15,000GNS MAISLEY RIP ‘TEARS IT UP’ AND LEADS RECORD SIMMENTAL MAY SALE TRADE AT STIRLING!

28 Simmental bulls average £9758, up by £963 on the year, for three more sold
£9758 is a new record Simmental average for the May Stirling Sale
Sixth consecutive year a new record Simmental average at this fixture
Eight Simmental bulls make 10,000gns and more
Clearance rate of 85%

‘May the 4th be with you’ was the theme of the day as Simmental bulls sold to a new record average at the May Stirling Simmental Sale at United Auctions, on Monday 4th May.

Maisley Rip 24 15,000gns

Leading the way, and tearing it up, was Maisley Rip from Michael Stronach, Maisley, Keith. This November born bull is by the noted Coose Lincoln EX 95, who has had sons up to 20,000gns, and is out of Maisley Fizz’s Martini VG 85. With terrific figures across the board, including a breed top 1% for Maternal (Milk), this bull went commercially when bought by Iain Johnston, Kirkton Farm, Falkirk.

Very much a front and centre part of the Islavale team, Michael Stronach established his own Maisley prefix, and with father Stewart offering him the pick of the heifers as a 21st birthday present. The wise choice saw him go for Islavale Fizz and with the Stirling sale topper Maisley Rip coming directly from that line! The 15,000gns is a top sale price to date for the Maisley prefix and with another bull aimed at the October Stirling Sale.

A good, working show of Simmental bulls averaged £9758, a new Simmental record average for this fixture. Eight bulls made 10,000gns and more, and with the 28 out of 33 sold realising a terrific clearance rate of 85%. Remarkably this is the sixth consecutive year in a row that a new record Simmental average has been set at this May fixture. Commercial producers once again underpinned the demand and when purchasing seven out of the eight five figure bulls.

Commenting after the sale, the British Simmental Cattle Society’s General Manager Iain Kerr said: “There’s a sustained demand for Simmental breeding from commercial producers at present, and it’s been great to see that continued at this May Sale and following on from February here at Stirling. On the day the good bulls in themselves with proven breeding behind them, combined with figures for milk and calving, were readily sold. This efficiency of the Simmental breed in what it offers maternally, and with the increased recognition of its terminal abilities in age at slaughter and daily carcase gain, is making a practical mark commercially. I’m really pleased for the breeders to see them sell more bulls on the year and to an increased average.”

Islavale Rafferty 24 14,000gns

Including the top price, a fine team of four bulls from the Stronach family all made over figure figures and averaged a terrific £13,650. Selling at 14,000gns was the December 2024 born Islavale Rafferty who had placed Reserve Supreme Overall and Junior Champion in the pre-sale show of bulls judged by Richard Rodgers of the noted Hiltonstown herd, Portglenone, Co Antrim. The second youngest bull in the catalogue, Islavale Rafferty is by Bighill Parker who has already had sons sell up to 15,000gns at Stirling in February this year.

Judge Richard Rodgers in action at Stirling

With a show record to boot, Rafferty was Senior Overall Champion at the Stars of the Future Calf Show in November 2025. Again with breeding and figures, Islavale Rafferty 24 is in the breed’s top 15% for Maternal (Milk), and also Eye Muscle Score.

This bull went to the well-known Keeldrum pedigree herd of David Lowry, Newsteadings Farm, Lanark. Commenting on his purchase Mr Lowry said: “I first saw this bull as a calf at the Stars of the Future Show in November and really liked him, and he’s grown on well since then. He’s a very breedy looking bull with a beautiful Simmental head. He’s got a super top, has plenty of width, and is very good on his feet and legs. Rafferty will now be the junior herd sire and will be used on Denizes Impeccable daughters.”

Islavale Raphael 24 12,500gns

Selling at 12,500gns was the first prize winner in the third class of the day, Islavale Raphael. This ‘eye catching’ November 2024 born bull is another by Coose Lincoln EX 95, and is out of the Curaheen Giant daughter Islavale Libby VG 89. Again with breeding and good figures, Raphael has a well above breed average Maternal (Milk) figure, and is in the top 10% for Eye Muscle Area. Buying this bull was Robert Bell & Partners, Craigo, Milnathort, Kinross.

Auchorachan Robbie 24 12,000gns

Selling at 12,000gns was the first prize winner and Reserve Senior Champion in the shape of Auchorachan Robbie 24 from D&R Durno & Sons, Glenlivet, Ballindalloch. A stylish, dark red bull, Robbie is sired by the 11,000gns Hemingford Nelson EX93, who is half-brother to the record breaking 56,000gns Hemingford Prince Charming, and is out of Auchorachan Madie GP 84, a Greencap Kane 19 EX 91 daughter. This bull went to Huntly when selling to J Hunter & Co, Braehead, Bainshole. A few lots later and the Duron’s confirmed a good day when selling another Nelson son, Auchorachan Redford for 8000gns to noted commercial producers Hamilton Organic Ltd, Aikengall, Dunbar.

Well House Rhythm is a dancer 24 10,500gns

Four bulls made 10,500gns. The first of these was early in the catalogue and in the form of the third prize winner Well House Rhythm Is A Dancer from M/S A&B Munro, Wellhouse Farm, Beauly. This upstanding bull is by Kilbride Farm Islander 17, and is out of Well House Jasmine 29th, a Blackford Island Rock daughter. Again with a well above average Maternal (Milk) figure, this bull was knocked down to J&J Marshall, Daleigh, Morayshire.

Woodhall Rancher 24 10,500gns

Also at this 10,500gns figure was the August 2024 born Woodhall Rancher 24 from F&J MacAskill, Woodhall Farm, Innerwick, Dunbar. This bull is by the privately purchased Mixbury Hall Magnus 21, a son of the noted Tilbrook Frank, and is out of Woodhall Ingrid, an Islavale Frontier 14 daughter. Another Simmental bull with good calving and maternal (milk) figures, Woodhall rancher 24 sold to the Borders and WW Dunlop & Son, Commonside, Hawick.

Westridge Remington 24 10,500gns

Enjoying a solid day’s trading was Ward Farms (Scotland), West Mains Farm, Carnwath, with their top priced bull being 10,500gns for the third prize bull Westridge Remington 24. October 2024 born, this bull is sired by Coltfield Maestro 21, and is out of Westridge Hawk Bess. With a very good Maternal (Milk) figure, Remington was bought by W&W Dawson & Sons, Whinbrae, Huntly. Another Coltfield Maestro son, Westridge Rio 24, a few lots earlier in the sale sold for 8200gns to T Howden & Sons, Balerno, Midlothian.

Islavale Rafiki 24 10,500gns

The final bull at the 10,500gns figure was another from the Stronach family in the shape of the fully homebred Islavale Rafiki. October 2024 born, Rafiki is by Islavale Echo 1 13 EX 92, and is out of Islavale Natalie 2, a Corskie Highlander daughter. Full of breeding and figures Islavale Rafiki is in the breed’s top 5% for Maternal (Milk), and top 10% for Calving Ease Direct, and Self Replacing Index. Buying this bull was GM Mitchell & Son, Hilton of Carslogie, Cupar, Fife.

Delfur Rolex 24 9500gns

Selling at 9500gns was the Reserve Junior Champion, Delfur Rolex 24 from Delfur Farms, Dundurcas Farm House, Rothes, Aberlour. With good Maternal (Milk) figures and strong Terminal and Self Replacing Indexes, Rolex is by the 28,000gns Islavale Magnum, and is out of Delfur Mystique, an Innerwick Ivor 17 daughter. Buying this bull was Farquharson Farms, Fyvie, Aberdeenshire. Another Islavale Magnum son, Delfur Romeo earlier made 7000gns when selling to F Bradley, Tillyminate, Huntly.

Another young bull at the 9500gns mark was Rockytop Rooster from Gary & Angela Christie, Birchfield, Glass, Huntly. Sired by Annick Manhattan 21, and out of Rockytop Tinka’s Geneva, this bull carried top 5% figures for Maternal (Milk), and top 10% Terminal Production, and Self replacing Indexes. When the hammer went down this bull was bought by RM Lamont, Creagmhor, Glenelg, Kyle.

Springfield Reeves 24 9000gns

Early in the catalogue, Gavin Brown, Penicuik, Midlothian, sold his powerful bull Springfield Jeeves for 9000gns. In the pre-sale show, this June 2024 bull had stood second in his class to the day’s Overall Supreme Champion. Described as “having fantastic length and shape from a calf, right through to present, and always carrying natural flesh,” Springfield Reeves was also +8 for Maternal (Milk). This bull was sold to the North of England and S Shell & Sons, Brandon, Alnwick, Northumberland.

RMS & ATD Pettit, The Den, Fochabers made 8500gns when selling Spey-Bay Rocky 24 for 8500gns to OF Adam, Highholm Farm, Dunfermline. A second prize bull to the Reserve Senior Champion, Rocky is another by Coose Lincoln EX 95, the sire of the day’s to price, and is out of Woodhall Wynn, a Corrick Kentucky Kid daughter. With breeding and figures, Spey-Bay Rocky is +13 for Maternal (Milk) putting him in the breed’s top 5%.

Islavale Rafferty & Delfur Rolex, Junior Championship

Robgill Rocky and Auchorachan Robbie, Senior Championship

Robgill Rocky & Islavale Rafferty, Overall Championship