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.
by Iain | Jun 24, 2025 | 2025 Royal Highland Show, 2025 Scottish News, 2025 News, 2025, Uncategorised
Annick Ginger’s Lucia wins Simmental Overall Supreme
Corskie Mimic takes the Overall Reserve
Garmouth Robert crowned Male Champion
Corskie Pinette Overall Junior Champion
The remarkable Annick Ginger’s Lucia, from Reece & Andrew Simmers, Backmuir Farm, Keith, Banffshire, was at it again as she lifted the Simmental Overall Supreme Championship for the third year in a row on the opening day of the 2025 Royal Highland Show, Thursday 19th June, held at Ingliston, Edinburgh.
There were new show records aplenty as Annick Ginger’s Lucia becomes the first Simmental animal to seal a hat-trick of consecutive Supreme Championships at this premier show. The 2025 win also meant it was an unprecedented fourth Royal Highland win in a row for the Backmuir herd with their first win coming in 2022 with Islavale Lullaby, and when Annick Ginger’s Lucia was Overall Reserve!
Annick Ginger’s Lucia, Overall Supreme Simmental Champion, and Female Champion
Presiding over this year’s Simmental section was the judge for the day Andrew Clarke of the noted Breaghey Herd, Tynan, Co. Armagh, and who was full of praise for his choice of Champion. Commenting he said: “My Champion today is a fantastic example of the modern Simmental breed and she came out of a class of three outstanding cows just full of quality. Brim full of femininity she has so much style and presence in the ring. With a top line as straight as a die she has tremendous width to her, has a natural power, moves really well, and is making a good job of her calf at foot. A terrific Simmental cow and a very worthy Champion.”
February 2020 born, Annick 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 was shown at this year’s show with her April 2025 born bull calf at foot, Backmuir Sirius 25, sired by Backmuir King 19. Last year this much decorated Simmental cow won the Royal Highland Overall Supreme Individual Interbreed when shown with her bull calf at foot Backmuir Pompeii. Roll on twelve months and Pompeii also came to the party when winning a red ticket in his own right. A huge roll call of wins and accolades now on her show CV, firmly making her one of the most noted females in the breed’s history, Annick Ginger’s Lucia’s highlight wins include: three Royal Highland Show (RHS) Supreme Championships; the RHS Overall Supreme Individual Interbreed; the Scottish Simmental National Overall Supreme at Turriff, and the Individual Interbreed on the same day.
Commenting on the ‘double whammy’ of ‘four in a row’ RHS Supreme Championships, and within that Annick Ginger’s Lucia’s hat-trick, Reece Simmers said: “It’s very humbling to win the Overall Supreme Championship once at the Royal Highland Show, Scotland’s premier showcase, let alone an incredible four times in a row. The standard of competition is always so high as it was again this year and we would congratulate all of the exhibitors for the show of Simmental stock. By her nature Ginger’s Lucia is a really naturally showy animal and is easy to work with. From here we’ll consider whether she heads to the Scottish Simmental National Show at Perth in August.” Speaking generally about the Backmuir herd, which now stands at approximately 100 cows, Reece went on to say: “We’re looking to breed Simmental cattle, both bulls and females, that have power and size, weight at a young age, with good plates, tops, and length, that are growthy and easy fleshing, and carry that Simmental style to them. Ginger’s Lucia we think has many of these attributes and is a terrific template for the herd.” Later in the day, Annick Ginger’s Lucia teamed up with her full sister Annick Ginger’s Nutmeg, and her November 2023 born second calf Backmuir Pompeii, to win the Group of Three.
Backmuir Winning Group of Three
Of the show of cattle and the Simmental breed generally, the judge Andrew Clarke said: “It really was an honour to judge the Simmental section and I’d very much like to thank the RHS and British Simmental. I’d also say a huge well done to all of the exhibitors. There was quality throughout the Simmental lines and classes which made for some difficult decisions within what was a hugely enjoyable day. As I said prior to the show I’m big on style and correctness and modern Simmental cattle that have the attributes to breed and add value to a commercial market. I think we saw that today and it is reflective of the consistency and ongoing improvement that we are seeing in the Simmental breed generally.”
Judge Andrew Clarke in action at the 2025 Royal Highland Show
It was once again very much a ‘ladies day’ for this maternal breed and with females taking the Overall, Reserve Overall, and Overall Junior titles. Featuring strongly throughout the Championships, and with another top team forward was the Green family and with entries from the Corskie herd of WJ & J Green, and the Garmouth herd of Laura Green, at Corskie Farm, Garmouth, Fochabers.
Taking the Overall Supreme Reserve and the Overall Reserve Female was the stylish Corskie Mimic VG88 who had stood second to the Champion in her class before following her all the way through. Remarkably, it was the second time this January 2021 born female, out of Corskie Imitation, had stood in the same positions at the RHS, and again to Ginger’s Lucia, having done so in 2023! Mimic was also the Overall Junior Champion at the 2022 Scottish National Show, and her first calf, Corskie Phoney 23 sold for 13,000gns at the record breaking February 2025 sale at Stirling. Sired by Kilbride Farm Haka, she was shown with her terrific heifer calf at foot, the August 2024 born Corskie Role Play, a Rathnashan Magnum EX92 daughter. Of his Overall Reserve, Andrew Clarke said: “This is another terrific Simmental cow, well fleshed, and with terrific conformation. Full of style again, very feminine with a great top line and a lovely udder. A very modern type of female she walked really well and had a little more thickness than the Champion. With a super calf at foot this was a great outfit, a real picture.”
Corskie Mimic, Overall Reserve Supreme, and Reserve Female Champion
In the bulls and it was the turn of Laura Green who picked up the Male Championship, and the Junior Male Championship, with the young, April 2024 born bull, Garmouth Robert 24. With plenty of breeding behind him, this calf is by Rathnashan Magnum EX92, who has had sons to 20,000gns, and is out of Garmouth Glory’s Jessica who has previously bred the 10,000gns Garmouth Matt. Commenting on Garmouth Robert 24 the judge said: “ My Male Champion was a really smart, sweet young bull. Very modern, clean, with a good end, he had a great presence to him, moved extremely well, had plenty of style and with no roughness to him. He’s a bull with few faults and I have no doubt has a big future ahead of him.” On the Saturday, this young bull with both Terminal and Self Replacing Indexes in the top 5% of the breed, placed third Reserve in the Beef Breeder Interbreed. Plans now are that Garmouth Robert 24 will head to a forward Stirling Simmental Bull Sale.
Garmouth Robert, Overall Male Champion, Junior Male Champion, and Reserve Junior Overall
Keeping the titles coming for the green family was the Overall Junior Champion, and Junior Female Champion in the shape of the flashy Corskie Pinette. September 2023 born, Pinette is by Rathnashan Leonardo EX94, and is out of Corskie Jinette EX90. Again with plenty of breeding and performance in the pedigree, Rathnashan Leonardo EX94 is the sire of the 26,000gns Corskie Prime sold in February this year at Stirling, and is out of the Dirnanean Bradley daughter Corskie Jinette EX90 who has bred four heifer calves to date. Hitting the right notes for the judge, Andrew Clarke commented: “This heifer just caught me right away, and I just really liked her. Smart and stylish she’s sweet throughout, very correct with a lovely head, and having that ‘look at me’ presence and quality. She has fantastic hindquarters with a lovely softness to her, and is the type of heifer that would stand well in any company.”
Corskie Pinette, Overall Junior Champion and Junior Female Champion
Standing in the Reserve Junior Female position was another from the Simmers Backmuir herd and in the shape of the flashy heifer Backmuir Lu Lu’s Rosalu and who was first in the second class of the day. February 2024 born, this young heifer is another with a depth of pedigree being sired by Backmuir King 19, the Male Champion at the 2023 RHS, and out of the 18,000gns Brandane Lu Lu who was purchased at the Nxt Gen II Sale at Carlisle in 2022. Backmuir Lu Lu’s Rosalu was herself a first prize winner at last year’s Scottish Simmental National Show.
Backmuir Lu Lu’s Rosalu, Reserve Junior Female Champion
Back in the bulls and putting up a stout defence of his Male Championship from last year was Annick Nazareth 22 from Jim & Elizabeth Dyet’s Merkland Herd, East Merkland Farm, Strathaven, Lanarkshire, and who this year took the Reserve Male Championship. April 2022 born, Annick Nazareth is by Kilbride Farm Karl 19 (P), and is out of Annick Fresias Kiki VG85 who herself was Female and Reserve Overall Champion at the Royal Highland in 2021. Annick Nazareth 22 was purchased as a calf at foot for 7500gns (for the unit) at the Annick Dispersal Sale, and in 2023 the Dyets showed him at the Scottish National Simmental Show at Dumfries and where he won Reserve Junior Male.
Annick Nazareth 22, Overall Reserve Male Champion
Always bringing good cattle to the RHS, and with previous Supreme Championship wins behind them, Gerald & Morag Smith, Fordoun, Laurencekirk were to the fore again and when taking the Reserve Junior Male title with their powerful December 2024 born bull Drumsleed Rocco 24. This calf, with a Maternal (Milk) figure of +9, is by the prolific AI bull team Celtic, and is out of a ‘big cow’ Drumsleed Akira, a Hockenhull Matthew daughter. Drumsleed Rocco will now be aimed at the Stirling Bull Sale in October this year. Enjoying another good day, the Smiths also had a class win in the females with the stylish Drumsleed Poppy, a Rockytop Lucifer daughter out of Drumsleed Irene 17, taking the red ticket in the fourth class of the day.
Drumsleed Rocco, Reserve Junior Male Champion
A special mention also goes to the rising seven year old Denizes Trixi Belle 15 from MA Barlow & Sons, Four Oaks, Ulnes, Nr Leyland, Lancashire, and who placed first in the final female class of the day. Marking this Denizes Hamish 16 daughter out was the unique spectacle of her being shown with her triplet heifer calves at foot. A sight that wowed the watching and attending crowds over four days, it is thought to be the first time triplets, a 100,000 – 1 chance, have been shown in a Simmental ring or perhaps any show ring, in the United Kingdom! Look out on Facebook for more coverage of mum and her calves!
Denizes Trixi Belle 15 with her triplet heifer calves
Overall Championship Presentation
Junior Championship Presentation
Male Championship Presentation
2025 Royal Highland Show
Thursday 19th June 2025
Judge Mr Andrew Clarke, Tynan, Co Armagh
Results
Class 263 Female, born on or after 1st April 2024
1st H Duff Pitmudie Roselyn
Pitmudie Roselyn
2nd Gavin Brown Springfield Rose
3rd Gavin Brown Islavale Raven
Class 264 Female, born between 1st January and 31st March 2024
1st R&A Simmers Backmuir Lu Lu’s Rosalu
2nd Laura Green Garmouth Kim’s Rachel
3rd R&A Simmers Backmuir Lucia’s Rumba
4th WJ&J Green Corskie Right
Class 265 Female, born on or between 1st July and 31st December 2023
1st WJ&J Green Corskie Pinette
2nd WJ&J Green Corskie Pence
3rd Bowhill Simmentals Bowhill Petal
4th J&E Dyet Merkland Pippa
5th Gavin Brown Springfield Prada
Class 266 Female, born on or between 1st January and 30th June 2023
1st G&M Smith Drumsleed Poppy 23
Drumsleed Poppy
2nd H Duff Pitmudie Primrose
3rd H Duff Pitmudie Pandora (P)
4th Bowhill Simmentals Bowhill Poppy
5th J&E Dyet Merkland Paula
Class 267 Female, calved before 3 years or due to calve before 3 years old, in milk or in calf born 2022
1st R&A Simmers Annick Gingers Nutmeg
Annick Gingers Nutmeg
Class 268 Female, born in 2020 or 2021 in milk or certified in calf at time of show
1st R&A Simmers Annick Ginger’s Lucia
2nd WJ&J Green Corskie Mimic
3rd James Hodge Heathbrow Milky Way
Class 269 Female, born on or before 31st December 2019, in milk or certified in calf at time of show
1st Barlow Brothers Denizes Trixie Belle 15
Class 270 Bull, born on or after 1st April 2024
1st Laura Green Garmouth Robert 24
2nd H Duff Pitmudie Rambo 24
3rd WJ&J Green Corskie Roll 24
271 Bull, born on or between 1st January and 31st March 2024
1st G&M Smith Drumsleed Rocco 24
2nd WJ&J Green Corskie Rome 24
3rd G&M Smith Drumsleed Rambo 24
4th Jack Shaw Inverdunning Ricky 24 (P)
5th Dean Saunders Maidenlands Rolo 24 (PP)
6th H Duff Pitmudie Rolex 24
7th Jack Shaw Inverdunning Romeo 24
272 Bull, born on or between 1st January and 31st December 2023
1st R&A Simmers Backmuir Pompeii 23
Backmuir Pompeii
273 Bull, born on or before 31st December 2022
1st J&E Dyet Annick Nazareth 22
2nd Crinan Dunbar Islavale Kristoff 19
Overall Supreme Champion
Annick Ginger’s Lucia R&A Simmers
Reserve Supreme Champion
Corskie Mimic WJ&J Green
Overall Female Champion
Annick Ginger’s Lucia R&A Simmers
Overall Reserve Female Champion
Corskie Mimic WJ&J Green
Overall Male Champion
Garmouth Robert 24 Laura Green
Overall Reserve Male Champion
Annick Nazareth 22 J&E Dyet
Overall Junior Champion
Corskie Pinette WJ&J Green
Overall Reserve Junior Champion
Garmouth Robert 24 Laura Green
Champion Junior Female
Corskie Pinette WJ&J Green
Reserve Junior Female
Backmuir Lu Lu’s Rosalu R&A Simmers
Champion Junior Male
Garmouth Robert 24 Laura Green
Reserve Junior Male
Drumsleed Rocco 24 G&M Smith
Best Group
R&A Simmers
Annick Ginger’s Nutmeg; Annick Ginger’s Lucia; Backmuir Pompeii 23
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 Nicky Moreton | May 2, 2025 | 2025 Scottish News, 2025 News, 2025 Stirling Sales, 2025
At the pre-sale show of bulls being held on Sunday May 4th at 11am, Gavin Brown of the noted Springfield Simmental herd, Penicuik, Midlothian will be the very capable ‘man in the middle’ as the judge for the day.
Gavin and his wife Anna established the Springfield herd in 2014, some four years after purchasing the 140 acre Springfield Farm situated near the Pentland Hills.
The herd was initiated with the purchase of two cows with calves at foot from the local Woodhall herd of Hector McAskill, and two further cows, again with calves at foot, from the Hazelden Dispersal Sale of N McGeoch, Lochlea Farm, Kilmarnock.
In the very early stages after purchase, considerable work and time was needed to build Springfield Farm up. Gavin was looking for a pure bred animal that could be run commercially with low input, to try and keep running costs to a minimum, and a breed that was easy to work with and calf as the farm had very little in the way of handling facilities. So fitting this bill, it was the Simmental breed that Gavin and Anna turned to.
Today, and built around a base of quality bloodlines, the Springfield herd now comprises of 30 Simmental breeding females and with the herd having met with considerable success in both the sale and show ring.
Increasingly prolific, the herd’s sale averages have increased year on year to a best performance to date in February (this year) when eight bulls sold to a mighty average of £8250. This included a new herd top price at sale of £14,175 for Springfield Pace, (a son of the herd’s influential stock sire Islavale Jabba 18 (ET) EX92), and which sold to Orkney.
Another noted sale highlight for Gavin was in October 2022 when the Springfield herd had its first heifers for sale at Stirling and which averaged £4500, with a top of £6200. Four of the heifers were purchased by the high profile Popes herd of Jimmy and Vikki Wood, Dutton, Lancashire. For good measure on the same day, the herd sold four bulls, which had finished first, second, and third in their classes, and to average £5000. Live sales and semen sales have now seen Springfield genetics go world wide and including to China, Germany, Switzerland, and Turkey.
A keen supporter of the summer and winter shows, locally and nationally, the herd has met with many successes and including in the last four years, Simmental Championship wins at: the Simmental Youngstock Show at Carlisle; Stars of the Future Calf Show in Stirling; and LiveScot at Lanark. The aforementioned Islavale Jabba also secured the Senior Male Championship at the 2023 Simmental Scottish National, and was the World Silver Medallist for the breed in the Simmental Breeder online show.
Islavale Jabba has been prolific stock bull for the Springfield herd
13,500gns Springfield Pace
Speaking generally on the Simmental breed, why it fits the bill within the Springfield enterprise, and why it is proving so popular with commercial producers, Gavin commented: “I think the Simmental is one of the most commercial pedigree cows you can get. Low cost and low maintenance is so important but still striving to have that high daily live weight gain. It’s a balance the Simmentals have that I believe no other breed can match. Ease of calving is a real plus, and easy fleshing cattle just give you high outputs with low inputs. Generally females need to be able to survive on grass, whilst being milky, having a frame that supports easy calving, and carries enough flesh to support its calf through the first 6-8 months. To me these are the qualities where the Simmental excels and will give the breed the edge in future beef production.”
Turning to the bull sale at Stirling, and the judging job at hand this coming Sunday, and Gavin will again look to keep this very commercial focus. Speaking to the Society he said: “It’s an honour to be asked to Judge at the renowned Stirling Bull Sales and I’m very much looking forward to it. As ever I’m sure there will be a great show of Simmental stock with little to split between them. In selecting a winner I’ll definitely be focused on the demands of our commercial buyers and will be looking for bulls with good size, length, are well fleshed without being too extreme, or are overly powerful. As with any judging, fantastic breed character will always help that one special beast stand out from the rest!
Gavin, we very much hope that you enjoy your day, and the best of luck is extended to all Simmental vendors.
Judging Sunday May 4th, 11am
Sale of Simmental Bulls Monday May 5th, 12 Noon
It’s ‘time for a Simmental’ on Monday May 5th, with 35 bulls catalogued for the sale at United Auctions, Stirling FK9 4RN.
Please click on the link here to see the full published catalogue and timetable:
https://www.uagroup.co.uk/download_file/e166d153-2fec-4213-b27a-0a053681c0c3/1
by Rachel Foley | Mar 13, 2025 | 2025 Scottish News, 2025 News, 2025, Uncategorised
Showcasing tremendous longevity and prolificacy, it’s a big happy birthday to the noted Simmental bull Team Celtic who yesterday, 12th March, enjoyed his 14th birthday at home in the Wolfstar herd of Ross King, and his parents Alex and Marion, at Ormiston, East Lothian.
Team Celtic pictured in 2016
A gold star example of the traits and all round value the Simmental breed is renowned for, Team Celtic has been used on commercial cows as well as pedigree cows and has sired close on 300 calves at Wolfstar. Through AI in herds across the UK, he also has some 377 pedigree progeny to his name, confirming his status as one of the most influential modern sires in the British Simmental Herdbook.
Born on the 12th March 2011, Team Celtic was bred by Robert MacGregor, Kirkton of Mailler, Craigend, Perth. He is sired by Auchorachan Winger, a Clonagh Tiger Gallant son, and is out of the Tilbrook Noble daughter, Team Kiwi 4, herself a twin to a female. Rolling on to the Stirling Simmental Sale in October 2012 and it was there that the Kings first set eyes on him and paid what has turned out to be a ‘bargain’ 11,000gns price! Commenting Ross King said: “At the Stirling Sale, Celtic just had a great growth and length, and we thought he was a very natural bull with lots of potential in him. We liked his pedigree and thought he was an obvious choice to complement our cows at the time.”
Team Celtic on sale day at Stirling in 2012 and where he made 11,000gns
It has proven to be a shrewd investment and from the outset Team Celtic bred consistently well producing both quality bulls and females. “We have no doubt that Celtic’s progeny was a formative part in putting the Wolfstar herd on the map and getting it noticed. In large measure it’s his success that made us grow the pedigree herd from 40 to 70 pedigree cows.”
The quality of the progeny, allied to some ‘cannae’ marketing on Facebook and in the Society’s Review publication, quickly grew a lot of interest and demand for Team Celtic genetics: ’All marketing of the semen has been carried out by ourselves, but again it’s his progeny that has done most of the talking. Catherine MacGregor also took some great photos of him in his prime and that enabled us to share how well he had matured,” says Ross.
Team Celtic sons have done extremely well at Stirling Sales, with many prize and section winners, and two Overall Supreme Champions. At the recent 2025 February Simmental Sale at Stirling, the breed record breaking 56,000gns Hemingford Prince Charming was sired by a Team Celtic son, Saltire Jaguar. At the same sale Wolfstar Prototype, and Wolfstar Pocket Rocket both sold for 14,000gns, and with Celtic sons at Stirling from the Wolfstar herd alone having now averaged over a terrific £11,900. The top price Team Celtic sired bull to date is the 28,000gns Islavale Magnum from WS Stronach, Keith, purchased by Delfur Farms, Aberlour in October 2022.
Team Celtic son Islavale Magnum 28,000gns
Continuing Ross says: “It’s the bulls that get the headlines but we believe that his females are actually better! As a herd we don’t show so Celtic’s heifers don’t get the same exposure the bulls do. Just mentioning two daughters but we think Wolfstar Flame is probably the best animal Team Celtic has bred here, and Wolfstar Forget-Me-Not has bred two bulls at 17,000gns (Wolfstar Jimmy Choo, and Wolfstar Nobleman).”
Wolfstar Forget-Me-Not, dam of two 17,000gns Wolfstar bulls.
Other Simmental herds have enjoyed great success in the show ring with Team Celtic breeding and including the multi-titled Annick Ginger’s Lucia, the 2024 Individual Interbreed Champion at the Royal Highland, from Reece & Andrew Simmers Backmuir herd, who is by the Team Celtic sired Wolfstar Gold Digger. The 2022 English National Show Champion came in the shape of Popes Princess Lumi from the Wood family, Dutton, Preston, and with Popes Princess Noor, from the same home, taking the 2024 Great Yorkshire Show title. Both are Team Celtic daughters. Back in the sale ring, and the 37,000gns top price at Stirling in May 2024 was Denizes Nugget from MA Barlow & Sons, Leyland, Lancashire and who is out of the Team Celtic daughter Ashland Topaz Janet.
Team Celtic daughter Popes Princess Lumi, Supreme & Female Champion 2022 English National Show
Backing up his pedigree and performance in the sale and show ring, and through the strength of his progeny, Team Celtic’s figures feature at the top end of many of the breed’s terminal and maternal traits (and with high levels of accuracy). Celtic is in the top 1% for 200; 400; and 600 day growth; Maternal (Milk); and Carcase Weight. His Terminal Production Index and Self Replacing Index values are also both in the breed’s top 1%. “Team Celtic’s progeny have just continued to improve his figures” says Ross. “The biggest change has been his Maternal (Milk) EBV. Since buying him as a young bull, and after his daughters started calving, his Milk figures just pushed on to one point where he had the highest breed figures for the trait”
Here he is and looking sprightly, the birthday boy Team Celtic, pictured yesterday 12th March 2025
So how is the birthday boy now and after his big day. “Celtic is showing his age a bit now but he really is still very fit and mobile. Visitors have always been impressed with his locomotion even with his size and power. At 14 he is still eager to work, but we are selective with the females we put to him, and last year he just got a handful of heifers. We know we are into bonus years but so long as he is fit and healthy he will stay with us at Wolfstar. He’s leaving a huge legacy here and is very much one of the family now..”, says Ross. Well said that man!
Commenting BSCS General Manager Iain Kerr said: “It’s a great story of a working bull, leaving his mark and legacy in a herd and a breed, and at a human level with a family, that I’m sure will resonate with a lot of cattle breeders. Team Celtic continues to be a hugely influential bull in the Simmental breed and the Wolfstar herd, and that is a great credit to the King family picking and purchasing him in the first instance, and for their herd management of him thereafter. With over 600+ progeny, many of which have proven to be both high end pedigree breeding bulls and females, Team Celtic really has generated a significant ‘one-bull economy’ with what will be a huge collective monetary value, as well as a breeding legacy. We market and promote the Simmental breed for it’s efficiency, what it brings in both its leading maternal and terminal traits, and for its longevity. Team Celtic is a gold star example of this and we wish him a very Happy Birthday!
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