by Iain | May 20, 2025 | 2025 Northern Ireland News, 2025 Balmoral Show, 2025 News, 2025
Ranfurly Weikel 56th Reserve Supreme, and Junior Champion
Lisglass Real Deal wins Male Championship
The sun shone on the Simmental breed and the first calved heifer Ballinalare Farm Nikita from Joe & Alan Wilson, Newry, who with her twin calves at foot, strode to a historic third consecutive Overall Simmental Supreme Championship at the RUAS Balmoral Show, Balmoral Park, Lisburn on Wednesday 14th August.
It was very much a win for the ages and which has seen this February 2022 born Simmental female win as a maiden heifer, in-calf heifer’ and now as a first calved heifer. Sired by the prolific Saltire Impressive and out of Ballinalare Farm Ilyssa, a Denizes Fantastic daughter and herself a twin to a female, Ballinalare Farm Nikita ‘wowed’ the crowds as she walked the lawns with her twins at foot.
2025 RUAS Balmoral Show Overall Simmental Supreme Champion, Ballinalare Farm Nikita
Judge for the day was Michael Durno of the noted Auchorachan herd, Glenlivet, Banffshire, and who was quick to praise his choice of Champion: “Ballinalare Farm Nikita is a female with tremendous conformation and has all the typical Simmental attribute including of course, plenty of milk. As we’ve seen today she’s a calved heifer doing her twin calves extremely well and which is great to see in the show ring. She has tremendous length to her, is full of breed character including a really good Simmental head.”
Following the judging a delighted Joe Wilson said: “We’ve always thought Ballinalare Farm Nikita is a tremendous heifer but could never imagine that she would win Balmoral Show three years in a row. She was scanned in calf, but not with twins so when they appeared that was really unexpected. With her to win today with her calves at foot is very special.” Remarkably this is the second time the Wilsons have completed this show hat trick with a homebred animal having previously done so with Ballinalare Farm Money Penny between 2004-2006! Come the Interbreeds and Ballinalare Farm Nikita stood Overall Second Reserve in the Individual Supreme featuring all of the breed champions.
2025 RUAS Balmoral Show Simmental Judge Michael Durno in action
Already with a glittering show career behind her Ballinalare Farm Nikita has these three Balmoral Show wins, and two consecutive wins at the NI Simmental National Show. All eyes will be on that event later this summer as Nikita takes aim at the double-hat trick!
2025 RUAS Simmental Championship Line Up featuring Ballinalare Farm Nikita, and Ranfurly Weikel 56th
Taking the Overall Reserve, Reserve Female, and Overall Junior Champion was Ranfurly Weikel 56th R5 from the 17-cow Ranfurly herd of WD & JD Hazelton, Cohannon House, Dungannon. March 2024 born, this heifer is by the 20,000gns Annick Talisker, and is the second calf out of the Team Celtic 11 daughter Ranfurly Weikel 37th L3 ™ VG 87. The Weikel family was founded in 2003 with the impromptu purchase of South Park King Kong Weikel 2nd , and is described as being ‘without doubt the most successful female line at Ranfurly’. At last year’s show another from the same line, Ranfurly Weikel 52nd won the Reserve Junior Champion.
Reserve Overall Supreme, Junior Champion, and Reserve Overall Female, Ranfurly Weikel 56th
Commenting on his Overall Reserve Champion, the judge Michael Durno said: “This is just a sweet, flashy heifer, very correct, full of style and ‘look at me.’ She came through a class where first to third were outstanding heifers. This young heifer has all the attributes to go on and become a tremendous Simmental breeding female.” Again featuring in the Interbreeds, Ranfurly Weikel 56th R5 went on to place Overall Reserve in the Interbreed for Performance Recorded Heifers.
Standing second in its class to the Ranfurly heifer, and following her through to lift the Overall reserve Junior Championship was another classy heifer in the shape of Breaghey Vida-R536 from Andrew Clarke, Tynan, Co Armagh. This March 2024 born heifer is another by Saltire Impressive and is out of Breaghey Vida 1 (TF), a Dermotstown Delboy (ET) EX92 daughter. At last year’s NI Four Breed Calf Show, Breaghey Vida-R536 teamed up with her stablemate Breaghey Vida-R454 (who stood third in the same class at Balmoral), to win the Pairs Championship. In a nice little aside, Vida-R536’s dam, Breaghey Vida 1 and her twin sister, were born on Andrew and Zara’s wedding day back in 2016. Since then she has gone on to breed Breaghey Lord Enniskillen, the Champion at the NI 50th Anniversary Sale in 2021; and she has bred both a Male, and a Female Champion for the Breaghey herd at Society Sales in Dungannon. For good measure her twin sister Breaghey Vida 2 bred Breaghey Netflix, the highest priced Simmental bull sold at sale in Northern Ireland in 2024!. This very successful cow family for the Breaghey herd stemmed from one of the herd’s foundation cows Corrick Vida who was Champion in Dungannon in the Spring of 2009.
Breaghey Vida 1, Reserve Junior Champion
Turning to the bulls and it was another Male Championship win for the 35-cow Lisglass herd of JL & CJ Weatherup, Irish Hill, Ballyclare, Co Antrim, with the aptly named Lisglass Real Deal 24. Continuing a theme, this September 2024 born bull is by Saltire Impressive, and is third calf out of the Dermotstown Delboy (ET) EX92 daughter Lisglass Klassy. Showing plenty of fortitude and get up and go, shortly after calving and bonding with mum, Chris Weatherup quietly thought ‘wow, you really are the real deal’ and the name stuck. Commenting, Chris Weatherup said: “He’s a calf that’s continuing to go on strong. He’s done well all winter, just hasn’t looked back, and has a lovely temperament. He’s a bull that we’ll look at taking to a forward Stirling Sale.” The win secured a two-in-a-row for the herd who won the Male Championship at Balmoral Show last year with Lisglass Prince and who was subsequently sold to AJR Farm in Scotland. Another good day’s showing this year saw the Lisglass herd also win two of the heifer classes with Lisglass Panache, and Lisglass Rose.
Of his Male Champion the judge Michael Durno said: “This is a very correct young bull with great lines, and I’m sure he’s got a real future ahead of him. A young calf he’s well grown for his age, has length, is very clean, and has a nice turn of hind quarter.”
2025 RUAS Balmoral Show Simmental Male Champion, Lisglass Real Deal
Lifting the Reserve Male Championship was the shapely Haystar Romeo 24 from G Hayes & Son, Upper Ballinderry, Lisburn, Co Antrim, and in what was a first time showing at Balmoral for Kyle Hayes. Earlier in the day this March 2024 born calf had won his class in front of his team mate Haystar Revolver (the Junior Champion at the 2024 NI Simmental Club Calf Show). Haystar Romeo is by the AI sire Auchorachan Hercules 16 (ET) EX 92, and comes from ‘a tremendous bloodline’ being out of Raceview Lady W Nicolette, a Kilbride Farm Delboy 12 daughter. Of Haystar Romeo 24, Gavin Hayes said: “Romeo is a stylish, well-muscled bull, and one of the best we’ve bred to date. We’ll probably show him at the NI National Show, and then will aim him at Stirling.”
Haystar Romeo, Reserve Male Champion, 2025 RUAS Balmoral Show
Speaking to this bull the judge said: “A bull with plenty of muscle, he’s a tremendous terminal, carcase type Simmental, and with all the potential to go on to be a top end commercial bull at the least.” The Haystar herd presently comprises of seventeen cows.
Winning the Pairs Championship was Nigel Glasgow, Cookstown, Co Tyrone with the August 2023 born heifer Bridgewater Farm Wisteria 4th, a Simply Like A Legend 20 (ET) daughter; along with Bridgewater Farm Rocky, a July 2024 born bull by Ranfurly Klinker 19.
Simmental Pairs Champions Bridgewater Farm Wisteria 4, and Bridgewater Farm Rocky
2025 Balmoral Show Simmental Results
Cow in calf or in milk having had calf by age of three years
1st J & A Wilson 145 Ballinalare Farm Nikita
Heifer born on or after 1st July 2023 and on or before 31st Dec 2023
1st JL & CL Weatherup 150 Lisglass Panache
Lisglass Panache
2nd J N Glasgow 148 Bridgewater Farm Wisteria 4
3rd JL & CL Weatherup 149 Dermody Royal Lucy
4th S P Macdonald 147 Coolcran Lady Penelope
HEIFER, born on or after 1st January 2024 and on or before 30th April 2024
1st WD & JD Hazelton 154 Ranfurly Weikel 56th R5
2nd Andrew Clarke 155 Breaghey Vida-R536
3rd Andrew Clarke 156 Breaghey Vida-R454
Breaghey Vida R454
4th Mr W J Dodd 152 Craigy Beatrice R1
5th Mr W J Dodd 151 Craigy Beatrice R2
HEIFER, born on or after 1st May 2024 and on or before 31st December 2024
1st JL & CL Weatherup 158 Lisglass Rose
Lisglass Rose
2nd J & A Wilson 157 Ballinalare Farm Ritz
Bull, born on or after 1st January 2024 and on or before 30th April 2024
1st G Hayes & Son 160 Haystar Romeo 2024
2nd G Hayes & Son 161 Haystar Revolver 2024
Bull, born on or after 1st May 2024 and on or before 31st December 2024
1st JL & CL Weatherup 165 Lisglass Real Deal 2024
2nd G Hayes & Son 162 Haystar Round One 2024
3rd Mr J N Glasgow 163 Bridgewater Farm Rocky 2024
Pair of animals, bona fide the property of one exhibitor and entered in the classes for which they are eligible
1st Mr NJ Glasgow Bridgewater Farm
2nd JL & CL Weatherup Lisglass
3rd G Hayes & Son Haystar
Supreme Champion
Ballinalare Farm Nikita J & A Wilson
Reserve Supreme Champion
Ranfurly Weikel 56th R5 WD & JD Hazelton
Junior Champion
Ranfurly Weikel 56th R5 WD & JD Hazelton
Reserve Junior Champion
Breaghey Vida-R536 Andrew Clarke
Female Champion
Ballinalare Farm Nikita J & A Wilson
Reserve Female Champion
Ranfurly Weikel 56th R5 WD & JD Hazelton
Male Champion
Lisglass Real Deal 2024 JL & CL Weatherup
Reserve Male Champion
Haystar Romeo 2024 G Hayes & Son
by Iain | May 12, 2025 | 2025 Scottish News, 2025 News, 2025 Carlisle Sales, 2025
20,000gns Grangewood Platinum equals Simmental bull record in England
New Simmental centre record average at Carlisle of £9788 (+£5,185)
7 bulls sell at 10,000gns or more
100% clearance of bulls
Breed records tumbled again at Borderway Mart, Carlisle on Saturday 10th May as a sizzling Simmental trade was led by the 20,000gns Grangewood Platinum from Andrew, Yvonne, & Callum Leedham, Boghead Farm, Tarbolton, Ayrshire.
September 2023 born, Grangewood Platinum 23 is a son of Ranfurly Impeccable, and out of Grangewood Tollies Iris. Earlier in the day this bull, with solid figures across the traits and top end Terminal and Self Replacing Indexes, had stood first in his class in the pre-sale show judged by Aled Davies of the noted Hirwaun herd, Wern Villa, Ponthirwaun, Ceredigion.
20,000gns top price Grangewood Platinum
Come sale time a packed ringside saw Grangewood Platinum race to 20,000gns before being knocked down to Jim & Patricial Goldie for their noted Newbiemains herd at Newbie Mains Farm, Annan, Dumfriesshire.
Commenting afterwards, a delighted Jim Goldie said: “We have previously purchased Grangewood Paddington from the Leedhams and he’s breeding exceptionally well, and leaving some very stylish calves. Platinum is a similar type of bull that will keep the structure in our cows, and add a bit of fleshiness. I thought he was the standout bull today for a pedigree job. He’s a nice, long, clean bull with a great bone structure, and with good feet and legs.” The Newbiemains herd consists of around 160 cows and run six stock bulls in all.
For the Leedham family the 20,000gns is their highest sale price to date, surpassing the 19,000gns they previously received for Grangewood Barron, and with this being the second year in a row that they’ve topped this Carlisle May Sale fixture. Confirming a good day the very previous lot, Grangewood Phoenix 23 another Ranfurly Impeccable son, made 8500gns when selling to to Messrs Adkin & Sons, Thornhill, Dumfriesshire. Speaking after the sale Andrew Leedham said: “We couldn’t have asked for more on the day, it was a terrific sale with a lot of interested people from England and Scotland looking for Simmental bulls. We’re very pleased to have achieved this top price and Grangewood Platinum has always been a great bull to work with having a terrific temperament. He’s off to a great home and we look forward to seeing his calves in due course.”
A host of records tumbled on the day as the 20,000gns equalled the record price for a Simmental bull sold at a Society sale in England and which had only been set the previous week at Worcester. The £9788 is a new English and Carlisle sale centre Simmental record average, and was up by a remarkable £5,185 on the year. Half of the bulls forward made 10,000gns and more, and with the sale seeing a 100% clearance rate of the fourteen bulls offered.
Following on from a cracking May Sale trade at Stirling, where they sold four bulls to gross £45,150 and including the top priced bull at 15,500gns, Delfur Farms, Rothes, Aberlour enjoyed another top day when they sold two bulls, for 12,000gns, and 10,000gns respectively, with both being sired by the 28,000gns herd stock bull Islavale Magnum. Selling at 12,000gns was the October 2023 born Delfur Peaky Blinder 23 (ET) (TF). This calf is out of Delfur Weigela E12, an Auchorachan AC DC daughter, who is considered ‘one of the best cows in the herd and with tremendous milk’. In the pre-sale show, this bull had stood second in his class to the day’s top priced bull. With a Terminal Production Index of +101; and a Self-Replacing Index of +108, both in the breed’s top 10%, Delfur Peaky Blinder 23 was purchased by Messrs Hogg & Partners, Earlston, Berwickshire.
12,000gns Delfur Peaky Blinder
The very next lot saw the day’s winner of class three, and Overall Male Champion, Delfur Pocket Rocket 23 sell for 10,000gns. Another by Islavale Magnum, and out of Delfur Katie, this November 2023 born bull came to the sale with a show record behind him having been Reserve Senior Male Champion at the 2024 Stars of the Future Calf Show in Stirling. Combining phenotype, pedigree, and performance, Delfur Pocket Rocket has a Terminal Sire Index of +115; and Self Replacing Index of +122, putting him in the breed’s top 5% for both. He also carries an excellent top 10% Maternal (Milk) figure of +10. Buying the Champion and taking him south, was the commercial producer Messrs Swerling, Giles, Buckinghamshire.
10,000gns Delfur Pocket Rocket
Commenting on his choice of Male Champion the judge Aled Davies said: “This was a long, clean, well fleshed bull with a good backend, and who had width all the way through. He had a nice head, walked extremely well, and was a worthy Champion on the day.”
Judge Aled Davies in action at Carlisle
Also at the 12,000gns mark was the upstanding heterozygous polled bull Hepplewhite Premium 23 (P) from local breeders and long-time supporter of Simmental sales at both Carlisle and Stirling, John & Olive June Trafford, Springfield, Greysouthern, Cockermouth, Cumbria. This July 2023 born bull is by the homozygous polled Highcross Matador 21 (PP), and out of the heterozygous polled Hepplewhite Champagne 35th (P), a Castor Herminius (PP) daughter. Buying this bull was Messrs Johnston, By Falkirk. The demand for polled Simmental genetics has been a feature of the May Sales, and this was continued when Hepplewhite Prancer 23 (P) (TF) made 10,000gns when selling into Northumberland, and Messrs Ord, Morpeth. This June 2023 born bull, and the winner of the first class, is by Castor Herminius (PP), and is out of the Sneumgaard Imperator (PP) daughter Hepplewhite Champagne 24th (P). Of his purchase Mr Ord said: “This was a good looking bull in himself with strong performance figures and being heterozygous polled. He’ll be used in our 120 cow suckler herd which comprises of a mix of both Simmental and Angus genetics.”
12,000gns Hepplewhite Premium 23 (P)
10,000gns Hepplewhite Prancer 23 (P)
The noted Popes herd of Jimmy & Vikki Wood, Popes Farm, Dutton, Preston, Lancashire also enjoyed a top day when selling the two youngest bulls in the catalogue for 10,500gns, and 10,000gns respectively. Selling at 10,500gns was the winner of class four and the day’s Reserve Male Champion in the shape of Popes Ragnar 24. March 2024 born, this smart young bull is by the €52,000gns Clonagh Lucky Explorer, and is out of Penton Kristina 19. Heading to Seascale, Popes Ragnar 24 was bought by Messrs Holliday, Cumbria.
10,500gns Popes Ragnar
At 10,000gns, and similarly bred, was Popes Radius 24 who stood second in his class to his team mate. Again by Lucky Explorer, this February 2024 born calf is out of the Camus Harold daughter Popes Nellys Lulu. Taking this bull home was Messrs Cowx & Son, Wigton, Cumbria, who said: “This is a long, clean, smart young bull and we like the milk that the Simmental gives. We presently run 30 cows which are a mix of pure Simm, and Simm cross.”
10,000gns Popes Radius
The day for the Wood family didn’t finish there as they had also secured the Simmental Overall Supreme Championship with their fourteen-month-old heifer, Popes Radiant Eyes. Another calf by the €52,000 Clonagh Lucky Explorer, and out of Popes Jasmine Eyes, the days Champion was purchased for 5000gns by James Iliff, Whitegreave, Stafford. Commenting on his Overall Supreme Champion, the judge Aled Davies said: “For my Overall Supreme Champion I was looking for the one that I’d like to take home, and this young heifer just ticked that box. She’s what I’d describe as a lovely, sweet, stylish heifer, very modern, with that bit of ‘wow’ factor, and having all the attributes to go on and be a top breeding female.” This was the second year in a row that the Popes herd have won the Overall Supreme Championship at this May fixture and following on from Popes Picasso last year.
5000gns Popes Radiant Eyes Female & Overall Supreme Champion
The very first bull in the ring, Lyvennet Panther 23 (P), from Messrs RCS & CFE Addison, Greystone House, Penrith, got the trade off to a good start when selling for 8000gns to Messrs Ellwood & Son, Millom, Cumbria. Another heterozygous polled bull, the March 2023 born Panther is by the 8000gns Greencap Klassik 19 (P) and is out of Lyvennet Dixie 3 (P).
A more than solid trade for the Simmental commercial heifers forward topped at 3200gns for a December 2023 heifer from Peter Burgess, High Keenley Fell Farm, Hexham, and purchased by Messrs Morton, Penrith, Cumbria.
Overall Championship Presentation. From left to right: Judge Aled Davies of the Hirwaun herd, Hannah Wood with the Female & Overall Champion Popes Radiant Eyes, Garry Patterson with the Male Champion & Overall Reserve Delfur Pocket Rocket, and Iain Kerr BSCS General Manager
Averages
14 Bulls £9787.50
5 Heifers £3654.00
14 High Health Heifers £2871.42
by Iain | May 7, 2025 | 2025 Scottish News, 2025 News, 2025 Stirling Sales, 2025
- 25 bulls set new £8795 May Sale record average, up £2075 on the year
- 100% clearance of bulls forward
- Seven bulls make 10,000gns and above
- Islavale bulls take Championship and Reserve
- Fifth consecutive year a new record Simmental average set at the Stirling May Sale
The 15,500gns Delfur Prince 23 (ET), from Delfur Farms, Rothes, Aberlour led another record breaking Simmental trade at the Stirling May Sale held at United Auctions, Stirling Agricultural Centre, on Monday 5th May.
Following hard on the heels of the at the time all-breeds record average at Stirling in February, the May Sale saw a total clearance of the 25 bulls forward to level at £8795, up by £2075 on the year. The £8795 is a record Simmental average for the May Sale, and remarkably is the fifth year in a row that a new breed record average has been set at this fixture. Seventeen bulls in all made 7500gns or more, with seven bulls making over five figures.
15,500gns top price Delfur Prince
A strong pen of bulls from Delfur Farms saw them make 15,500gns; 10,000gns x 2; and 7500gns to gross £45,150 and average a fantastic £11,288. Earlier in the day these Delfur bulls had placed first, second, third in Class Six of the pre-sale show judged by Gavin Brown of the noted Springfield Herd at Penicuik, Midlothian. November 2023 born, the 15,500gns top priced Delfur Prince 23 (ET) is one of the first sons at sale by the 28,000gns stock bull Islavale Magnum, and is out of the consistent breeding Delfur Hells, a Clonagh Tiger Gallant daughter, whose progeny include Delfur Roxy, the Simmental Junior Female Champion at the 2024 Stars of the Future Calf Show.
Purchasing the top price was Mr & Mrs L Moffat for their noted 65-cow Innerwick herd at Dunbar, East Lothian. Commenting Dorothy Moffat said: “We had picked him out in the catalogue beforehand as one to look at and we thought he really stood out in the show ring. He’s a bull with an impressive width and flesh, and has both bloodlines and figures which we think are suited to the Innerwick herd. In October 2022 we purchased Delfur Maverick for 16,000gns jointly with Bruce Lambie, Fallhills. Maverick has done exceptionally well, so we are very pleased to buy another from bull from Delfur.”
Speaking generally after the sale Delfur herd manager Garry Patterson said: “We’re really pleased with the sale and to see Delfur bulls go to top pedigree and commercial herds. The 28,000gns paid for Islavale Magnum was a big investment but it’s very encouraging to see his first progeny at sale sell so well. He was originally bought to breed females for the herd so to have the quality of these bulls for sale is a real bonus on top. The herd presently comprises of 80+ pedigree breeding females and our aim continues to be to breed bulls with a bit of style, length, not overly shapey, of a nice size, with style, and that calf easily.”
Commenting on the sale, BSCS General Manager Iain Kerr said: “It’s fantastic to see another strong Simmental trade, and again driven by commercial buyers. Commercial producers are basing their suckler herds with Simmental genetics and seeing the benefits in milk, easy calving, fertility, and the ability to rear a quality calf year on year. At the same time, there’s the recognition of the breeds proven abilities in age at slaughter and daily carcase gain, and adding this all up it’s striking a chord with commercial producers and driving demand for the breed.”
13,000gns Pitgaveny Presto 23
Taking the second top price at 13,000gns was the first prize winner Pitgaveny Presto 23 from Pitgaveny Farm, Elgin, Moray. Presto’s sire is the 14,000gns Islavale Kristoff who was the Overall Male Champion at the Scottish Simmental National Show held in Turriff last year. Out of Pitgaveny Jingle VG 86, and with solid performance figures across the board, Pitgaveny Presto 23 now heads for the islands having been purchased by noted commercial producers G&M Porter, Carrabus Farm, Bridgend, Isle of Islay. Of the sale, Geoff Anderson said: “The 13,000gns is the top price the Pitgaveny herd has attained at sale to date, so we’re very pleased. Presto is a good sized bull with plenty of power and depth but he’s also a sweet bull and we think will breed good, milky cows.”
It was another terrific day for the Islavale herd of WS Stronach, Berrleys Farm, Grange, Keith, who took the top honours with both the Overall Supreme, and Overall Reserve Champions in the pre-sale show. The Islavale bulls each went on to sell for 12,000gns themselves, and in another notable herd achievement all four of the sales top priced animals were by Islavale sires!
Overall Champion 12,000gns Islavale Pegasus
Both entirely homebred, and both by Islavale Lucifer 20 EX 93 (who has bred bulls sold up to 13,000gns), the Supreme Champion came in the shape of the December 2023 born Islavale Pegasus. Out of the classified Curaheen Bandit daughter Islavale Damaris 12 EX92 (EX2), this stylish, red bull carries very good performance figures being top 15% for Maternal (Milk), and top 20% for both Terminal Sire, and Self Replacing Indexes. Purchasing the Champion bull was regular buyer Liam Muir, Upper Onston, Stromness, Orkney, and for a client in Caithness with a commercial suckler herd of 120 cows.
Overall Reserve Champion 12,000gns Islavale Pilot
Following his team mate through the class and to take the Overall Reserve, was the December 2023 born Islavale Pilot 23. By the same sire as the Champion, Islavale Pilot 23 is out of Islavale Candy 4 EX92, a Curaheen Giant daughter. Again a bull with good figures, Islavale Pilot 23 is in the breed’s top 15% for Terminal Production Index, and the top 10% for Self-Replacing Index. Also making 12,000gns, Islavale Pilot was bought by J&J Marshall, Grantown On Spey, Morayshire.
Judge Gavin Brown, left, with his Islavale Champion & Reserve
Full concentration on the job at hand from the judge Gavin Brown, Springfield Herd
Of his Islavale Champion and Reserve bulls, the judge Gavin Brown said: “These two Islavale bulls were just standouts in their class, and with only days between them in age, there was also very little between them in terms of placing. Both animals had great width throughout and carried terrific flesh. Both with style, the Reserve may just have had the edge in that respect but my choice of Champion just had that extra bit of growth about him that had me place him first and give him the Overall nod. Two very good Simmental bulls.”
10,500gns Dunmore Peter
At 10,500 was the November 2023 born Dunmore Peter 23 from J&E Aitken, Overton Farm, Fintry, Glasgow. Got by AI, this calf is sired by Clonagh Tiger Gallant, and is out of the Team Celtic 11 daughter Dunmore Lollipop 20. With top figures for calving ease, and strong Terminal Sire, and Self Replacing Indexes, this bull was sold to England when purchased by Nunappleton Estate, Home Farm, Roebuck, York. Just two lots previously the Aitken’s also sold Dunmore Prime 23 for 8500gns to the Dewisland herd of M Evans, Upper Harglodd, St Davids, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire. Again, this bull had terrific calving ease figures. The 10,550gns, and 8,500gns both surpassed the herd’s previous top price at sale of 8000gns attained in February 2023.
10,000gns Delfur Prime Time
Two further bulls from the Delfur pen made 10,000gns. The first of these was Delfur Prime Time 23, another son of the 28,000gns Islavale Magnum 21, and who stood second in his class to the day’s top price (by the same sire). Out of Delfur Kora, a cow line with tremendous milk, Delfur Prime Time 23 was purchased by John Forbes, Achnacloich, Boultach, Caithness. Commenting Mr Forbes said: “This was a rangy bull with length, great proportions, and with a nice depth to him. He’s got character, is from a good line of cows, and is the dark colour we want for breeding replacement females. We run 110 Simm cross females, and 30 Luings which we put the Simmental bull on.”
10,000gns Delfur Partyboy
Making it a Delfur 1,2,3 in Class Six was the November 2023 born Delfur Partyboy 23. This heifer’s calf is by the easy calving bull Banwy Bonzo, who has bred bulls to 16,000gns, and is out of the Innerwick Ivor 17 daughter Delfur Mystique. Delfur Partyboy was bought by G&AG Proctor, Balnageith, Forres, Moray also at 10,000gns.
At 9,000gns was Braegarrie Proclaimer from DL&S Currie, Pinclanty, Girvan, Ayrshire. Standing second in class five to the day’s second top price, this August 2023 bull is by herd sire Overhill House Link 20, and is out of Braegarrie Gabriella, a Teviot Bouncer daughter. Woth good figures for Calving Ease, and Maternal (Milk), Braegarrie Proclaimer was bought by R Forrest Ltd, Preston, Duns, Berwickshire.
9000gns Braegarrie Proclaimer
Over from Northern Ireland, HJW&JC Moore, Coolesker, Beragh made 8800gns when selling the youngest Simmental bull in the sale, Omorga Rory 24. Got by AI, Omorga Rory is by the easy calving Denizes Hamish 16, and is out of Omorga Lily (ET). With a Terminal Sire Index and a Self Replacing Index both in the top 1% of the breed, this bull was sold to Shropshire and E Roberts, Haughton Farm, Ellesmere.
Selling at 8500gns was Broombrae Pilot P24 23, from the Tippetcraig herd of Mr & Mrs George Burns, Tippetcraig, High Bonnybridge. A first time selling Simmentals at Stirling, this September born calf was purchased at foot from the first part of the Broombrae Dispersal Sale of Gordon Clark, Auchtermuchty, Cupar, Fife, held at Stirling in February 2024. By Camus Harold 16, and out of Broombrae Delight J5, Broombrae Pilot P24 23, with a top 1% figure of +15 for Maternal (Milk), was purchased by SA&J Stewart, Kininmonth, Cupar, Fife.
OTHER LEADING SIMMENTAL PRICES
8200gns Lot 107 Denizes Rolls Royce sold to W S L Muir of Upper Onston, Stenness, Stromness, Orkney
Denizes Rolls Royce 8200gns
7800gns Lot 86 Cwarre Paladin sold to A McAllister of Blairmore, Balfron, Glasgow
7800gns Cwarre Paladin
7800gns Lot 96 Pitmudie Prince sold to C McCrae of Mid Glen, West Glen, Langbank, Renfrewshire
7500gns Lot 77 Delfur Phoenix sold to EJ & AM Fox of St Johns Kirk, Symington, Biggar
7500gns Lot 79 Blackford Polaris sold to A Sharp & Sons of Farmton, Tough, Alford, Aberdeenshire.
7500gns Lot 101 Pitmudie Poldark sold to M Orr & Sons of Bangour Farm, Broxburn, West Lothian.
by Iain | Mar 24, 2025 | 2025 Northern Ireland News, 2025 Dungannon Sales, 2025 News, 2025
- Bulls average £5477.50, a new breed record, and up by £1,897 on the year
- Three bulls make 6000gns and over
- 75% clearance rate
It was a record-breaking day for Cecil and Scott McIlwaine, Corrick, Newtonstewart, Co Tyrone who sold Corrick Presley for 7200gns at the British Simmental Cattle Society’s Sale held at Dungannon Farmers Mart on Friday 21st March. The top price is a new breed record for a Simmental bull at this fixture.
September 2023 born Corrick Presley had earlier in the day been tapped out as the Overall Supreme Champion by the pre-sale show judge Martin Cunningham, who runs a commercial herd alongside his establishing Catcairn pedigree herd at Hannahstown, Belfast, and who commented: “My choice of Champion is just a fantastic modern Simmental bull. He has length, width, and power, and has all the qualities to be a breeder’s bull that anyone would be pleased to have.”
Champion Corrick Presley
Corrick Presley is by Seafort Gill and is out of the Team Celtic daughter Corrick Matilda. With top growth figures this bull is in the breed’s top 1% for 400, & 600 day weight, and top 10% for 200 day weight. Carrying on the theme his Terminal Production Index, and Self Replacing Index are both in the breed’s top 5%. Purchasing the top priced bull was local breeder William Ferguson who runs 80-90 Simmental x Limousin cows alongside the Sperrin View herd of ten pedigree Simmentals, at Stewartstown, Dungannon. Commenting Mr Ferguson said: “We had seen Corrick Presley on Facebook prior to the sale and were impressed by the bull in himself and also his performance figures. Seeing him at the market he was a bull with real length to him, full of character, style, and who walked very well. He was the colour we were looking for to breed replacements, had plenty of muscle and amount of bone for the type of cows that he’ll be used on.” Back in 2019, William Ferguson had previously purchased Corrick Justice from the McIlwaine’s and was a bull ‘who had worked really well for us.’ Of the 7200gns price Mr Ferguson said: “We really wanted to get the bull of the quality and type that we were looking for as it’s such an important investment for the herd. Corrick Presley ticked the boxes we were looking for.”
Champion with judge Martin Cunningham, breeder Neil McIlwaine, and buyer William Ferguson
Speaking after the sale a delighted Neil McIlwaine said: “Corrick Presley is a terrific bull, and going to the sale we thought he had the full package with his pedigree, performance figures and the looks. He’s a heifer’s calf who showed successfully in the NI Simmental National Show in 2024 at Antrim, and he comes from a good breeding line. Presley has gone to a good home and a repeat buyer in the shape of William Ferguson, and we look forward to see how he goes on and does.” Of setting a new Simmental breed record at Dungannon, Neil McIlwaine went on to say: “We are delighted to support and promote the breed at such sales as Dungannon, and it’s a thrill to set what is a record price along with a record sale average. More generally there are a lot of quality Simmental bulls being bred and sold by NI breeders which is great to see.”
The sale saw six out of the eight bulls forward sell to an average of £5477.50, up by £1897 on the year and setting a new record average for this Simmental fixture. Following the bulls, four heifers sold to average a healthy £3438.75.
Knockreagh Popstar 23 6000gns
Two bulls made 6000gns and with the first of these being Knockreagh Popstar from Val & Conrad Fagan from Newry, County Down. November 2023 born, this bull who stood second in his class, is by the leading sire Saltire Impressive 17, and is out of Knockreagh Kitty (ET) VG 88, a Dermotstown Delboy (ET) EX 92 daughter. Knockreagh Popstar, who carried above average figures for Materanl (Milk), and also Terminal Production and Self Replacing Indexes, sold to the Killyfaddy Farm pedigree herd of Robert Duncan, Magherafelt, Co Londonderry.
Drumacritten Robbie 24 6000gns
Also at this mark was the final bull in the catalogue, Drumacritten Robbie 24 (ET), from Mr WE Nelson & Mr GE Nelson, Drummacritten, Rosslea, Enniskillen. First in his class, Drumacritten Robbie is by Dermotstown Delboy (ET) EX 92, and is out of Drumacritten Dianna GP 84, a Drumlone Anchor 09 9 daughter. Buying this bull, who is in the breed’s top 5% for Calving Ease Daughters, was purchased by Ivan Henderson, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh.
Drumacritten Paddy 23, Reserve Champion, 4300gns
The Nelsons also sold the day’s Overall Reserve Champion, Drumacritten Paddy 23 for 4300gns. October 2023 born, this bull is another by Saltire Impressive, and is out of Drumacritten Julie a Curaheen Gunshot daughter. Drumacritten Paddy was knocked down to G McBurney, Annalong, Co Down.
At 4000gns was the first bull in the ring in the shape of Craigy Prime from Mr WJ Dodd, Saintfield, Ballynahinch, Co Down. August 2023 born this bull, got by AI, is by Seafort Gill, the same sire as the day’s top price, and is out of Craigy Jessica L9, a Keeldrum Fabregas daughter. Another bull with above breed average Terminal Production and Self Replacing Indexes, Craigy Prime was bought by Norman Thompson, Kilaloo, Co Londonderry.
Veaghmore Pebble 3500gns
In the females, two December 2023 born heifers from Mr DG Rooney, Newry, County Down, Veaghmore Pebble and Veaghmore Paris both made 3500gns and with both being purchased by James Porter, Dromore, Co Down. The stylish Veaghmore Pebble, got by AI, is a daughter of Clonagh Tiger Gallant, and is out of Cladymore Melody, a Curaheen Dickens daughter. Veaghmore Paris, again got by AI, is sired by the 16,000gns Ranfurly Limelight L11 20, and is out of Cladymore Jane, a Kilbride Farm Dragoon 12 daughter.
Veaghmore Paris 3500gns
L to R: Judge Martin Cunningham, Res Champ Drumacritten Paddy, and Overall Champ Corrick Presley
by Iain | Nov 25, 2024 | 2024 Scottish News, 2024 News, 2024, 2024 Other Shows
- Springfield Prada wins Overall Supreme & Female Champion
- Springfield Pentagon takes Overall Reserve & Male Champion
It was a ‘win double’ Gavin Brown, Springfield Farm, Penicuik who took both the Simmental Overall Supreme & Overall Reserve titles at the Scottish National Fatstock Club’s 2024 LiveScot event held at Lanark market on Friday evening, 22nd November 2024.
With similar breeding behind them, both Champion & Reserve were July 2023 born, sired by the herd’s noted stock bull Islavale Jabba 18 (ET) EX 92, and out of Shiloh Freedom daughters.
Springfield Prada, Overall Supreme Champion 2024 LiveScot
Judge for the day was Sean Mitchell, Grassknop Farm, Penrith and who duly tapped out the seventeen-month-old heifer Springfield Prada, as his Female Champion & Simmental Overall Supreme Champion. A ‘very correct heifer from great sire and dam lines,’ Prada’s full sister Springfield Neptune, took the Overall Senior Championship and Overall Reserve at the 2023 Simmental Youngstock Show held within the Borderway Agri Expo. Springfield Prada’s dam, the seven-year-old Springfield Italia, has had four heifer calves to date and with her one bull calf, Springfield Niagra, also by Islavale Jabba, selling for 8500gns at Stirling this year. Carlisle will be the next destination for Springfield Prada as she is being offered for sale at the Simmental Next Generation IV Sale of Females & Weaned Calves on 6th December.
Taking the Male Championship, and the Overall Reserve, was Prada’s stablemate in the shape of Springfield Pentagon. Again July 2023 born, Springfield Pentagon is out of another Shiloh freedom daughter, Springfield Jolene. Earlier this month, Pentagon stood second in his class to the Senior Male Champion at the Stars of the Future Calf Show. A powerful bull with plenty of length, Springfield Pentagon will now be aimed at the Stirling Simmental Bull Sale in February 2025.
May 2018 born, Islavale Jabba has been the 30-cow Springfield herd’s main sire for the previous four years, and with his progeny both bulls and heifers averaging well at sales and to a top of 8500gns. With a host of accolades to his name, Islavale Jabba has been the online European Simmental Champion, and the Senior Male Champion at the 2023 Scottish Simmental National Show. Another son, Springfield Major, was the Champion at the Simmental Calf Show at Borderway Agri Expo in 2021, and went on to sell for 7500gns at Stirling. Islavale Jabba (ET) EX 92 has since been sold for breeding to the Newbiemains pedigree herd of Jim and Patricia Goldie but with semen retained for use on farm.
2024 LiveScot Simmental Results
Judge: Sean Mitchell, Grassknop Farm, Penrith.
Class 1036 Bull born between 1st July 2023 and 31st December 2023
1st – Gavin Brown’s Springfield Pentagon (647)
Class 1037 Bull born after 1st of January 2024
1st – Robbie Hamilton’s Drumclog Richard (654)
Class 1038 Heifer born between 1st July 2023 and 31st December 2023
1st – Gavin Brown’s Springfield Prada (656)
2nd – J and E Dyet’s Merkland Pippa (662)
Class 1039 Heifer born after 1st of January 2024
1st – J and E Dyet’s Merkland Flora 24 (666)
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