by Nicky Moreton | Sep 17, 2025 | 2025 Scottish News, 2025 News, 2025 Stirling Sales, 2025
The Saltire Simmental herd of J. & G. Houliston, Drem, East Lothian has been a familiar name in pedigree and commercial circles since its establishment in the early 2000s. Built on the use of top AI sires, the herd has not only achieved regular five-figure bull sales but also produced genetics that have spread into some of the leading Simmental herds across the UK and Ireland. Success has followed in both sale and show rings, with highlights including the record-breaking top-priced Simmental bull sired by Saltire Jaguar and the continued influence of Saltire Impressive, a bull whose name remains synonymous with quality. With cow numbers having grown steadily in recent years, the family made the decision to reduce herd size for management reasons.
The result was a select offering of breeding females, some with calves at foot, which came before United Auctions ring at Stirling on Saturday 13 September 2025. Two cows with calves at foot topped at 4,800gns and an average of £4,883, while four maiden heifers peaked at 3,800gns to an average of £3465.
4800gns Saltire Murron & Saltire Sophie
McLaren & Partners, Dargill, Crieff, had to bid to 4,800gns, to secure a stylish female Saltire Murron AI, a rising young cow born in July 2021, came forward as an attractive outfit with her March-born heifer calf at foot. She is by Team Celtic 11, himself a son of the noted Auchorachan Winger, and out of Saltire Galaxy, a daughter of the influential Kilbride Farm Dragoon. Her calf at foot Saltire Sophie, born in March 2025 was sired by Roma Legend 20. Her performance figures underline her quality and growth credentials, complemented by a solid milk figure of +13.
4500gns Saltire Kitty & Saltire Sally 2nd
Close behind was another cow and calf combination at 4,500gns, secured by Baird & Son, Mid Gallowhill, Blairgowrie. Saltire Kitty AI, born in April 2019, is a proven brood cow with depth of breeding and a strong track record of production. She is sired by Woodhall Ferrari 14, a son of Raceview All-Star, and out of Saltire Valerie – a female going back to the noted Saltire Primrose line. She sold with her calf at foot, Saltire Sally 2nd, a March 2025-born heifer by Roma Legend 20.
3800gns Saltire Ripple
Saltire Ripple (Lot 6) led the way in the heifer section at 3,800gns, selling to O. J. & J. M. Barker, Easter Yardhouses, Carnwath. Born in May 2024 she is a smart young heifer sired by the stylish Roma Legend 20 (by Islavale Frontier) and out of Saltire Galaxy, a proven daughter of Kilbride Farm Dragoon. This combination brings together modern performance bloodlines with the depth and consistency of established Saltire cow families, making Ripple an appealing prospect for future breeding. Other notable purchases included a January 2024-born heifer, Saltire Roxy is by the homebred sire Saltire Nighthawk 22, a son of Woodhall Ferrari 14, and out of Saltire Kitty, herself from the proven Saltire Valerie family. This smart young female combines two strong Saltire cow lines with Ferrari influence on both sides of her pedigree, at 3,200gns she headed to T. L. Stirling, Auchterblair, Carrbridge along with Saltire Rosemary at 3,000gns.
Completing the purchases for the McLarens was January 2024 born, Saltire Ruby a well-bred heifer by Roma Legend 20 (sired by Islavale Frontier) and out of Saltire Imogen, a daughter of the Curaheen Bandit line.
SALE PRICES
Lot No. (gns) (£) Buyer
1 4500 4725 W BAIRD & SON
2 4800 5040 J C MCLAREN & PARTNERS
3 3200 3360 T L STIRLING
4 3200 3360 J C MCLAREN & PARTNERS
5 3000 3150 T L STIRLING
6 3800 3990 O J & J M BARKER
by Nicky Moreton | Sep 17, 2025 | 2025 Scottish News, 2025 Other Sales, 2025 News, 2025
- 11 Simmentals (all polled) average £9182 (+£3924)
- £13,250 new ‘Working Genes’ Simmental top price
- Four bulls make over £10,000
The Simmental trade was on fire yesterday, 9th September, at the annual ‘Working Genes’ Sale held at the McGowan family’s Incheoch Farms, Alyth, Blairgowrie.
Two bulls topped the Simmental trade at £13,250, a record Simmental price for this sale, and with a total clearance of eleven Simmentals (all polled) selling to average a mighty £9182, up by £3924 on the year. Four bulls made over £10,000.
£13,250 Incheoch Ross 24 (PP)
Sharing the top values in the Simmental section, were two sons of the Canadian AI sire PHS Polled Worldwide 14W (P). First at this price was the homozygous polled Incheoch Ross 24 (PP) (TF) going to Douglas Gill, Brucefield, Easter Ross. March 2024 born, this bull with breed top 1% figures for Calving Ease, and top 5% for Maternal (Milk), is out of Incheoch Calypso J15 (P), a Dirnanean Fontana 14 (P) daughter.
£13,250 Incheoch Ragusa 24 (P)
At the same £13,250 price was Incheoch Ragusa 24 (P), and this time a heterozygous polled bull. Out of Incheoch Meise 16, another Dirnanean Fontana 14 (P) daughter, this April 2024 bull again carried top figures being in the breed’s top 1% for Maternal (Milk), and in the top 5% for Calving Ease. Buying this bull was Bruce Hogg, Birkenside, Earlston. The buyers of the two top price bulls were both repeat customers for Incheoch Simmental bulls.
£12,500 Incheoch Rocky 24 (P)
Packing a punch at £12,500 was the April 2024 born Incheoch Rocky 24 (P). yet again by PHS Polled Worldwide 14W (P), this bull is out of the Gibby’s Real Deal daughter Incheoch Lightning K13 (P). With top Maternal (Milk), and Calving Ease figures once again, a feature throughout the catalogue, this bull was bought by R Ramsay, Dunbae Farm, Stranraer.
£11,000 Incheoch Runrig 24 (P)
The final bull at the five figure mark was the £11,000 Incheoch Runrig 24 (P). April 2024 born this heterozygous polled bull is by Incheoch Niko 22 (PP) VG 87, and is out of Incheoch Flora N1 (P) (ET). Incheoch Niko 22 (PP), sold for £10,500 last year, the previous Simmental record price at the ‘Working Genes’ Sale, to the Islavale Herd of WS Stronach, Keith.
Other leading Simmental prices included: £9250; £8250; £7750; and £6750 x2.
Complete clearance and strong prices were a feature of this on-farm sale of bulls and rams. On the day four homozygous polled Luing bulls, topped at £17250, with the single Angus bull at £6250. Overall 47 Texel rams averaged £2319; with 47 Lleyns levelling at £1050.
Commenting after the sale, Neil McGowan said ‘It is great to see the confidence that commercial cattle breeders have to invest in the future of their herds. Most bidders were looking to breed functional, hard-working cows for the future’.
by Nicky Moreton | Sep 17, 2025 | 2025 Scottish News, 2025 Market Briefs, 2025 News, 2025
Today we move down to Stirling and to snapshot of commercial sales held there through August by United Auctions – Livestock Auctioneers. Again showing their all-round added value, flexibility, and money making ability, Simmentals have featured strongly, and in depth, through these sales and topping store bullocks, store heifers, bulls, beef cows, and young bulls sections throughout the month. There’s more to Simmental!
MILTON LEAD 448 HEIFERS WITH £2540 SIMM
At Stirling on 3rd September, United Auctions sold 1182 Store Cattle and 237 out of spec cattle, cast cows, and bulls. 448 heifers averaged 400.94p to 498.00p per kilo and £2540 for a 510kg SIM from Milton. Bulls (20) topped at £3190 gross for a 1256kg SIM from Blairsgreen. Other Simm heifer prices included: Milton £2540 £2340, Milton 498.00p 489.50p 458.60p, Flemington £2180, Flemington 448.60p, Milton £2160, Back o Muir 433.80p, High Mathernock £2140, Flemington 425.50p, Flemington & Purgavie £2110. The Simm bullock trade included: Boghall £2480 £2400 £2300, Milton 436.60p, Snaigow Farms £2300, Burnbrae 430.20p 430.00p 427.00p, Burnbrae £2280 x2, Broadstonehall 426.00p, Boghall £2270 £2230, Kirkland 425.10p, East Pitcorthie £2200
£2380 DALQUHURN SIMM TOPS 371 HEIFERS
At Stirling on 27th August, United Auctions sold 1058 Store Cattle and 134 out of spec cattle, cast cows, and bulls and 269 breeding cattle. Heifers (371) sold to £2380 for a 576kg Simm from Dalquhurn. Simm heifer prices included: Dalquhurn £2380, Dalquhurn 420.70p, Parkhouse £2300, Culnoag 418.30p, Dalquhurn £2280, Dalquhurn 413.20p, Culnoag £1920. Simm bullocks on the day featured: Dalquhurn £2520, Dalmahoy 467.90p, Balegreggan £2470 £2460, Meikle Dripps 448.10p, Dalquhurn £2370, Culnoag 432.50p, Ardgate £2360 £2350, Sornfallow 429.90p, Coxhill & 5 East Pitcorthie £2290, Dalmahoy 429.60p 428.90p.
SIMMS TOP PRICE IN BEEF COWS, AND BULLS
On 20th August, United Auctions sold 992 Store Cattle and 119 out of spec cattle, cast cows, and bulls and 94 rearing cattle at Stirling. Beef cows sold to £2790 gross for a 854kg Simm from Blairsgreen. Bulls sold to £3170 gross for a £1186kg Simm from Northfield. The trade for Simm bullocks saw: West Dron £2440, Auchengray 465p, Ardgate £2300, East Mains 454p & 446p, West Dron £2220, Auchenflower 438p & 437p, Eden £2180, East Mains 436p, Ardgate £2120, Werst Dron 427p, Auchengray £2060, Pathcondie 424p, West Dron £2000, Auchengray 420p. Simm heifers on the day: Huntingfauld £2280, Gateside 412p, Eden £2100 & £2040 & £1910, Auchenflower 413p.
£2600 SIMM FROM WEST DRON HEADS 371 BULLOCKS
Innerwick Simm Tops Young Bulls at £2200
United Auctions, Stirling, sold 790 store cattle, 184 out of spec cattle, cast cows and bulls, and 41 rearing cattle on 13th August. Bullocks (371) saw the top price gross being £2600 for a 604kg Simm from West Dron. Young bulls sold to £2200 gross for a 640kg Simm from Innerwick. Simm bullock prices saw: West Dron £2600, Balwherrie 449.30p, Adrgate £2540, Balgreggie 448.50p, Lochend £2490, Ardgate 444.10p, Wester Mye £2480, West Dron 442.90p 437.50p, West Dron £2480 £2380 £2280 £2270, Wester Derry 433.10p, Balwherrie £2260, West Dron 430.50p 429.90p, Lochend 427.20p. Simm heifer prices included: West Dron £2460 £2090, Falahill 449.50p 443.10p, Mains & Dyke £2000, and Wellees 431.00p.
SIMMS TOP STORE BULLOCKS, YOUNG BULLS, AND BEEF COWS
On 6th August at Stirling, United Auctions sold 502 store cattle and 99 out of spec cattle, cast cows, and bulls and 143 breeding cattle. Bullocks sold to £2370 (joint top price) for a Simm from The Mains. Young bulls topped at £1970 for a 482kg Simm from Low Kilwhannell. Beef cows were led at 370.20p per kilo for a 516kg Simm from Killinochonoch, and £2840 for a 1002kg Simm from Duntuim. Bulls were led at 325.90p per kilo for a 758kg Simm from Luckenburn.
Simm bullocks on the day included: The Mains £2370, Stonewalls 471.20p 468.60p, East Balscalloch £2300, Kirkland 447.10p, Temples £2280, Low Kilwhannell 441.50p, The Mains & Ardgate £2200, Ardgate 424.70p, Low Kilwhannell £2100 £2020, East Balscalloch 423.00p, and Netherton £2020. Simm heifers saw prices include: Temples £2280, Kirkland 452.00p, The Mains £2210 £2180 x2, Stonewalls 446.40p, Temples £2180 £2080, Kirkland 406.10p 401.00p.
The next Simmental Bull Sale is on Monday 20th October at United Auctions, Stirling. Click here to see the online catalogue of 94 Simmental bulls and 20 Simmental females. It’s time for a Simmental!
by Nicky Moreton | Sep 17, 2025 | 2025 Scottish News, 2025 Market Briefs, 2025 News, 2025
Simmentals continuing to do the business at commercial sales around the UK. Here we take a snatch look at a few sales over the last few weeks at Thainstone, Aberdeen & Northern Marts. There’s more to Simmental!
At Thainstone on 5th September, Aberdeen and Northern Marts sold 746 Store Cattle, Young Bulls and Young and Weaned Calves. Heifers (195) averaged 407.5p and sold to 463p per kg for a 432kg Simmental Cross from Burnside Croft, Torphins. A Simmental from Drumsleed, Fourdoun topped the bulls at £2680 gross.
On 29th August and a sale of 425 store cattle, young bulls, and weaned calves. 196 heifers averages 415.3p and sold to 525.4p per kg for a pen of three 472kg Simmental cross from Cottown, Rhynie.
At a sale of 146 cast cows and bulls on 28th August, Dairy Cows (29) averaged £1575.34 and sold to £2370 for a 764kg Fleckvieh Cross from Quendale, Dunrossness.
135 cast cows and bulls on 21st August saw beef feeding cows (49) average £2025 and sell to £2430 for a 750kg from Simmental from Carbrotack, Cairnie. Boning Cows averaged £1305.83 and sold to £1550 for a 590kg Simmental. Bulls (12) averaged £2150.83 and sold to £2690 for a 1130kg Simmental from Shank of Glenbarry, Knock.
In a sale of 111 cast cows and bulls on 14th August, bulls sold to £2690 for a 1275kg Simmental from Auquhorthies, Oldmeldrum.
A sale of 388 store cattle, young bulls, weaned calves, and breeding cattle on 8th August saw breeding cattle sold to £2580 for in calf Simmental cows from Milton of Collieston, Ellon. A sale of 146 cast cows and bulls on the same day saw beef feeding cows sell to £2290 for an 804kg Simmental Cross from Gladhill, Garmouth. Berryleys sold Simmental beef finished cows to £3080, and £2990.#
On 7th August, and a sale of 99 prime cattle, young bulls were topped at £2963.10 gross for an 830kg Simmental from Berryleys, Grange.
A sale of 746 store cattle, young bulls, young and weaned calves on 25th July saw 259 bullocks top at £2740 gross for a pair of 736kg Simmental crosses from Stoneyhill, Longhaven. Bulls sold to 440.7p per kg for a pen of three 236kg Simmentals from Dundurcas, Rothes. Breeding cattle sold to £4000 for a Simmental Cow with Simmental Bull Calf at foot from Cairnhill, Huntly, then followed by £3950 (x2), & £3700, all from Cairnhill.
by Iain | Aug 5, 2025 | 2025 National Shows, 2025 Scottish News, 2025 News, 2025
James Hodge’s Denizes Melody 62nd takes Reserve Overall Supreme and Junior Champion
Grangewood Robert The Bruce Wins Overall male Championship
She’s only gone and done it again! The amazing Annick Ginger’s Lucia, from Reece & Andrew Simmers, Backmuir Farm, Keith, Banffshire, extended her remarkable show record when winning the Overall Simmental Supreme Championship, and Female Championship, at the 2025 Scottish National Show, held within Perth Show, on Saturday 2nd August.
Senior Female, Female & Overall Supreme Champion, Annick Ginger’s Lucia
The win was a second successive Overall Supreme at the Scottish Simmental National, and confirmed a second successive ‘major’ double with the February 2020 born, Annick Ginger’s Lucia having won the Royal Highland in June (for a third year in a row). Ginger’s Lucia is sired by Wolfstar Gold Digger 15 and is out of Annick Colleen’s Ginger EX 93, a Corskie Callum 11 daughter. She has been shown this year with her April 2025 born bull calf at foot, Backmuir Sirius 25, sired by Backmuir King 19.
For the prolific Backmuir herd, it was another strong team that secured a welter of Scottish Simmental National Show prizes and including: Overall Champion; Female Champion; Senior Female Champion; Reserve Senior Female; and four class wins in all. Placing as Reserve Senior Female Champion was Annick Ginger’s Nutmeg, and who is of course the same way bred being also out of Annick Colleen’s Ginger EX 93, and sired by Wolfstar Gold Digger. Nutmeg was also a class winner at this years Royal Highland and featured in the herd’s winning Group of Three.
Judge for the day was Garrett Behan of the noted Clonagh herd, Ballyfin, Co Laois and who was full of praise for his Champion: “This is a fantastic Simmental cow and I loved every bit of her. She has everything I like in a female having a great head, being very feminine through the neck and shoulders, and carrying herself extremely well when walking out. She has great length to her and has a real presence. From behind she has super plates, and carried her width down the leg and into the hock. She’s terrific and it’s big congratulations to the breeder.”
Of the show generally, Garrett Behan went on to say: “I’d really like to thank the Scottish Simmental Club for the opportunity to judge the National Show. It was a great honour for me and was nice to be on the other side of the fence to so many great breeders and cattle people. A special mention also to the committees of both the Club and Perth Show for their super hospitality.”
Judge Garrett Behan, left, with Reece Simmers, and Jonathan Gunn
In a general comment, the British Simmental Cattle Society’s Iain Kerr said: “What a truly incredible cow Annick Ginger’s Lucia is and again, on behalf of all members of the Society it’s a massive congratulations to Reece and Andrew, and all at Backmuir, for their management of her and achievements over the last three years at both the Royal Highland, the Scottish National, and other major shows. The profile she has brought to the Backmuir herd, and the breed, is really remarkable and she’s another female who has written her own significant chapter in the history of the Simmental breed.”
Within a quality show of Simmentals, and marking a fantastic debut as an exhibitor at the Scottish Simmental National Show, the April 2024 heifer Denizes Melody 62nd from the emerging Goldstar herd of Ayrshire’s James Hodge, Dundonald, took the Overall Reserve Supreme, Reserve Female, and Junior Champion titles. Sired by Hiltonstown Lorenzo, Melody 62nd was purchased as a calf at foot along with her mum, the then nine-year-old Denizes Melody 22nd, for 7000gns at the Production Sale of the Denizes Herd of MA Barlow & Sons, Lancashire, held at Stirling in October 2024. Of his Overall Reserve, Garrett Behan said: “My Reserve is a young female with a great future ahead. At just 15/16 months old she oozed style and shape and is a super Simmental heifer”. Speaking afterwards James Hodge said: “We showed last year at Stars of the Future but this is our first summer show season, and first Scottish National so to win what we have today is just amazing. I saw Melody as a calf at foot at the Denizes Production Sale and she just really caught my eye. She’s gone on and matured into the quality type of heifer I had envisaged. With the breeding behind her I very much hope she will be a foundation female for the herd to build around. The aim from here is to get her in-calf in the backend and with a view to showing her again through next summer.”
Junior Female, Reserve Female & Reserve Overall Champion Denizes Melody 62nd
Winning the Male Championship, and Junior Male Championship, was the February 2024 born calf Grangewood Robert The Bruce from Mr & Mrs Andrew & Yvonne Leedham, Boghead Farm, Tarbolton, Ayrshire. This bull is by the herd’s noted stock bull Ranfurly Impeccable 14 17 (ET) EX94, and is out of the homebred Grangewood Gretal’s Lyla VG87, a Grangewood Glenlivet daughter. At the 2024 Borderway Agri Expo Simmental Youngstock Show at Carlisle, Grangewood Robert The Bruce stood as Reserve Junior Champion. Described by the judge as a ‘very long, muscular bull, with great power and shape for his age, who carried himself very well in the ring’, he will now take aim at the October 2025 Stirling Simmental Bull Sale. Ranfurly Impeccable was also the sire of the herd’s Grangewood Platinum who sold for 20,000gns at Carlisle in May. The Grangewood herd also secured a further red ticket for their bull Grangewood Romeo. June 2024 born, Romeo, who carries terrific figures for calving ease, and is being provisionally aimed at Stirling in February 2026 , is one of the first sons by the Grangewood herd’s stock bull Overhill House Neil who was purchased for 16,000gns, also at Stirling, in May 2023. It was a top day, at what was a second Scottish Simmental National Show, for the well-known 40 breeding female Grangewood herd who relocated from North Yorkshire to Ayrshire, in March of this year.
Male Champion and Junior Male Champion, Grangewood Robert the Bruce
Standing second in his class to the Male Champion and following him through to take the Reserve Male Championship, and Reserve Junior Male Championship, was Coltfield Result from regular exhibitor JC MacIver, Wester Coltfield Farm, Forres, Moray. March 2024 born, this calf is by the AI sire Islavale Guy 15, who has sired bulls up to 17,000gns, and is out of Coltfield Kit Kat VG 85, sired by Rockytop Invader 17 EX 92. This was the first cow that Cameron had AI’d by himself and hence the name ‘Result’! Rockytop Invader 17 EX 92 himself has produced good bulls for the herd, and has consistently produced quality females that are now at the heart of the 40 breeding female Coltfield herd. A bull with ‘width, great over his top and loin, with good depth of body, plates, good on his tail head, and with a top eye muscle score’, Coltfield Result is another young bull who will be heading to the Stirling Simmental Sale in October.
Reserve Junior Male & Reserve Male Champion Coltfield Result
Another Ayrshire herd to feature on the day was the Bowhill herd of Rachael Reid, D&R Holdings, Low Bowhill Farm, Newmiln and who took the Reserve Junior Female Championship with Bowhill Ruth. This yearling heifer, born 8th August 2024, is got by the 30,000gns Denizes Lancelot, and is out of Overhill House Mary, a heifer bought for £4000 in a charity auction with all proceeds going to charities helping children from the conflict in Ukraine. Of his Reserve Junior Female, Garret Behan said: “I have to give an honorary mention to this young heifer. Still only a baby at 12 months but what a female for her age. She has a lovely head, great length and tremendous plates, and for sure will make a super breeding female”.
Reserve Junior Female Champion, Bowhill Ruth
Other herds doing the business on the day included the Pitmudie herd of Heather Duff, Menmuir, By Brechin, who secured two first prizes in the heifer classes with Pitmudie Pandora (P), a Slievenagh International 17 (PP) daughter, and also with Pitmudie Primrose, a Hiltonstown Irish 17 (ET) daughter who was Junior Female Champion at last year’s Scottish Simmental National Show. There was also a ‘double first’ for the Caithness herd of Jenson Sinclair Gunn, Mavsey, Lybster, Caithness. First up was Caithness Samson, a Kilbride Farm Majestic 21 (P), son who took first in the class for Calf born in the year of the show. This was then followed up by a win in the Pairs for the herd’s Caithness Nymph & Backmuir Kenzie’s Nespresso.
The Scottish Simmental National Show brings to a close the Simmental Nationals held in the year. Congratulations to all of the exhibitors who have taken part and ensured that the Simmental breed has been so well promoted around the UK!
Overall Championship Presentations: Annick Ginger’s Lucia,
& Denizes Melody 62nd
Male Championship Grangewood Robert the Bruce,
& Coltfield Result
Junior Female Championship Denizes Melody 62nd, &
Bowhill Ruth
Scottish Simmental National Show Results 2025
Judge: Garrett Behan, Ballyfin, Co Laois.
Class 17 Bull born on or between 1st January and 31st March 2024
1st Andrew Leedham Grangewood Robert the Bruce 24
2nd Cameron Maciver Coltfield Result 24
3rd Heather Duff Pitmudie Rolex 24
Class 18 Bull born on or between 1st April and 30th June 2024
1st Andrew Leedham Grangewood Romeo 24
Class 18 Bull born on or between 1st April and 30th June 2024 Grangewood Romeo
2nd Heather Duff Pitmudie Rambo 24
3rd Heather Duff Pitmudie Rafferty 24
4th Heather Duff Pitmudie Rockstar 24
5th J & E Dyet Merkland Regent 24
6th J & E Dyet Merkland Rocco 24
Class 20 Senior cow born before 31st July 2021
1st Reece Simmers Annick Ginger’s Lucia
Class 21 Junior Cow on or born between 1st August 2021 and 31st July 2022
1st Reece Simmers Annick Ginger’s Nutmeg
Reserve Senior Female Champion Annick Ginger’s Nutmeg
2nd Jonathan Gunn Caithness Nymph
3rd Jonathan Gunn Backmuir Kenzie’s Nespresso
Class 22 Heifer born on or between 1st August 2022 and 31st March 2023.
1st Heather Duff Pitmudie Pandora (P)
Class 22 Heifer born on or between 1st August 2022 and 31st March 2023. Pitmudie Pandora
Class 23 Heifer born between 1st April and 31st December 2023.
1st Heather Duff Pitmudie Primrose
Class 23 Heifer born between 1st April and 31st December 2023. Pitmudie Primrose
2nd Rachael Reid Bowhill Petal
3rd Cameron Maciver Coltfield Perfect
Class 24 Heifer born on or between 1st January and 31st March 2024
1st Reece Simmers Backmuir Lulu’s Rosalu
Class 24 Heifer born on or between 1st January and 31st March 2024 Backmuir Lulu’s Rosalu
2nd Reece Simmers Backmuir Lucia’s Rumba
3rd J & C Hodge Goldstar Ruby
Class 25 Heifer born on or between 1st April and 30th June 2024
1st J & C Hodge Denizes Melody 62nd
2nd Heather Duff Pitmudie Roselyn
3rd Heather Duff Pitmudie Rachel
Class 26 Heifer born on or between 1st July and 31st December 2024
1st Rachael Reid Bowhill Ruth
2nd M & J Macaskill Woodhall Raz
3rd M & J Macaskill Woodhall Ruby
4th M & J Macaskill Woodhall Rhianna
Class 27 Calf born in the year of the show
1st Jonathan Gunn Caithness Samson
Class 27 Calf born in the year of the show Caithness Samson
2nd Reece Simmers Backmuir Sirius
3rd Jonathan Gunn Overhill House Simmaron
4th Reece Simmers Backmuir Stuart
Class 28 Pairs
1st Jonathan Gunn Caithness Nymph & Backmuir Kenzie’s Nespresso
Pairs winners Caithness Nymph & Backmuir Kenzie’s Nespresso
2nd Reece Simmers Backmuir Lulu’s Rosalu and Backmuir Lucia’s Rumba
3rd M & J Macaskill Woodhall Ruby & Woodhall Rhianna
4th Heather Duff Pitmudie Primrose & Pitmudie Roselyn.
Junior Male Champion
Andrew Leedham Grangewood Robert the Bruce
Reserve Junior Male Champion
Cameron Maciver Coltfield Result
Junior Female Champion
J & C Hodge Denizes Melody 62nd
Reserve Junior Female Champion
Rachael Reid Bowhill Ruth
Senior Female Champion
Reece Simmers Annick Ginger’s Lucia
Reserve Senior Female Champion
Reece Simmers Annick Ginger’s Nutmeg
Female Champion
Reece Simmers Annick Ginger’s Lucia
Reserve Female Champion
J & C Hodge Denizes Melody 62nd
Champion Male
Andrew Leedham Grangewood Robert the Bruce
Reserve Champion Male
Cameron Maciver Coltfield Result
Overall Champion
Reece Simmers Annick Ginger’s Lucia
Reserve Overall Champion
J & C Hodge Denizes Melody 62nd
by Iain | Jun 24, 2025 | 2025 Royal Highland Show, 2025 North West News, 2025 Scottish News, 2025 News, 2025
In its rich 203 year history, the Royal Highland Show has seen almost all there is to see in livestock showing until perhaps this year.
Catching the attention of farmers across the show, and the general public in attendance, was the unique sight of a seven year old pedigree Simmental cow with her three natural triplet heifer calves at foot!
With a real ‘wow’ factor, Denizes Trixie Belle 15 from Michael & John Barlow’s Lancashire based Denizes herd, Walton, Nr Leyland, captured the hearts of the crowd watching on as she was given centre stage in the main ring on Saturday 21st June. As quiet as can be she stood letting all three calves have a good suck as ring commentator Paul Gentry outlined to the crowd some facts regarding the spectacle in front of them.
Denizes Trixie Belle 15 with her triplet heifer calves
Triplet births are so rare in beef cattle that scientists have very little information to compile statistical data. However, the odds of it happening are estimated to be about one in more than 100,000. A little search on Google and through AI shows that the odds of a cow naturally having and delivering triplet heifer calves are roughly 1 in 800,000. If you add in that the Denizes Trixie Belle 15 was good enough to go an and earn a red ticket in the Simmental judging on the Thursday then the odds of the whole scenario just keep on rising!
Highlighting tremendous fertility, the triplet calves were all part of a natural production cycle with Trixie Belle having been served naturally, and all three heifer calves being born with little assistance.
Denizes Trixie Belle 15 herself weighed in at approximately 1000kgs. Add in the three calves at a combined 800kgs and you have a total outfit weight of over 1800kgs. With all three calves in robust, good order, it is estimated that Denizes Trixie Belle 15 will be producing some 30+ litres of milk per day which is not far off in line with the typical daily production of a dairy cow.
Denizes Trixie Belle taking centre stage on Saturday at the 2025 Royal Highland Show
Commenting, John Barlow said: “When these calves were born my dad said ‘right, we’re going to enter these to the Royal Highland’. I thought he was mad at the time but here we are and we’ve been blown away with the reaction to them! Trixie Belle was scanned with twins so triplets was more than a bit of a surprise. However she calved them with a little assistance from myself and they were quickly up and doing. It obviously took a lot out of mum but it’s amazing that she was carrying over 90+kgs of calves and which has turned into 800+kgs of live calves some eight months later. She’s a remarkable lady and we’re delighted and very proud to have shown her.”
Speaking on behalf of the British Simmental Cattle Society, Chris Martindale, the Society’s President congratulated the Denizes team and said: “Triplet heifer calves in a show ring at the Royal Highland was an amazing spectacle, probably never seen before in a UK show ring, and the likes of which we may never see again. It was one of those cross over events that all exhibitors from all breeds, farmers in attendance at the show, and the general public all wanted and were intrigued to see. We are very grateful to the Royal Highland for recognising the uniqueness of this and allowing Denizes Trixie Belle and her triplet calves to be given centre stage on Saturday. It was a special moment and very well received by all watching.”
September 2018 born, Denizes Trixie Belle 15 is by the herd’s prolific stock bull Denizes Hamish 16, himself a past Reserve Male Champion at the Royal Highland, and is out of Denizes Trixie Belle 8, an Ashland Tornado daughter. All three heifer calves were born on the 12th October 2024 and were sired by the well-known Saltire Impressive.
Going on tour, Denizes Trixie Belle 15 and her triplet calves will now head to the Great Yorkshire Show due to be held on 8th – 11th July at Harrogate.
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