by Iain | Oct 22, 2025 | 2025 Scottish News, 2025 News, 2025 Stirling Sales, 2025
- 61 Bulls average £11,070, up by £3636 on the year
- Simmental leads all-breed averages and the solo five figure average
- Average is a new all-centre Simmental breed record
- 28 bulls (46%) make 10,000gns or more
- 86% clearance of bulls
- Ten bulls sell to the Scottish islands
- Newbiemains heifer tops females at 7500gns
Stirling was the place to be as the Simmental breed enjoyed a record-breaking sale at United Auctions on Monday 20th October, with a top price of 30,000gns and a breed record average of £11,070 for 61 sold through the ring.
An incredible 28 bulls reached 10,000gns or more and which saw the average increase on the year by a massive £3,636 and for 12 more sold. In all the sale saw an 86% clearance of the bulls forward. Reflecting the ongoing momentum in the breed, the Simmental average was the highest across all breeds in the week. The sale average of £11,070 was a new Simmental breed record figure, eclipsing the £9832 figure set at Stirling in February this year.
Garmouth Robert 30,000gns
Leading the trade at a fantastic 30,000gns, was the April 2024 born Garmouth Robert from the 12-cow herd of Laura Beattie, Corskie Farm, Garmouth, Fochabers. In the pre-sale show this bull had stood as Junior Champion, and Overall Reserve under the eye of the judge Geoff Anderson of the noted Quarryhill herd, and herd manager of the Pitgaveny herd, Wester Greens Farm, Lossiemouth. Garmouth Robert is a son of Rathnashan Magnum, who had previously bred bulls up to 20,000gns, and is out of Garmouth Glory’s Jessica, a daughter of the 45,000gns Bel Dhu Capercaillie. Earlier in the summer, and in his only show outing, Garmouth Robert had placed Overall Male and Junior Male Champion at the Royal Highland Show. Of his Overall Reserve Champion, the judge Geoff Anderson said: “This was a strong bull with a great length to him, very square, full in the plates, walked really well, and with a lot of breed character.” The day’s top priced bull sold to the noted Backmuir herd of Reece and Andrew Simmers, Backmuir Farm, Keith.
Corskie Rome 20,000gns
It was a memorable day all round for the Green family, Corskie Farm, Garmouth. The pre-sale show saw the family double with Corskie taking the Overall, and with Garmouth lifting the Overall Reserve. The herd also won the Group of Three with Corskie Rye, Rosco, and Randy, all sons of Blackford Mars. Sale time saw Garmouth take the 30,000gns top price and with the six Corskie bulls averaging a mighty £14,490 and to a top of 20,000gns for the Champion, Corskie Rome. The October Sale followed on from the trend set in February and where the herd averaged £13,220 for eleven bulls!
Team Corskie line up of bulls
Speaking afterwards a delighted British Simmental Cattle Society President, Chris Martindale, said: “It’s been a tremendous Simmental sale and I’d like to congratulate the breeders who continue to raise the bar in bringing bulls full of quality and consistency in type. On the ground commercial buyers are really seeing the advantages of modern Simmental genetics and as we’ve seen today are competing with pedigree breeders for the bulls on offer and willing to go to top prices. As we’ve said quality females are the engine room of a suckler herd and commercial producers recognise the benchmark Simmental maternal traits of fertility, milk, calving ease, and docility. These quality, modern, easy fleshing bulls are providing that and with the added recognition of what they’re doing in terms of growth, age at slaughter, and daily carcase gain. Commercial producers are backing their judgement and seeing the benefits in their females and what Simmental calves are going on to do as both store and fattening cattle.” The sale saw bulls sell to the very north of Scotland, with eleven bulls heading to the islands, and all the way down to Newquay, Cornwall. Other trends on the day saw bulls with good figures, particularly milk, easily sold, and with a demand for the bulls on offer with polled genetics.
Islavale Ruben 26,000gns
Also enjoying another fantastic sale day was the Islavale herd of WS Stronach, Berryleys Farm, Grange, Keith who sold eight bulls to average a mighty £17,062, a record for the herd, and with a top price of 26,000gns. Fetching their top price was Islavale Ruben who stood second in his class to the day’s top priced bull. April 2024 born this bull is by Rockytop Luca, who was bought privately, and is out of the Shacon Hannibal sired dam Islavale Teresa. Heading back near home, Islavale Ruben was bought by Ryan Smith, Towiemore, Keith, who runs a noted commercial herd of 240 cows, and along with the establishing Towiemore pedigree herd. Of Islavale Ruben Ryan Smith said: “This is a very modern Simmental bull with plenty of length, and great width from front to back. He has a very good square back end, plenty of depth to him, and is full in his plates. I like his markings and think he’s a very stylish well put together bull, and just what I was looking for. The bull will be used on the pedigree cows initially we’ll also look to take some semen from him.”
Islavale Rico 18,000gns
Islavale Raymondo 17,000gns
Islavale Rookie 17,000gns
Islavale Rockstar 14,000gns
Islavale Rocco 13,000gns
Islavale Radar 13,000gns
Islavale Reggie 12,000gns
The Reserve Junior Champion, Islavale Rico, made 18,000gns when being bought by the aforementioned Green family for their 180-cow Corskie herd. May 2024 born this is one of the first bulls by the homebred Islavale McCoist, the sire of the 8500gns Champion Calf at the 2024 Next Gen Sale, to be offered for sale. Two further bulls by Islavale McCoist made 17,000gns, including Islavale Raymondo, who sold to commercial producers JG Callum Ashlea, Milton of Culloden, Inverness. Islavale Rookie made the same price when selling to Cameron and Valerie Fraser from Housebay Farm, Stronsay, Orkney. Other Islavale bulls saw 14,000gns paid for Islavale Rockstar, to TC and G Greenhill, Craighill Farm, Dundee; 13,000gns for the Reserve Intermediate Champion Islavale Rocco, to TG Hamilton, Killumpha Farm, Wigtownshire; 13,000gns for Islavale Radar to Welbeck Scottish Farms, Worksop, Nottinghamshire; and 12,000gns for Islavale Reggie, to K and S Meason, Frustigarth, Shapinsay, Orkney. Quite a day at the sale for the Islavale herd.
Judge Geoff Anderson with Society President Chris Martindale
So to the day’s Overall Supreme Champion, Corksie Rome from the Green family. This January 2024 born bull had taken the red ticket in the first class of the day before moving on to lift the Senior Championship, and then getting the Overall Champion tap out in front of what was a truly packed ringside. Another by Rathnashan Magnum, the same sire as with the day’s leading price, Corksie Rome is out of Corskie Kabasha GP 84, a daughter of the herd’s noted sire Kilbride Farm Haka. Of his choice of Overall Champion bull, the judge Geoff Anderson said: “My Champion bull had great power, length, and depth of body. He had a tremendous top and width to him, very square, and was full in his plates. Good on his legs he walked well and is a bull that can follow his cows. With a lot of breed character he was a worthy champion and I think a very complete Simmental bull.”
Come sale time, and early in the ring, a flurry of bids saw this bull reach 20,000gns before being knocked down to Gary & Angela Christie who run the Rockytop pedigree herd of 70 cows, alongside a 50 cow commercial herd, at Birchfield, Glass, Huntly. Speaking today, Gary Christie said: “We think this bull is really well put together. He’s balanced, with good depth, clean all the way through with a great top on him, and has a very nice nature about him as we’re seeing straight away having him home. We saw him initially at the Highland Show, where he stood second, and saw him again on farm. When I then saw him at Stirling he had gone on again and I hoped we could buy him. Plans are that he’ll be gradually introduced to the cows going up to 25 in June, and we’ll look to take some semen off him in the spring.”
Corskie Rosco 15,000gns
Corskie Roll 14,000gns
Corskie Randy 12,000gns
Other Corskie buyers saw noted commercial producer Robert Manson, Brodieshill, Alves, pay 15,000gns for Corskie Rosco, a part of the winning Group of Three, and of the one of the first bulls offered by the 14,000gns Blackford Mars, with Graham Allan of the noted Glenturk herd, Glenturk Farm, Newton Stewart, purchasing Corskie Roll, a Rathnashan Leonardo son, also for 14,000gns. Selling at 12,000gns was Corskie Randy, another of the Group of Three winners by Blackford Mars, and who stood third in his class to the day’s top price. This bull went commercially to the Duke Fife, Elsick Estate Office, Mains of Newhall, Stonehaven.
Grangewood Robert the Bruce 18,000gns
Three further bulls on the day sold at 18,000gns and including the much-admired Reserve Senior Champion, Grangewood Robert The Bruce, from the Leedham family, Andrew, Yvonne & Callum, Boghead farm, Tarbolton, Ayrshire. February 2024 born, Grangewood Robert The Bruce is by Ranfurly Impeccable, who has sired bulls for the herd up to 20,000gns, and is out of Grangewood Gretal’s Lyla VG 87, a Grangewood Glenlivet daughter. With a track record behind him, this bull was the Male Champion at this year’s Scottish Simmental National Show held in Perth and was Reserve Junior Champion at last year’s Simmental Youngstock Show held within the Borderway Agri Expo. Again a ‘very correct, stylish bull, with length and width, who walked extremely well’, Grangewood Robert The Bruce was sold to North Yorkshire and the Habton pedigree herd of Alex Bulmer, Coultas Farm, Malton.
Blackford Rob Roy 18,000gns
Anne MacPherson, Blackford Farm, Croy, Inverness also made 18,000gns for the Intermediate Champion Blackford Rob Roy, who was another high-quality bull to go commercially when selling to Rory McKenzie, Wester Craiglands, Fortrose. March 2024 born, Blackford Rob Roy is sired by Blackford Nimrod 22, a Heathbrow Important 17 son and out of Blackford Jazzy 2, a Blackford Galaxy daughter. Rob Roy is the first calf by Blackford Nimrod who was sold privately to the Boars Head herd in the South of England, and is out of Blackford Jazzy 2 EX 93, a daughter of the noted Blackford Galaxy a previous Royal Highland Champion.
Newbiemains Red Bull 18,000gns
AD Sutherland & Sons, Connachie, Kellas, Elgin who run the Glenlossie herd, paid 18,000gns for Newbiemains Red Bull from Jim and Patricia Goldie, Newbiemains, Annan. This March 2024 bull by Annick Klondyke 19 EX 94 comes from a cow family of three EX classified dams and is out of Newbiemains Ice Tea EX 91. With a depth of pedigree and performance, Newbiemains Red Bull had one of the highest Maternal (Milk) figures in the catalogue at +13. Newbiemains Rafiki, another Klondyke son made 7000gns when selling to A&J Buchanan, Hawick. Later in the day, the Newbiemains herd held a successful draft sale of fourteen heifers that saw a top price of 7500gns with details at the end of this report.
Auchorachan Revolution 16,000gns
Another breeder enjoying a strong day’s trading for a terrific pen of bulls was D&R Durno & Sons, Auchorachan, Glenlivet, Ballindalloch. Two bulls sold at 16,000gns, with further bulls at 14,000gns, and 7000gns. The first bull at 16,000gns was the heterozygous polled bull Auchorachan Revolution 24 (P), one of the first by the €16,200 Coose Nebraska, and out of Auchorachan Hilly 8 EX 93, a Team Fergus daughter. Another bull with good figures, Auchorachan Revolution 24 (P), who is in the breed’s top 10% for 400 and 600 day weight; and in the top 20% for Maternal (Milk), sold to Maesquoy Farms, Harray, Orkney.
Auchorachan Roland 16,000gns
Auchorachan Redhill 14,000gns
Also at 16,000gns was the March 2024 born Auchorachan Roland, who stood second in his class to the Reserve Intermediate Champion. This bull is sired by Coose Nelson (P) and is out of Auchorachan Hilly 6 EX 91, who was Junior Champion at the Stars of the Future Show as a calf. Auchorachan Roland 24, who is in the breed’s top 20% for Maternal (Milk) was bought by commercial producer Andrew Swanson, Quarryside, Thurso. At 14,000gns was Auchorachan Redhill 24, another son of Coose Nelson (P), and out of Redhill Tracey VG 87, a Woodhall Earl13 daughter. This bull headed to the very south of England when being bought by Steve & Gill Gummow for their noted Killiworgie pedigree herd at Higher Killaworgey Farm, Blackcross, Newquay, Cornwall.
Popes Randolph 16,000gns
Popes Rollo 13,000gns
The Wood family’s Popes herd from Lancashire, also saw a top price of 16,000gns paid for Popes Randolph 24, the second prize winner in in Class Six. April 2024 born Popes Randolph 24 is by the €52,000 Clonagh Lucky Explorer, and is out of Popes Whispers Idella. The Reserve Male, and Reserve Junior Champion at the 2025 English Simmental National Show, Popes Randolph also went commercially when selling to DF Stewart, Balglass, Lennoxtown, Glasgow. A few lots later and Popes Rollo 24 made 13,000gns and who was purchased by A Whiteford, Moulandale, Kemnay, Inverurie. Similarly bred, this bull is also by Clonagh Lucky Explorer and out of another Kilbride Farm Comber daughter, Popes Nelly’s Gypsy GP 84.
Innerwick Rockstar 14,000gns
Innerwick Rocky 11,000gns
Winning class three and going on to make 14,000gns was the March 2024 born Innerwick Rockstar from Dorothy Moffat, Innerwick, Dunbar. This bull is by the 16,000gns Delfur Maverick and out of Innerwick Irma, a Curaheen Gold Digger daughter. With width and depth of second thigh to him, this bull went to a pedigree herd when selling to Heather Duff who runs the Pitmudie herd at Brechin, Angus. Innerwick Rocky 24 made 11,000gns and was another bull to go to Orkney when snapped up by GT&S Coghill, Muce, Birsay. March 2024 born, and with a + 11 Maternal (Milk) figure, Rocky is by the 18,000gns Wolfstar Jimmy Choo, and is out of Innerwick Hermione.
Overhill House Rambo 13,000gns
Overhill House Rascal 11,000gns
Bulls from Richard McCulloch’s Overhill House herd, Armadale, West Lothian, sold for 13,000gns, 11,000gns, 9000gns, and 8000gns. Leading the way at 13,000gns was the April 2024 born Overhill House Rambo 24 (P), who went to the Woodhall pedigree herd of F&J MacAskill, Woodhall farm, Innerwick, Dunbar. A bull with a +11 for Maternal (Milk), Rambo 24 (P), is by Kilbride Farm Merlin 21, and is out of the Hoeness (P) daughter Overhill House Eclipse (P). Also by Kilbride Farm Merlin 21, Overhill House Rascal 24 made 11,000gns when selling to MJ & AM Mill, Shawsmill Farm, Lochgelly, Fife.
Pitmudie Rambler 11,000gns
Heather Duff’s Pitmudie herd, Brechin, Angus had a sale top price of 11,000gns for Pitmudie Rambler. This bull Kyleston Kaiser, and out of the entirely homebred Pitmudie Melissa, was purchased by Alan and Stuart Nicolson, Relugas Mains, Forres. The 11,000gns marked a new sale top price to date for the 50-cow Pitmudie herd.
Backmuir Rusty 10,000gns
Backmuir Pompei 12,500gns
Reece and Andrew Simmers, Keith, sold Backmuir Rusty, for 10,000gns to A&F Baillie, Low Glasnick Farm, Newton Stewart. A January 2024 born bull, Rusty is an AI calf by the 17,000gns Wolfstar Jimmy Choo and is out of Ballykin Lady May. Beyond the sale, Backmuir Pompeii, a Backmuir Marksman son out of the much-decorated Annick Ginger’s Lucia was sold for 12,500gns to Farquharson Farms, Darley, Fyvie, Aberdeenshire.
Selling at 10,000gns, was the junior bull Strathisla Rhinestone from Strathisla Farms, Blairgowrie. Sired by Rathnashan Newton VG 87, and out of Strathisla Echo’s Twiggy EX 90, this bull with a Maternal (Milk) figure of + 11, went to to J Gunn, Carsgoe, Halkirk, Caithness.
The aforementioned sale of heifers saw nineteen forward in total with fourteen of those from the Newbiemains herd of Jim and Patricia Goldie, Newbiemains, Dumfries. The top price paid was 7500gns for the May 2024 heifer Newbiemains Red Rachel (P) who is homozygous polled. Sired by the noted Auchorachan Hercules 16 (ET) EX 92, and out of Fole Rachel 15 (P) EX 92, Red Rachel (P) was bought by Raeside Farm, Ladeside, Fenwick, Kilmarnock. Two lots later was Newbiemains R.Wanda who sold for 5500gns to AH Smith, Low Arkland Farm, Castle Douglas. This heifer is by Carbery Lightening EX 91 and is out of Newbiemains Miss Wanda GP 84.
7500gns top price heifer, Newbiemains Red Rachel (P)
Overall Championship presentation – Corskie Rome & Garmouth Robert
Senior Championship presentation – Corskie Rome & Grangewood Robert the Bruce
Intermediate Championship presentation – Blackford Rob Roy & Islavale Rocco
Junior Championship presentation – Garmouth Robert & Islavale Rico
Group of 3 – Corskie Rye, Rosco & Randy
LIST OF LEADING PRICES INCLUDED:
30,000gns Lot 342 Garmouth Robert sold to Reece & Andrew Simmers, Backmuir Farm, Keith
26,000gns Lot 340 Islavale Ruben sold to Ryan Smith, Towiemore Farm, Drummuir, Keith
20,000gns Lot 273 Corskie Rome sold to Gary & Angela Christie, Birchfield, Midtown of Glass, Huntly
18,000gns Lot 281 Grangewood Robert The Bruce sold to A J Bulmer, Coultas Farm, Great Habton, Malton, Yorkshire
18,000gns Lot 305 Blackford Rob Roy sold to J McKenzie & Co, Wester Craiglands, Fortrose, Inverness
18,000gns Lot 314 Newbiemains Red Bull sold to A D Sutherland & Sons, Connachie, Elgin
18,000gns Lot 351 Islavale Rico sold to W J & J Green, Corskie, Garmouth, Fochabers
17,000gns Lot 324 Islavale Raymondo sold to J G Callum, Ashlea, Milton of Culloden, Inverness
17,000gns Lot 349 Islavale Rookie sold to C & V Fraser, Housebay Farm, Stronsay, Orkney
16,000gns Lot 295 Auchorachan Revolution sold to Maesquoy Farms, Maesquoy Farm, Harray, Orkney
16,000gns Lot 317 Auchorachan Roland sold to Messrs Swanson, Quarryside, Castleton, Caithness
16,000gns Lot 330 Popes Randolph sold to Mr D F Stewart, Balglass, Lennoxtown, Glasgow
15,000gns Lot 283 Corskie Rosco sold to D & G Manson & Son, Brodieshill, Alves, Forres
14,000gns Lot 300 Innerwick Rockstar sold to Heather Duff, Pitmudie, Brechin, Angus
14,000gns Lot 334 Corskie Roll sold to Graham Allan, Glenturk Farm, Newton Stewart, Wigton
14,000gns Lot 336 Auchorachan Redhill sold to S A & G Gummow, Higher Killaworgey Farm, Blackcross, Newquay, Cornwall
14,000gns Lot 350 Islavale Rockstar sold to Craighill Farms, Duntrune, By Dundee
13,000gns Lot 320 Islavale Rocco sold to T G Hamilton, Killumpha Farm, Port Logan, Wigtonshire
13,000gns Lot 323 Islavale Radar sold to Welbeck Scottish Farms Ltd, Cavendish House, Welbeck, Worksop
13,000gns Lot 335 Overhill House Rambo sold to F & J Macaskill, Woodhall Farm, Innerwick, Dunbar
13,000gns Lot 338 Popes Rollo sold to A Whiteford, Moulandale, Kemnay, Inverurie
12,500gns Lot 268 Backmuir Pompeii sold to Farquharson Farms, Darley, Fyvie, Aberdeenshire
12,000gns Lot 307 Islavale Reggie sold to K & S Meason, Frustigarth, Shapinsay, Orkney
12,000gns Lot 339 – Corskie Randy sold to The Duke Fife, Elsick Estate Office, Mains of Newhall, Newtonhill, Stonehaven
11,000gns Lot 306 Innerwick Rocky sold to G T & S Coghill, Muce, Birsay, Orkney
11,000gns Lot 309 Overhill House Rascal sold to M J & A M Mill, Shawsmill Farm, Cardenden, Lochgelly, Fife
11,000gns Lot 321 Pitmudie Rambler sold to A Nicolson, Relugas Mains Farm, Dunphail, Forres
10,000gns Lot 274 Backmuir Rusty sold to A & F Baillie, Low Glasnick Farm, Kirkcowan, Newton Stewart
10,000gns Lot 353 Strathisla Rhinestone sold to Firm of James S Gunn, Carsgoe, Halkirk, Caithness
9500gns Lot 337 Greencap Remark-A-Bull sold to W & R Murdoch, Murroch Farm, Dumbarton
9500gns Lot 347 Popes Russian sold to Gelston Castle Farms, Borland of Kelton, Castle Douglas
9000gns Lot 301 Overhill House Rudolf sold to G & A Milne, Standingstones, Durris, Banchory
8500gns Lot 303 Coltfield Result sold to Farquharson Farms, Darley, Fyvie, Aberdeenshire
8500gns Lot 344 Kilbride Farm Rancher sold to T R Walker, Ryeflatt Farm, Cleghorn, Lanark
8000gns Lot 302 Corskie Roseisle sold to Scottish Government Bull Stud, Knocknagael, Inverness
8000gns Lot 304 Overhill House Race sold to Glenkiln Farms, Bettyknowes, Crocketford, Dumfries
8000gns Lot 345 Merkland Ringleader sold to John Mitchell & Co, Rumbleton Rig, Greenlaw, Duns
7500gns Lot 280 Corskie Rye sold to Mossburnford Farm P/Ship, Mossburnford, Jedburgh
7500gns Lot 292 Fallhills Rosco sold to Steven Sandison, Millburn Farm, Harray, Orkney
7500gns Lot 333 Omorga Ranger sold to C & J Carmichael, Fiart, Isle of Lismore, Oban
7500gns Lot 348 Strathisla Rookie sold to Steven Sandison, Millburn Farm, Harray, Orkney
Top Female
7500gns Lot 364 Newbiemains Red Rachel sold to Raeside Farm Ltd, Ladeside, Fenwick, Kilmarnock
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 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 | Feb 19, 2025 | 2025 East Anglia News, 2025 Scottish News, 2025 News, 2025 Stirling Sales, 2025
94 SIMMENTAL BULLS SMASH THE BREED RECORD AVERAGE TO SET NEW MARK OF £9,832, UP £2,334 ON THE YEAR
• 56,000gns a new UK, & European record for a Simmental bull
• Commercial producers buying bulls up to £20k
• Four bulls sell at 20,000gns and over
• 26 bulls in all sell for 10,000gns and over
• Strong Clearance rate of 81%
• Simmental sells the most bulls over the Stirling fortnight
Overall & Intermediate Champion Hemingford Prince Charming 56,000gns
Records were well and truly smashed in an incredible day’s trading at the Stirling Simmental bull sale held on at United Auctions on Monday 17th February. Reaching dizzy new heights never seen before, 94 bulls, the most sold of any breed over the Stirling fortnight, surged to a remarkable average of £9832, up by a mighty £2334 on last year’s record figure! At the close of the sale, the average was a new all-breeds record for any beef breed at a UK auction.
Front and centre of the day was the 56,000gns paid for the pre-sale Overall Supreme Champion, Hemingford Prince Charming, from James & Rachel Griffin, Hemingford Abbots, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, and which is a UK and European record for a Simmental sold at auction. The new mark eclipsed the 46,000gns paid for Overhill House Neo in October 2023.
A packed ringside ensured a strong trade from the ‘get go’ and with the sale being underpinned by the demand from commercial producers. Through the sale four bulls made over 20,000gns and with 26 in all surpassing the five figure price. Bulls entirely for commercial use sold up to 20,000gns and with many featuring in the five figure prices.
Commenting after the sale, a delighted BSCS President Chris Martindale said: “It’s been a special sale for the breed and I’d like to congratulate all of the vendors on the standard of the Simmental bulls they continue to bring forward. To have an average of just under £10,000, up by £2334 on the year, and to sell the most bulls of the breeds over the Stirling fortnight, shows a tremendous confidence in the modern Simmental breed. A trend of the day was so many bulls going to commercial producers with one at 20,000gns and any number in the teens and the highest prices. Quality bulls were in demand and easily sold and there were new buyers, repeat buyers, and bulls going to all parts of the UK which was great to see. Commercial producers are future proofing their suckler herds with Simmental genetics and getting the benefits in milk, easy calving, fertility, and ability to rear a quality calf year on year. There’s also recognition of the breeds proven abilities in age at slaughter and daily carcase gain, and adding this all up it’s driving the demand for the breed to new levels with commercial producers. Of course the icing on the cake today has been the new European Simmental record price of 56,000gns for James and Rachel Griffin’s Hemingford Prince Charming. Everybody is just over the moon for James and Rachel, and he really is a super Simmental bull.”
So to the day’s top priced bull and new Simmental record holder, Hemingford Prince Charming 23. April 2023 born, this bull is by Saltire Jaguar 18, a Team Celtic son, and is out of Hemingford Joy, a Sterling Gregg 15 (ET) daughter. In the pre-sale show under the eye of the judge for the day Jim Goldie of the noted Newbiemains herd at Annan, Nr Dumfries, this bull came through a tremendously strong class before going on to secure the Intermediate Championship and thereafter the Overall Supreme Championship. Commenting after the judging, Jim Goldie said: “This is a lovely Simmental bull and with a presence that just caught my eye the moment he came into the ring. Full of style and breed character he typifies the modern Simmental with length, size, tremendous lines, width over the plates, a great top on him, and walked really well. He was a stand-out bull on the day amongst a lot of good company, and it was just terrific to see him go on and make a record price. I’m sure he will go on to produce some top class females in the Corskie herd and leave some amazing bulls as well. It was a great two days for the Simmental breed and I was really pleased to play a little part in it.”
Judge Jim Goldie of the Newbiemains Herd with United Auctions Auctioneer, David Brown
Come sale time there was much anticipation around ringside and Hemingford Prince Charming didn’t disappoint as a flurry of bids and bidders saw him race through the gears before getting knocked down for 56,000gns, a new Simmental record, to the ringside bidders Iain, and daughter Laura, Green for their noted Corskie pedigree herd at Garmouth, Fochabers, Moray. Commenting after paying the record price, Laura Green said: “We saw Hemingford Prince Charming at the inspection on Saturday and liked him straight away, and we obviously kept a close eye on him through the show. He has length, style, breed character and is full of quality, an outstanding bull and in our mind one of the best Simmental bulls we’ve ever seen. We’re really excited to have him and after a nice settling in period he’ll be introduced to the pedigree herd.” The Corskie herd presently comprises of 180 pedigree cows and 400 Simmental x Beef Shorthorn suckler cows.
Come sale time there was much anticipation around ringside and Hemingford Prince Charming didn’t disappoint as a flurry of bids and bidders saw him race through the gears before getting knocked down for 56,000gns, a new Simmental record, to the ringside bidders Iain and daughter Laura Green for their noted Corskie pedigree herd at Garmouth, Fochabers, Moray. Commenting after paying the record price, Laura Green said: “We saw Hemingford Prince Charming at the inspection on Saturday and liked him straight away, and we obviously kept a close eye on him through the show. He has length, style, breed character and is full of quality, an outstanding bull and in our mind one of the best Simmental bulls we’ve ever seen. We’re really excited to have him and after a nice settling in period he’ll be introduced to the pedigree herd.” The Corskie herd presently comprises of 180 pedigree cows and 400 Simmental x Beef Shorthorn suckler cows.
For James and Rachel Griffin, it was two unbelievable days that will live long in the memory. After taking a breath, and the enormity of what had just happened sinking in, James and Rachel spoke to the Society and said: “Going to Stirling, we thought Prince Charming was a good bull but we never set expectations because in the Simmental breed there is always such a high standard of bulls forward. It’s what dreams are made of that you might produce one good enough to win the Championship but it just wasn’t something that we realistically thought we’d achieve in our lifetime.”
Continuing they said: “We watched Jim Goldies pre-sale video leading up to the show, and he mentioned he would be looking for a modern Simmental, with good length and shape, and we hoped he might tick some of those boxes but we never thought more than that. There are three separate things here: winning the Championship, selling for the day’s top price, and for it then to be a UK and European record. To manage all three at the same time is just the stars aligning, and beyond all expectations. Dreams can come true!”
Rachael Griffin, Hetty Hutchinson with Hemingford Prince Charming with James Griffin and their young children
“As the bids were going up I don’t think we were able to breathe! The auctioneer Raymond Kennedy had been round to ask what our expectations might be and I think I said double figures would be a good start, but we truly never expected anything like this. We are also delighted with him being purchased by the Green family with Corskie being such a distinguished Simmental herd with a tremendous reputation. We wish them every success with Prince Charming and will closely follow his progress.” This was the Griffins third visit to Stirling and where they first time round, in 2022, sold a bull for 4200gns to Brian Sutherland, Glenlossie, and with their second visit seeing another Saltire Jaguar son Hemingford Nelson sell for 11,000gns to Michael Durno’s Auchorachan herd in October 2023 for 11,000gns.
It was a sale day with a strong Corskie fingerprint throughout. Offsetting their top price purchase, the herd had brought a stand out team of eleven bulls that saw them procure the three other sale prices over 20,000gns and with the team of eleven bulls averaging a terrific £13,220! The Corskie bulls sold for 26,000gns; 20,000gns x 2; 13,000gns; 9500gns; 9000gns x 2; 8500gns 8000gns x 2; and 7500gns!
Corskie Prime 26,000gns
The junior bulls were tremendously strong through the day, and it was from the second last class in the catalogue that the day’s second top price came from in the shape of the 26,000gns Corskie Prime 23 from the Green family. This October 2023 born calf is by the Irish bull Rathnashan Leonardo (ET), whose first son sold for 10,000gns, and is out of Corskie La-enna from the ‘Enna’ line, one of the herd’s most consistent cow families. Corskie Prime 23 was purchased by Jimmy & Vikki Wood for their noted Popes herd at Dutton, Preston, Lancashire.
Speaking after the sale, Vikki Wood said: “This Corskie bull just had a lot of the things we were looking for. We saw him in the show and immediately liked him. He’s well fleshed, a good mover, the right colour we were looking for, and he’s just full of breed character. His breeding is attractive to us, and with little cross over in his immediate pedigree, he injects a bit of a new line into the herd. We were looking for a bull to use on our heifers, who are big, rangy females and to add easy flesh into them. Initially we’ll put him out quietly with a few heifers and go from there.” Of the 26,000gns price Vikki Wood went on to say: “It’s the investment you need to be prepared to spend for a bull with the traits and qualities you want for your herd. The higher prices are a reflection of where today’s beef market is and if he does the job that his potential suggests, he will hopefully quickly cover himself. ” The Popes herd currently presently consists of 50 pedigree cows.
Reserve Overall & Junior Champion Corskie Pirate 20,000gns
Two further junior bulls from Corksie made 20,000gns and the first of these was the Overall Reserve Supreme, Junior Champion, and first prize in Class 11, Corskie Pirate. September 2023 born, this young bull with style, natural power and terrific width to him, is by Rathnashan Magnum EX 92 and is out of Corskie Hilda VG 87 a daughter of the homebred Corskie Dubai 12. Reflecting the marketplace demand, this bull was purchased entirely for commercial use by the noted producer JC Innes, Dunscroft, Huntly, Aberdeenshire.
Corskie Pier 20,000gns
Also at the 20,000gns price was Corskie Pier, an October 2023 born bull from the youngest class on the day. Full of breeding and performance figures, this calf is by Kilbride Farm Haka 16 who has previously had sons sell to £32,000, and is out of Corskie Jlight a daughter of the former breed record holder Bel Dhu Capercaillie. His performance figures saw him be in the breed’s top 1% for Maternal (Milk) at +16; the top 5% and 10% for 200, 400, and 600 day growth and the top 5% for both Terminal production Index, and Self Replacing Index. Purchasing this bull was Neil McGowan for his Incheoch herd of 50 Simmental cows run alongside 150 Luings. Commenting Neil said: “I watched the bulls go through inspection on Saturday and he was one that stood out as being of the type we were looking for and he moved well. Watching the show the next day along with my father Finlay, he was one of a good number of bulls that impressed us in terms of his type, dimension and stance in the ring. We were particularly looking for a red, polled bull with decent calving figures and good early growth but not too tall in type – with a smooth, easy-finishing muscle-pattern. We were looking for a bull to breed daughters from – so a bit of character and style is important and structural soundness too. Pier ticked all the boxes other than the polled one! In studying him overnight, we saw that his dam line went back to a cow, some seven generations back, my grandfather had sold to Gordon Clark. It wasn’t part of the decision making but somehow seemed to be a bit of a sign! From here, Corskie Pier will get a selection of polled Simmental cows and some Luings next summer and we very much look forward to seeing how he breeds.”
The Stirling Simmental Sale rounded off what has been a fantastic couple of months for the Corskie herd and the Green family and who in December won the prestigious 2024 Scotch Beef Farm of the Year award. Commenting directly about the herd’s day at Stirling, Laura Green said:
“It was a day to remember for all of us at Corskie and a fantastic day for the Simmental breed with a great credit due to all of the vendors. This was our best average we’ve had at Stirling to date with the 11 bulls selling for £13,220. At home we were very pleased with the team of bulls and optimistic that they would meet the buyers’ requirements. Our ongoing aim is to try and breed modern bulls with good length and conformation whilst retaining the excellent maternal traits of the Simmental breed. We wish all of the buyers the very best with their purchases.”
Keeldrum Pablo 16,000gns
Another bull to catch the eye was the upstanding Keeldrum Pablo 23 from David Lowry, Newsteadings Farm, Cartland, Lanark. Another bull with size, length and width, the May 2023 born Pablo had stood third in arguably the strongest class of the day, to the top priced bull. Sired by Denizes Impeccable and out of the Clonagh World Class daughter Sacombe Gabi-Oma, Keeldrum Pablo was another to go for entirely commercial use when purchased for 16,000gns by the Hamilton Brothers, Aikengall Farm, Innerwick, Dunbar. The Hamiltons run some 900 spring calving Simmental cross suckler cows across three holdings and with a battery of 25+ Simmental bulls. The 16,000gns price is the highest they have paid for a Simmental to date and on the day was one of four bulls purchased with them also securing Auchorachan Premier for 11,000gns; Braegarrie Panther for 8500gns; and Auchorachan Pilot for 8000gns.
Auchorachan Premier 11,000gns
Senior Champion Backmuir Poseidon 15,000gns
Bringing another good team of bulls to Stirling was the Backmuir herd of Reece & Andrew Simmers, Backmuir Farm, Keith, who sold six bulls to average £10,238. Leading the way for them was the 15,000gns Backmuir Poseidon who was a first prize winner in Class Four of the senior section. Again, a bull going for commercial use, Poseidon was purchased by noted producers R&N Barclay, Harestone Farm, Insch, Aberdeenshire. April 2023 born, Backmuir Poseidon 23 is by Backmuir King, the Male Champion at the Royal Highland whose sons have sold up to 10,000gns, and is out of the Skerrington Warlord 2 daughter, Starline Kristle 25th.
Backmuir Portsoy 13,000gns
A few lots later, and the winner of Class Six, Backmuir Portsoy 13 made 13,000gns when selling to the Teviot herd of RH Bell & Co, Roxburgh Mill, Kelso. Another son of Backmuir King, this May 2023 born bull is out of Backmuir Olivia Jinx, a Kilbride Farm Duke 12 daughter.
Wolfstar Prototype 14,000gns
Always bringing quality bulls to sell at Stirling, the Wolfstar herd of Alex & Ross King again found reward when selling two bulls to 14,000gns, and with both going commercially. The first of these was Wolfstar Prototype 23 (P) who finished second in the ‘class of the day’ to the sales top priced bull. April 2023 born this bull is by the rising 14-year-old Team Celtic 11, and is out of the Lynde General (P) sired Wolfstar Lady Gaga (P). With a Maternal (Milk) figure of +10, Wolfstar Prototype 23 (P) went north when knocked down to JM Sutherland, Sibminster & Stainland, Thurso, Caithness.
Wolfstar Pocket Rocket 14,000gns
Late in the day, the third last bull through the ring, and the aptly named Wolfstar Pocket Rocket 23 (P), also made 14,000gns when being bought by noted commercial producers MacFarlane Farms Ltd, Quixwood Farm, Duns, Berwickshire. Similarly bred to his stablemate, Wolfstar Pocket Rocket 23 (P) is also by Team Celtic 11, and is out of another Linde General (P) daughter, Wolfstar Little Mix (P).
Springfield Pace 13,500gns
Gavin Brown, Springfield Farm, Penicuik, Midlothian was another breeder to enjoy a successful day when he sold the second prized bull Springfield Pace 23 for 13,500gns. This April 2023 born bull is by the herd’s prolific sire Islavale Jabba and is out of the Popes Barclay daughter Soringfield Highness. Purchasing this bull was Orkney buyer Liam Muir and for his client J&M Dearness, who run a large suckler herd at Knowe Farm, Sanday, Orkney. Of this bull Liam Muir said: “This bull had really good figures for easy calving, and milk, as well as his indexes, and just had the character and qualities we were looking for. He’s a bull for the suckler herd and to breed first quality replacements as well as top stores for the local markets.” For Gavin Brown the 13,5000gns was a top price at sale to date for the herd and with Springfield clearing all eight bulls forward to average a terrific £8203. Orkney buyers were again a theme of the day with nine bulls in all selling to the islands.
Reserve Junior Champion Overhill House Presley 13,000gns
In addition to Backmuir Portsoy, three further bulls sold for 13,000gns. The first of these was the winner of Class 10, and the Reserve Junior Champion, in the shape of Overhill House Presley from Richard McCulloch, Over Hill House, Armadale. A young bull with size and tremendous length, Presley is by Pistyll Kingsman (the sire of the 46,000gns Overhill House Neo), and is out of Overhill House Hellana, a Corbally Extreme daughter. Buying this bull was Strathisla Farms, Moolies, Meigle, Blairgowrie. Speaking of this bull, Adrian Ivory said: “We saw Overhill House Presley during the show and thought he had good growth, length, and was a well put together bull. With good figures we think he’ll complement Denizes Logic daughters, and the plan is to start to use him in the summer.” Strathisla presently has approximately 55 pedigree breeding females, 40 pedigree Charolais, and 140 commercial cows.”
Corskie Phoney 13,000gns
Another junior from the Corskie line up, Corskie Phoney, made 13,000gns when selling commercially to JS Fraser, Tore Mains Farm, Muir of Ord. Again carrying width and natural power, this bull combined a depth of proven breeding and top performance figures. August 2023 born Phoney is by the aforementioned Bel Dhu Capercaillie and is out of Corskie Mimic who was Reserve Breed Champion at the 2023 Royal Highland, and Breed Junior Champion at the 2022 Scottish National Show. His performance figures see him being in the breed’s top 1% for Maternal (Milk) at +15, the top 1% for 200, 400, and 600 day growth, and the top 1% for Terminal Production, and Self Replacing Indexes!
Braidwood Panther 13,500gns
The fourth bull in all hitting the 13,000gns mark was the August 2023 born Braidwood Panther 23 from Louise Moffat, Innerwick Farm, Dunbar, East Lothian. A deep red marked bull, Panther stood third in his class to the Reserve Intermediate Champion. Sired by the 18,000gns Wolfstar Jimmy Choo, and out of the Promi (P) daughter, Braidwood Freckles (P), this bull was again purchased for commercial use when being bought by JB Dobie, Easter Middleton, Gorebridge, Midlothian. For the Dobies this is the first Simmental bull they have purchased and comes after seeing the breed’s performance at commercial sales, and then attending the Scottish Simmental Club Open Day held at Innerwick Farm in June last year where they first saw this calf, and the quality in the herd.
Skerrington Prime 12,000gns
Standing one place behind Braidwood Panther in his class was the August 2023 born Skerrington Prime 23 (P), from the longstanding Skerrington herd of Mr W Young, Skerrington Mains, Hurlford, Kilmarnock and who went on to sell for 12,000gns. Entirely homebred this bull is by the homozygous polled Skerrington King Kong 19 (PP), and is out of Skerrington Faith, a Sowenna Aristocrat daughter. With good figures for calving ease, growth, and maternal (milk), this bull went commercially to W Walton & Sons, Trough End, Otterburn, Newcastle Upon Tyne.
Reserve Senior Champion Kyleston Principal 12,000gns
Standing as the Reserve Senior Champion, and the first prize winner in Class Two, was another bull with size, width, and a good top in the shape of the 12,000gns Kyleston Principal 23 (P) from Mr SB Knox, North Balloch Farm, Alyth, Perth & Kinross. This dark red heterozygous polled calf is the first son at sale by the privately purchased stock bull Kilbride Farm Liberator 20 (P) who is leaving calves ‘with good muscle’ in the herd. Out of Kyleston Hazel, a Keeldrum Eclipse 13 (P) daughter, this bull was purchased by commercial producers Kincraigie Farms, Lumphanan, by Banchory. For the 30 breeding female Kyleston herd, the sale price and the Reserve Championship were both top accolades for the Knox’s at sale to date.
Rockytop Pirelli 12,000gns
At this same 12,000gns price was Rockytop Pirelli from the 60 cow pedigree herd of Gary & Angela Christie, Midtown of Glass, Huntly. A bull with length and conformation Pirelli stood fourth in the ‘class of the day’ to the top priced bull. May 2023 born, Rockytop Pirelli is by Kilbride Farm Fearless 14, described as ‘one of the bulls purchased who has greatly improved the herd’, and is out of Rockytop Margaret’s June. With a Maternal (Milk) figure of +10, this bull went to the noted commercial producers CG McGillvray, Auchnascraw, Ballindalloch. A few lots later and the Christies sold Rockytop Puff 23 for 9500gns to OJ & JM Barker, Easter Yardhouses, Carnwath, Lanark.
Auchorachan Premier 11,000gns
Selling at 11,000gns was the aforementioned Auchorachan Premier from D&R Durno & Sons, Auchorachan, Glenlivet, Ballindalloch which was knocked down to Aikengall Farms, East Lothian. Entirely homebred this August 2023 calf is by Auchorachan Malt and is out of the Team Fergus 14 EX 91 daughter, Auchorachan Nanny 4 EX 92. Premier carried top 5% of the breed figures for 200, 400, and 600 day growth. Another herd to enjoy a top day’s trading, Auchorachan also sold the Reserve Intermediate Champion, and winner of Class 9, for 10,500gns to the judge Jim Goldie, Newbiemains Farm, Annan, Dumfries. Another by Auchorachan Malt, and again with good growth figures, this bull is out of Auchorachan Nanny 1H EX 93 described as a ‘tremendous cow’ in the herd. Other Auchorachan bulls sold for 9000gns and 8000gns.
Delfur President 11,000gns
The April 2023 senior bull Delfur President 23 from Delfur Farms, Rothes, Aberlour, made 11,000gns when selling to J Walker & Sons, Sauchenbush, Echt. A bull with good calving ease direct figures, President 23 is by Curaheen Bandit 23 and is out of the Islavale Cassius 11 daughter Delfur Heidi. A few lots later and Delfur were back in the money when selling Delfur Phantom 23 for 10,000gns. Sired by Innerwick Ivor 17, and out of Delfur Hetty, this bull had stood Reserve Champion at the 2024 Simmental Youngstock Show held at Borderway Mart, Carlisle. Purchasing this bull was Dennis Isbister, who runs the Isbister pedigree herd at Old Hall, Stromness, Orkney.
Westridge Pebble 11,000gns
A further bull to feature in the ‘class of the day’ was the fifth placed Westridge Pebble 23 from Ward Farms (Scotland), West Mains Farm, Carnwath, Lanark and who went on to make 11,000gns when selling to commercial producer Stephen Allardyce East Town Farm, Tarland, Aboyne. May 2023 born this bull is by Ranfurly Confederate C24 11 EX 94, and is out of Islavale Iona. Other Westridge bulls on the day made 7500gns, and 7000gns.
Islavale Panama 11,000gns
The prolific Islavale herd of WS Stronach & Son Berryleys farm, Grange, Keith, brought a ‘young team to town’ and met with another terrific trade. Nine bulls in all sold for £81,900 to average a tremendous £9100. Leading the way in their pen was the October 2023 born Islavale Panama who made 11,000gns when selling commercially to Glenrinnes Farms Ltd, Dufftown, Banffshire. Other Islavale bulls sold for 9500gns; 9000gns x2; 8500gns x3; 8000gns; and 6000gns.
*At the close of the bull sale and a draft offering from J&G Houliston, Newmains, Drem, North Berwick, four Saltire heifers made 4000gns; 3800gns; 2600gns; and 2500gns. Saltire Pinky, a Saltire Munro daughter out of Saltire Murron led the way when selling for 4000gns to G Wealleans & Son, Greenlaw, Duns, Berwickshire who bought three lots in all.
Overall Championship lineup
Senior Championship lineup
Intermediate Championship line up
Junior Championship line up
Group of three
OTHER LEADING BULL PRICES
10,500gns Lot 451 Auchorachan Picasso sold to JM & J Goldie, Newbie Mains Farm, Annan, Dumfriesshire
10,500gns Lot 427 Braegarrie Panda sold to Fleming Farming, Greenlees Farm, Kelso
10,000gns Lot 455 Kersknowe Popstar sold to Ettrickshaws Farming Partnership, Ettrickshaw, Selkirk
10,000gns Lot 354 Caithness Pioneer sold to T Smith & Son, Nether Edindurno, Whitehouse, Alford
10,000gns Lot 384 Delfur Phantom sold to D Isbister, Oldhall, Stromness, Orkney
10,000gns Lot 388 Greencap Pegasus sold to J & MH Brims, Thuster Mains, Bilbister, Wick
9500gns Lot 470 Corskie Patron sold to Genoch Mains Farm, Dunragit, Stranraer
9500gns Lot 465 Islavale Peperoni sold to James Pate & Sons, Mossielee, Galasheils, Selkirk
9500gns Lot 437 Springfield Pentagon sold to JW Fullerton & Sons, Corsbie, Earlston, Berwickshire
9500gns Lot 413 Rockytop Puff sold to OJ & JM Barker, Easter Yardshouses, Auchengray, Carnwath, Lanark
9000gns Lot 431 Kilbride Farm Pele sold to Ralia Enterprises, Ralia Lodge, Newtonmore, Invernessshire
9000gns Lot 458 Corskie Pepsi sold to Richard Elliott, Lordsview, High Moor Farm, Tadcaster
9000gns Lot 462 Auchorachan Phantom sold to John Mitchell, Rumbletonrig, Greenlaw, Duns, Berwickshire
9000gns Lot 466 Islavale Pistol sold to Craighill Farms, Duntrune, By Dundee
9000gns Lot 491 Islavale Premium sold to J Graham & Son, West Balgothrie Farm, Leslie, Glenrothes
9000gns Lot 493 Corskie Prisoner sold to T Hill & R Wright, 1 Mill Farm, Wadworth, Doncaster
9000gns Lot 358 Backmuir Peru sold to C & K Stuart, Lettoch & Belnoe, Braes of Glenlivet, Ballindalloch
9000gns Lot 397 Wolfstar Pele sold to JF & C Saunders, Maidenlands Tarn, Tarn Flatt, Marton, Ulverston
9000gns Lot 385 Strathisla Panama sold to JW Sutherland & Son, Granton Mains, Bower, By Wick
8500gns Lot 391 Hiltonstown Powerhouse sold to W Walton & Sons, Trough End, Otterburn, Newcastle upon Tyne
8500gns Lot 393 Drumsleed Pacha sold to J & A McCornick, Drumjargon Farm, Whauphill, Newton Stewart
8500gns Lot 421 Drumsleed Panther sold to J Cameron & Son, Balbuthie Farm, Kilconquhar, Leven
8500gns Lot 425 Braegarrie Panther sold to JG Hamilton, Aikengall Farm, Innerwick, Dunbar
8500gns Lot 430 Denizes Powerboy sold to J Campbell, Bardnaclavan, Westfield, Thurso
8500gns Lot 467 Corskie Plasma sold to JEM Vesty, Ormiston Farm, Hawick, Roxburghshire
8500gns Lot 492 Islavale Prophet sold to Messrs Atkin Brothers, The Grange, Barrow on Trent, Derby
8500gns Lot 495 Islavale Pringle sold to TE & EM Davies & Sons, Tyncwm, Capel Dewi, Aberystwyth
8500gns Lot 367 Backmuir Pedro sold to Scottish Government Stud, Knocknagael, Inverness
8500gns Lot 498 Islavale Porthos sold to B Ross, Torran Farm, Delny, Invergordon
8000gns Lot 436 Denizes Passito sold to A & L Craig & Co, Downiehills Farm, Blackhills, Peterhead
8000gns Lot 443 Auchorachan Pilot sold to JG Hamilton, Aikengall Farm, Innerwick, Dunbar
8000gns Lot 461 Islavale Peri sold to Bannerman Co Ltd, Balintraid & Ord Farm, Delny, Invergordon
8000gns Lot 481 Denizes Phantom sold to Ellis & Keir, Cairncoullie, Glenkindie, Aberdeenshire
8000gns Lot 487 Denizes Paparazzi sold to AR Bulmer, Coultas Farm, Great Habton, Malton, Yorkshire
8000gns Lot 362 Corskie Pickle sold to J & MH Brims, Thurster Mains, Bilbster, Wick, Caithness
8000gns Lot 371 Kyleston Patch sold to Firm of AG Spence, Balglassie Farm, Aberlemno, Forfar
8000gns Lot 376 Corskie Prize sold to WSL Muir, Upper Onston, Stenness, Stromness, Orkney
8000gns Lot 377 Strathisla Prince sold to Scottish Government Stud, Knocknagael, Inverness
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