking this bull home was Wm Barnetson & Son, Lynegar Farm, Watten, Caithness.

Williams Slytherin 10,000gns

Three bulls made 10,000gns.  The first of these was Williams Slytherin which had come all the way from Norfolk and Mrs Hayley Clarke, Model Farm, Hevingham, Norwich.  With some terrific calving and milk figures behind him, this January 2025 born bull is by Annick Klondyke 19 EX 94, and is out of Williams Wilhemina’s Ginny EX 90, a Heathbrow Tristar daughter.  This bull went back to England when being bought by BJ Harding for his Hallway pedigree herd at Cornerfields Farm, Denholm, Bucks.  Speaking afterwards Lizzie Harding said:  “We saw this bull at home a couple of weeks ago and saw other calves on the ground by his sire Annick Klondyke 19 EX which we liked.  Slytherin has breeding we also like and different to what we currently have at home.  We buy visually but it’s a positive on top that he’s got good figures for both calving and maternal (milk). We’re very pleased to get him and he’s a bull we hope can help take the herd on another step.”

Backmuir Scooby Luu 10,000gns

Out of class three, Backmuir Scooby Luu 25 fom Andrew & Reece Simmers sold for 10,000gns to M Leslie, Keithmore, Dufftown, Keith, Banffshire.  With a tremendous depth of breeding behind this February 2025 born bull and a +10 for Maternal (Milk), Scooby Luu is one of the first sons of the 46,000gns Overhill House Neo 22 EX 93 to be offered for sale, and is out of the 18,000gns Brandane Lu Lu EX94 purchased at Next Gen II in 2022. Brandane Lu Lu bred Backmuir Rambo, this year’s Overall Simmental Champion, and Reserve Interbreed Champion, at the Royal Highland Show.

The third bull at 10,000gns was the heterozygous polled Islavale Sven 25 (P) from the Stronach’s line up.  Again one of the first polled sons to be offered at sale by the 10,000gns Incheoch Niko 22 (PP) VG 87, this April 2025 born bull is out of Islavale Nell, a Corskie Highlander 16 EX 93 daughter.  With top performance figures for calving, growth, and maternal (milk), Islavale Sven 25 (P) went south when being bought by the noted Wroxall herd of CH Evans & Son, Kington Grange Farm, Claverdon, Warwickshire.

Junior Championship presentation Garmouth Salvador and Popes Sentator

Senior Championship Bavington Rockefeller and Corskie Sunnyd

Championship presentation Grangewood Sundance and Newbiemains Sapphire

Group of three

Other Leading Prices Included:

9500gns Whitecairns Stoltman sold to A Nicolson, Relugas Mains Farm, Dunphail, Moray
9500gns Backmuir Seth sold to G T & S Coghill, Muce, Birsay, Orkney
9500gns Coltfield Sambo sold to D Bryce & Son, Cowden Farm, Stirling
9500gns Scotland Hill Superman sold to J Cameron, Balmacaan, Drumnadrochit, Inverness-shire
9000gns Tippetcraig Someboy sold to J Barton Jayne, Coleton Barton Farm, Kingswear, Dartmouth, Devon
9000gns Islavale Striker sold to A D Sutherland & Sons, Kellas Farm, Connachie, Elgin, Morayshire
8500gns Chestermann Sandy sold to John Mitchell & Co, Rumbletonrig, Greenlaw, Duns, Berwickshire
8000gns Shawsmill Saltire sold to E S & J S Huntley, Bryntail Farm, Rhydyfelin, Pontypridd, Mid Glamorgan
8000gns Jaw Steel sold to Scottish Government Bull Stud, Knocknagael, Inverness
8000gns Mixbury Hall Simba sold to C & M Bruce, Tillyeve, Udny, Ellon
8000gns Popes Supremo sold to W Mosley, Thorncliff, Chelmorton, Derbyshire
8000gns Islavale Stallone sold to G B Grieve, South Nittanshead, New Pitsligo, Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire
8000gns Newbiemains Stafford sold to A D Sutherland & Sons, Kellas Farm, Connachie, Elgin, Morayshire