by Nicky Moreton | Aug 1, 2025 | 2025 National Shows, 2025 Northern Ireland News, 2025 News, 2025
- Ballinalare Farm Nikita wins Individual Interbreed Overall Reserve
- Ranfurly Weikel 56th R5 takes Overall Reserve, and Junior Champion
The all-conquering first calved heifer Ballinalare Farm Nikita from Joe & Alan Wilson, Newry, with her twin calves at foot, swept to a third consecutive NI Simmental National Show Overall Supreme title today at Clogher Valley Show. Judging the Simmental classes and Championships was John Barlow of the noted Denizes herd, Lancashire.
Overall Supreme & Female Champion Ballinalare Farm Nikita
The win for this February 2022 born Simmental female saw her complete a unique and remarkable double-hat trick having now won the Overall Supreme on three consecutive years at both the RUAS Balmoral Show, and the NI Simmental National Show. On her way through to the Championship at Clogher Valley she firstly also lifted the Female Championship. This first calved heifer is by the prolific Saltire Impressive and is out of Ballinalare Farm Ilyssa, a Denizes Fantastic daughter and herself a twin to a female. Another prolific show summer has seen Nikita win multiple interbreed titles at NI shows and she was again on the rostrum at Clogher when placing Overall Individual Interbreed Reserve in front of the judge Andrew Anderson, Smallburn Farms, Elgin.
Of his Overall Supreme Champion, the judge John Barlow said: “What a tremendous cow this is and a very worthy winner on the day. She’s just in tremendous condition with a fantastic bag of milk on her for a first calved heifer, doing her twin calves really well, and is back in calf again. With great width and a good top, she’s the perfect size and not too big, is very correct, and very mobile. Very much a super Simmental female.”
Judge John Barlow in action.
Also in attendance at the NI Simmental Natioanl Show was BSCS General Manager Iain Kerr who commented on the Ballinalare herd’s achievement: “On behalf of all at British Simmental, massive congratulations are extended to the Wilson family. To win the Championship award three years in a row at Northern Ireland’s two premier Simmental Shows, as a maiden heifer through to today as a first calved heifer, is a remarkable achievement. Along the way she’s been up against some fantastic cattle in both the Simmental classes and then the Interbreeds. A terrific example of the modern Simmental she has firmly secured her place in the pantheon of Simmental breed history.”
Taking the Overall Reserve, Reserve Female, Performance Recorded Heifer, and Overall Junior Champion was Ranfurly Weikel 56th R5 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 8. The Weikel family, established in 2003, has been one of the most influential dam lines in the 17-cow Ranfurly herd. The day’s Champion, and Ranfurly Weikel 56th R5 in Reserve, matched the final results at this years RUAS Balmoral Show held in May. Weikel 56th R5 has been shown four times this year at Balmoral, Omagh, Castlewellan, and now Clogher, and has been unbeaten in her class. Plans at this early stage are to show her again next year as a senior heifer. Confirming another good day, the Ranfurly herd also won the junior heifer class with the stylish September 2024 born Ranfurly Jade. Full of breeding this calf is by the 16,000gns Ranfurly Limelight and is out of Raceview Mindy Hibernia, bought for the herd due to the back pedigree featuring the noted Raceview Misty Jade. A prolific show and sale herd, the Ranfurly herd won the Overall Supreme, and Reserve Overall at the 2019 NI Simmental National Show and when Michael Barlow, John’s father, was judging!
Ranfurly Weikel 56th, Overall Reserve, Junior Champion, & Reserve Female Champion
Speaking of the 2025 reserve Overall Ranfurly Weikel 56th, John Barlow said: “This heifer carried lots of style, had a real presence in the ring, and was show fit. Full of correctness with good mobility, she was a heifer that was hard to fault.”
Proving to be a knockout in the bulls was the July 2024 Bridgewater Farm Rocky (P), from Nigel Glasgow, Cookstown, Co Tyrone who lifted the Male Championship and also the Reserve Junior award. This young heterozygous polled bull is by the AI sire Ranfurly Klinker, a Team Celtic son, and is out of the homebred Bridgewater Farm Phyliss 4th, an Atlow Dixon 12 EX 91 daughter going back to Anatrim Bodybuilder. Of his Male Champion, John Barlow commented: “This was a standout Male Champion. With lots of class and style he’s a growthy bull and I think he’s a big prospect for the Spring Sales next year.” In addition to the Male Championship at Clogher, Bridgewater Farm Rocky (P) has had class wins at both Omagh, and Armagh Shows and collective results that have put him firmly in the running to be the NI Simmenal Male of the Year. The 30 breeding female Bridgewater Farm herd has a good track record at both shows and sales and including a Reserve Supreme at Balmoral, and a Junior Champion at the Stirling Bull Sales. Speaking afterwards, Nigel Glasgow confirmed that Bridgewater farm Rocky (P) will be aimed at Stirling in February 2026.
Male Champion & Reserve Junior Champion, Bridgewater Farm Rocky
Making a fantastic NI Simmental National Show debut was Ryan Gilmour, Dungannon, Co Tyrone, who won the largest class of some ten young bulls on the day, before going on to take the Reserve Male Championship, with the September 2024 born Gillview Rocket. Another Saltire Impressive son, Rocket is out of the second calver Gillview Lady Lauren, a Kilbride Farm Bantry 10 embryo daughter going back to Hillcrest Champion, and whose first heifer calf is retained in the herd. Unbeaten in his show classes to date, this was only Gillview Rocket’s second show outing having previously being judged first in his class at Castlewellan Show. For the ten breeding female Gillview herd this is their biggest show accolade to date and speaking afterwards, a delighted Ryan Gilmour said: “He’s a bull calf with style, power, and a lovely head, and we’ll now give a little thought to forward plans for him and taking aim at the Spring Sales in 2026.” Ryan is also the NI Simmental Club’s Secretary, and works full time for the NI Department of Agriculture.
Reserve Male Champion, Gillview Rocket
Echoing Ryan’s thoughts on Gillview Rocket, John Barlow said: “This was a big class of bulls and both the first and second prize winners have big futures ahead. The Gillview bull had real length to him, was soft fleshing, had a tremendous breed head, and carried a lot of show presence.”
Taking second in this class was Lisglass Real Deal from JL & CJ Weatherup, Ballyclare, Co Antrim. Another Saltire Impressive son, this September 2024 born bull out of Lisglass Klassy, a Dermotstown Delboy ET EX 92 daughter, was crowned Male Champion at the 2025 RUAS Balmoral in May. The Lisglass herd enjoyed a top day at Clogher with a class win for their Intermediate heifer Dermody Royal Lucy, and wins in both the Pairs, and Group of Three classes.
The Simmental judging was rounded off with two well supported and terrific classes for Young Handlers. Showing loads of enthusiasm and great abilities the respective classes were won by Lewis Dodd (Craigy Herd); and Rhys Rodgers (Hiltonstown Herd).
Overall Championship presentation Ballinalare Farm Nikita & Ranfurly Weikel 56th R5
Female Championship presentation Ballinlare Farm Nikita & Ranfurly Weikel 56th R5
Junior Championship presentation Ranfurly Weikel 56th R5 & Bridgewater Farm Rocky
NI SIMMENTAL NATIONAL SHOW RESULTS 2025
Judge: John Barlow, Denizes Herd, Lancashire
CLASS 162 (COW OR HEIFER IN MILK)
1ST BALLINLARE FARM NIKITA (429)
CLASS 164 (INTERMEDIATE HEIFER 1/07/23 – 31/12/23)
1ST DERMODY ROYAL LUCY (431)
Dermody Royal Lucy
2ND BRIDGEWATER FARM WISTERIA 4th (430)
CLASS 165 (JUNIOR HEIFER 01/01/24 – 30/04/24)
1ST RANFURLY WEIKEL 56TH R5 (434)
2ND CRAIGY BEATRICE R1 (432)
3RD MULLYNOCK RITA (436)
4TH MULLYNOCK RUTH (437)
CLASS 166 (JUNIOR HEIFER 01/05/24 – 31/08/24)
1ST BALLINALARE FARM RITZ (438)
Ballinalare Farm Ritz
2ND LISGLASS ROSE (439)
3RD BALLINALARE FARM REGAL (440)
CLASS 167 (JUNIOR HEIFER 01/09/24 – 31/12/24)
1ST RANFURLY JADE 2ND R13 (441)
Ranfurly Jade 2nd Class 167, Junior Heifer born on or between 1st September and 31st December 2024
2ND HAYSTAR BEAUTY 4 (443)
CLASS 168 (HEIFER CALF BORN IN 2025)
1ST COOLCRAN LADY SHAKIRA (445)
Coolcran Lady Shakira
2ND MULLYNOCK SUSIE (447)
3RDGORTDONAGHY SHE’S THE ONE (448)
4TH MULLYNOCK SALLY (446)
CLASS 169 (HEIFER PERFORMANCE RECORDED)
1st RANFURLY WEIKEL 56TH
CLASS 170 (CHAMPION FEMALE)
FEMALE CHAMPION – (429) BALLINLARE FARM NIKITA
RESERVE FEMALE CHAMPION – (434) RANFURLY WEIKEL 56TH R5
CLASS 172 (JUNIOR BULL 01/01/24 – 30/04/24)
1ST HAYSTAR ROMEO (449)
CLASS 173 (JUNIOR BULL 01/05/24 – 31/08/24)
1ST BRIDGEWATER FARM ROCKY (453)
2ND HAYSTAR ROUND ONE (451)
3RD HILLHEAD FARM REDEMPTION (452)
CLASS 174 (JUNIOR BULL 01/09/24 – 31/12/24)
1ST GILLVIEW ROCKET (460)
2ND LISGLASS REAL DEAL (455)
3RD DRUMSAMNEY RORY (454)
4TH COOLCRAN RAFIKI (457)
5TH GILLVIEW RANGER (461)
6TH HILTONSTOWN RIPTIDE (458)
CLASS 175 (BULL CALVE BORN IN 2025)
1ST MULLYNOCK SCORPIO (466)
Mullyknock Scorpio Class 175 Bull Calf born in 2025
2ND DRUMSAMNEY SAMSON (465)
CLASS 176 (DANI ROSEBOWL PERFORMANCE RECORDED BULL)
1ST COOLCRAN RAFIKI
Coolcran Rafiki Class 176 & Dani Rosebowl Performance Recorded Bull
2ND HILLHEAD FARM REDEMPTION
CLASS 177 (MALE CHAMPIONSHIP)
CHAMPION MALE – (453) BRIDGEWATER FARM ROCKY
RESERVE CHAMPION MALE – (460) GILLVIEW ROCKET
CLASS 178 (JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP)
JUNIOR CHAMPION – (434) RANFURLY WEIKEL 56TH R5
RESERVE JUNIOR CHAMPION – (453) BRIDGEWATER FARM ROCKY
CLASS 179 (OVERALL SIMMENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP)
OVERALL CHAMPION – (429) BALLINLARE FARM NIKITA
CLASS 180 (PAIRS)
1ST LISGLASS
Lisglass Pairs winners
2ND MULLYNOCK
3RD BRIDGEWATER FARM
4TH RANFURLY
5TH GILLVIEW
CLASS 181 (GROUP OF 3)
1ST LISGLASS
Group of 3 Winners Lisglass
2ND GILLVIEW
CLASS 182 (YOUNG HANDLERS 8-12)
1ST LEWIS DODD
Young Handlers 8 to 12, Lewis Dodd
2ND CHARLIE CAHOON
3RD TIMOTHY RAINEY
4TH LUCY HAZELTON
CLASS 183 (YOUNG HANDLERS 13 – 18 )
1ST RHYS RODGERS
Young Handler 13 to 18 Rhys Rodgers
2ND LEXIE WILSON
3RD JAMIE DODD
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 | 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
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