by Nicky Moreton | Oct 28, 2026 | 2026, 2026 Northern Ireland News, 2026 News
The Northern Ireland Simmental Club has raised a fantastic £10,000 for charity following a hugely successful fundraising BBQ at Dungannon Rugby Club in September, with an entertaining and highly successful auction proving the highlight of the evening.
Around 150 people attended the event, enjoying a great social evening, and showing tremendous generosity in support of two particularly worthy causes: Air Ambulance Northern Ireland and the cancer charity, Friends of ANCHOR.
All of the £10,000 raised came through the auction on the evening, which was conducted by well-known Dungannon auctioneer Trevor Whylie. A fantastic and eclectic selection of lots kept the bidding lively, and reflected the generosity and enthusiasm of everyone there.
The varied lots included semen from some noted Simmental bulls, special reserve bottles of whisky, a trip around a distillery, branded Simmental merchandise, food hampers, show halters, and vouchers generously donated by farm shops and feed companies.
Picking out one noted auction item, two straws of semen from the bull Kilbride Farm Jetstream, put forward by WH Robson & Sons of Ballyclare, achieved a combined price of £1100!
The auction, together with the excellent turnout, helped create a special atmosphere throughout the evening, bringing together members of the NI Simmental Club, families, friends, and supporters for a very worthy purpose. The money raised is being split between two very worthy organisations whose work makes a huge difference to people’s lives:
Representative of Air Ambulance Northern Ireland receiving a £5000 cheque from members of the NI Simmental Club Committee
Air Ambulance Northern Ireland provides a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. Its specialist team delivers urgent pre-hospital medical care to people who are critically ill or seriously injured, bringing life-saving treatment to patients when every second counts.
Receiving the £5000 cheque for the Friends of ANCHOR is Reece Simmers of the noted Backmuir Simmental herd at Keith, Banffshire, North East Scotland, and who was the pre-sale judge at Swatragh
Friends of ANCHOR supports patients and families affected by cancer and haematological conditions across the north-east of Scotland. The charity helps fund specialist facilities, equipment, research and patient support services, making a meaningful difference to people facing a cancer diagnosis and their loved ones.
Commenting on the evening and the monies raised, Shane McDonald, the NI Club Chair said:
“The NI Simmental Club would like to extend a massive thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of this fundraising evening. I’d personally like to extend sincere thanks to all those people and companies who so willingly donated lots, to the many bidders on the evening and those who were successful, to everyone who attended and made this such a special evening, and to Trevor Whylie for conducting the auction so well. Fundraising for worthy charities has long been an important part of the NI Simmental Cub’s activities, and we have again been blown away this year by everyone’s generosity and willingness to help, support, and enable us to raise this tremendous total.”
With this year’s BBQ successfully concluded, the Club is already planning ahead to next year’s event, with further fundraising ideas being discussed.
by Nicky Moreton | Oct 27, 2026 | 2026, 2026 Northern Ireland News, 2026 News, 2026 Other Sales
Further Haystar heifers make 9200gns, 7000gns, and 6400gns
9200gns is a Simmental centre record at Swatragh
Corrick Senator makes 6000gns
A stylish line up of maiden heifers from the Haystar herd of Gavin & Kyle Hayes, Upper Ballinderry, Lisburn, Co Antrim, sold for the leading prices of 9200gns. 7000gns, and 6400gns to light up the Northern Ireland Simmental Club’s 55th Year Anniversary Elite Sale, held at Swatragh Livestock Market on Friday 23rd October. All three of these heifers had placed first in their respective classes in the pre-sale show judged by Reece Simmers of the noted Backmuir pedigree herd, Keith, Banffshire.
Haystar Beauty 6 9200gns
Topping the sale was the 9200gns paid for Haystar Beauty 6. This ET calf, born June 2025, is full of breeding being sired by Raceview Mattie J Beauty M, and being out of Raceview Lady W Nicolette, from the Raceview Beauty dam line. Beauty is also a maternal brother to Haystar Romeo, a former NI Male of the Year, and who went on to sell for 10,000gns at a Jalex sale. Purchasing the top price was Stephen MacAuley for his Hillfield pedigree herd at Crumlin, Co Antrim.
Of buying the top price Stephen MacAuley said: “I’m really delighted to have been able to buy this heifer. She has fantastic bloodlines and the cornerstone genetics I was looking for and which I can build the Hillfield herd round. We will flush her in due course and her purchase is in keeping with my general aim of quality over quantity! A terrific all-round heifer she has a super temperament which is important to us, and Simmental as a breed with its calving ease, and top maternal traits is just so easy to work with.”
Haystar Dora 3 7000gns
The youngest animal in the catalogue, Haystar Dora 3 made 7000gns when selling to Simmental breeder, Danniel Harrison, Annalong, Co Down. Described as a ‘fancy, showy heifer’, this December 2025 born calf carried a real depth of pedigree being sired by Lissadell Nailer, a former Irish National Male Champion, and being out of Clonagh Moonlight Dora, a full sister to the €52,000 Clonagh Lucky Explorer owned by the Popes Herd, Lancashire. Her grand dam Clonagh Dora The Explorer was twice former Overall Champion at Tullamore Show.
Haystar Divina 5 6400gns
Another Lissadell Nailer daughter, Haystar Divina 5 sold for 6400gns. In the pre-sale show, this December 2024 had been placed Overall Supreme Female Champion by the judge Reece Simmers. Again with plenty of breeding behind her, this heifer is out of Haystar Divina 2, with dam line going back to Sterling Adels Naomi, and with females from the line selling to 28,000gns. Haystar Divina 5 was a second purchase for the aforementioned Daniel Harrison. Commenting on his Champion and the Haystar heifers, Reece Simmers said: “My choice of Champion was just a lovely heifer with power, plenty of length, and full of breed character. The three Haystar animals were a super line-up of Simmental heifers. Full of quality and style, they just had that something extra that you’d expect at an Elite Sale.”
It was a terrific sale for the Haystar herd and speaking afterwards Kyle Hayes said: “We’re really delighted to see these heifers sell so well. With it being an Elite Sale marking the 55th anniversary of the NI Club, we were keen to support it with something a wee bit special, and we hope we have done that. The top priced heifer was quite a modest calf when she was born but she really got going and developed into what we think is now a standout heifer. As a herd and with everything on we don’t have the time to show but we think these heifers would very much fit for the show ring.”
Of the Haystar herd’s general breeding philosophy and outlook Kyle Hayes went on to say: “In type we’re looking to breed females with a moderate frame, length, and full of style and breed character. We’ll look to stick with five or six top cow lines and within that to concentrate on some embryo work. An aim is to breed these type of high end heifers and we hope to grow a market within which we could sell three or four of them per year.”
Corrick Senator 4900gns
In the small show of bulls forward, Corrick Senator 25 from Cecil and Scott McIlwaine led the trade when selling Corrick Senator for 6000gns. Got by AI, this May 2025 born bull is Curaheen Drifter and is out of Skerrington Rhona 41st, a Sowenna Aristocrat daughter. Corrick Senator 25 was knocked down to S McLaughlin, Dungiven.
From a draft of five heifers put forward by the Omorga herd of John Moore, Beragh, Omagh, Co Tyrone the June 2025 born Omorga Shona made 5100gns when being bought by Roger Henderson, Drumsamney, Desrtmartin, Magharefelt, By the AI sire Clonagh Tiger Gallant, this heifer’s calf is out of Omorga Natash from the herd’s noted Daffodil line. The first Omorga animal offered was the February 2025 born Omorga Sonia 25. This heifer by the 20,000gns Denizes Monty, and out of Omorga Joy, a Dermotstown Delboy (ET) EX 92 dughter was bought by David McElmurray, Pomeroy, Co Tyrone.
Another heifer bringing a lot of good bloodlines to the sale was Ranfurly Stella 19th S9 (P) from David & Jonny Hazleton, Cohannon House, Dungannon, Co Tyrone. This Auroch Deuter sired heterozygous polled heifer is out of Ranfurly Stella 12th L18 VG 85, the Reserve Supreme Champion at RUAS Balmoral in 2022, and whose dam Raceview Fancywinty 652 EX 93 is described as ‘one of the best cows we had in our herd.’ With excellent performance figures of calving ease and maternal (milk), Ranfurly Stella 19th S9 (P). Buying this heifer at 4900gns was Patrick Fitzsimmons, Strangford.
Taking the Reserve Female Championship in the pre-sale show was from Drumagarner Scarlett (P) from Messrs M & E McCloskey, 98 Drumagarner Road, Kilrea, Coleraine.
February 2025 born, this heterozygous polled maiden heifer , got by AI, s sired by Curaheen Gunshot (P), and is out of Drumagarner Nikki, a Curaheen Drifter daughter. Come sale time, Drumagarner Scarlett (P) made 4600gns when selling to Kelly Bros, Ballycastle.
AVERAGES:
15 maiden heifers £4858
4 bulls £44331.25
by Iain | Oct 5, 2026 | 2026, 2026 Midlands News, 2026 Northern Ireland News, 2026 News
MULLYKNOCK SCORPIO SELLS TO ATLOW SIMMENTALS IN ‘SUBSTANTIAL FIVE FIGURE’ DEAL!
The much admired 16-month-old Pedigree Simmental bull, Mullyknock Scorpio, winner of numerous show ring accolades in Northern Ireland, has been sold in a substantial five figure private deal to the Atlow pedigree Simmental herd of David and Susan Donnelly, Derbyshire.
As a 12-week-old calf Scorpio lifted the Edward Orr Memorial Perpetual Cup at the NI Simmental Cattle Breeders Club National Show 2025 held within the Clogher Valley Show for best bull calf born in the year of the show. He continued his successful show ring presence when he won overall Junior Continental Champion at the Fermanagh Pedigree Livestock Breeders Group Elite Calf Show held in the Exhibition Hall at the Ulster Farmers Mart, Enniskillen, November 2025, when described by judge Victor Chestnutt, “as the standout star of the show, full of correctness, quality and style”.
Mullyknock Scorpio
In 2026, he was placed overall breed Male Champion by judge John Barlow at the RUAS Balmoral Show in May, before going on to complete his Northern Ireland show career by lifting the N.I. Simmental Cattle Breeders Club “Male of the Year” title for 2026.
Described by his breeder, Robert Forde, of the Mullyknock herd as “a special calf from birth and one of the best the five-cow herd has produced”, Scorpio boasts a healthy 2kgs+ DLWG from birth, coupled with a +5.4 calving ease figure.
The May 2025 born Mullyknock Scorpio, a heifer’s calf is bred from the AI sire Clonagh Tiger Gallant. His dam is Raceview Prety Lady Gretta, the top priced heifer when purchased from the 2023 Raceview female draft held in Roscommon.
Commenting on the sale, Robert Forde said: “I am delighted to see Scorpio going to such a renowned prizewinning herd and would like to wish David and Susan and everyone at the Atlow Herd the very best of luck with him.”
A delighted purchaser David Donnelly picks up the story of first seeing, and ultimately buying, Mullyknock Scorpio, and outlines the initial plans for him going forward:
“Mullyknock Scorpio is a bull we’d watched and seen a lot of over the show season through pictures and results. So Susan and I decided to go and have a look for ourselves at the NI Simmental National Show held at Clogher Valley Show. We weren’t disappointed but kept our interest quiet! A week of consideration and discussion followed before agreement was reached and a deal was done.”
“Scorpio is in the Simmental breed’s top 5% for Calving Ease, and Eye Muscle Score, carries no myostatin, and is by a bull that has sired over 300 pedigree animals and whose semen is now commercially unavailable. Once Scorpio has settled in we hope to use him here on the remaining Atlow animals, and including the two much admired Valentine line heifers who were out at shows earlier this year. He will also be used across the ever-growing herd belonging to Robert Heaps (Redrose Simmentals), who is Susan’s son, in Chorley, Lancashire. We think Mullyknock Scorpio is a super bull, and we’re really excited about him joining the Atlow herd.”
So another quality Simmental bull being traded and it’s a big well done and congratulations to both the buyers and the sellers.
by Nicky Moreton | Jul 31, 2026 | 2026, 2026 National Shows, 2026 Northern Ireland News, 2026 News
Ranfurly Lady Diana 41st wins Overall Supreme
Ballinalare Farm Ritz places Reserve Overall Female
Hiltonstown Serenity wins Junior Championship
Corrick Spartan crowned Male Champion
The classy rising five-year-old cow, Ranfurly Lady Diana 41st M14 VG from David & Jonny Hazelton, Cohannon House, Dungannon, swept all before her to win the 2026 Northern Ireland Simmental National Show, held within Clogher Valley Show, on Wednesday 29th July. Judging what was a high-quality show of 40 Simmentals was BSCS President Chris Martindale, who runs the noted Forsdale herd at Coedfa, St Martins, Oswestry.
Overall Champion & Female Ranfurly Lady Diana 41st
Ranfurly Lady Diana 41st is by the noted AI sire Auchorachan Hercules 16 (ET) EX 92, who himself was bred from a Ranfurly embryo, and is out of Ranfurly Lady Diana 33rd J5 18 EX 92, a Raceview King daughter, and whose pedigree goes back to the renowned Salisbury Guinevere, the foundation female of that line. Lady Diana was shown with her November 2025 born bull calf at foot, Ranfurly Standout S10 25, a Curaheen Bandit son.
Commenting, the judge Chris Martindale said: “Firstly it was a great honour to be invited to judge the NI Simmental National, and what a great show of top-quality cattle were on parade, good enough to grace any show in the UK. My champion came from the very first class of the day. She entered the ring with great presence and stood out as a great example of the breed Full of breed character, she was level over the top and with tremendous width over the plates. Lady Diana walked easily and was shown with a great bull calf. What an outfit and a very worthy champion.” Come Individual Interbreed time and Ranfurly Lady Diana 41st took the Second Reserve Overall in front of Karl Connell, Carrickmore.
NI National Show judge Chris Martindale casting his eye.
For the Ranfurly herd, prolific over the years at both shows and sales, it was a second Overall Supreme having won the 2019 NI National Show and having placed Reserve in 2024. No stranger to the show ring herself, back in 2023 as a young heifer, Ranfurly Lady Diana 41st was the Reserve Overall Supreme at the RUAS Balmoral Show and has previously been a first prize winner at both the 2022, and 2024 NI National Shows. This year her only other outing was at Antrim Show where she won the Simmental Championship and where she was Reserve Interbreed Beef Cow.
Speaking afterwards a delighted Jonny Hazelton said: “This is the biggest show of Simmentals in the year in Northern Ireland, and it really is a great honour to win such a prestigious show and within such a strong line up from our fellow exhibitors. This is her last show of the year and very much a high point to finish on. Her calf will be weaned off soon and then Lady Diana 41st will be enjoying a well-deserved rest”!
It was an all-round top day for the Hazeltons who in addition to their Overall Supreme title also won the Simmental Pairs with Ranfurly Weikel 56th, and Ranfurly Jade 2nd. Unbeaten in Simmental Pairs this year, this dynamic duo also won the Beef Interbreed Pairs at RUAS Balmoral this year. Lady Diana 41st then joined the pair to secure a win in the Group of Three. Rounding off the day, Jonny and Julie Hazelton’s young daughter Lucy Hazelton (10) also took first prize in the young handlers aged 8 to 12 years old on show day. Top work Lucy and the whole ‘Team Ranfurly’, what a day, and what a week! These wins came hard on the heels of Ranfurly Weikel 55th taking the Simmental Overall Reserve Supreme at the Royal Welsh Show.
Reserve Female Champion Ballinalare Farm Ritz
With a mighty track record at recent NI National Shows, and RUAS Balmoral Shows, Joe & Alan Wilson, Newry, Co Down were again ‘putting on the Ritz’ when winning the Reserve Overall Supreme and Reserve Female Championship with their May 2024 born heifer Ballinalare Farm Ritz. Shown in-calf to Camus Brandy, Ballinalare Farm Ritz is by Bighill Magic, and is out of the Denizes Fantastic sired Ballinalare Farm Ladybird. Of Ballinalare Farm Ritz, who was also a class winner at last year’s NI National Show, the judge Chris Martindale said: “My Reserve Champion was just another super heifer. Full of flesh she again had a great top and plates and really showed herself off. Both the Champion and Reserve were terrific animals and led what was a fantastic show of Simmental females.”
Ballinalare Farm Tikita
The all-conquering Ballinalare Farm Nikita has made quite the impression in recent years and whilst not shown at Clogher, her April 2026 born calf Ballinalare Farm Tikita was and picked up a first in the baby heifer class. Sired by Raceview King, Chris Martindale commented: “This is a lovely baby heifer and I am very sure she has a great future ahead of her.”
Junior Champion Hiltonstown Serenity
Continuing the theme of ‘super Simmental females’, the Overall Junior Champion came in the shape of Hiltonstown Serenity from Richard & Rhys Rodgers, Portglenone, Co Antrim. Entirely homebred and got by AI, the July 2025 born Serenity is by the 20,000gns Hiltonstown Matrix, and is out of Hiltonstown Jet EX 92, a Cairnview Snazzy daughter. Of his Junior Champion the judge said: “What a flashy young heifer this is. She is so sweet and has so much potential to make a top-quality cow in the future. Keep an eye out for her next year.” Also speaking after the show, Richard Rodgers said: “Serenity was shown last weekend at Antrim Show and where she won her class. We are really delighted for her to now come and win the Junior Championship at our National Show. Her mother who is classified EX 92 has now bred five daughters of a type! Serenity is what I’d call a very typical Hiltonstown heifer who we’ll breed from and with a view to keep moving the quality of the herd forward”.
Male Champion & Reserve Junior Champion Corrick Spartan
Moving into the bulls and winning the Overall Male Championship, and Overall Reserve Junior was Corrick Spartan from Cecil & Scott McIlwaine, Newtonstewart, Co Tyrone. April 2025 born, Spartan is by the well-known Saltire Impressive and is out of a polled bred cow Corrick Joan (P), a Curaheen Gunshot (P) daughter. The Corrick herd typically show at Clogher and Omagh as part of bringing through bulls for sale and have been good supporters of previous National Shows. Bulls show at previous Nationals have gone on top sales at both Swatragh and Dungannon with Corrick Patriot setting what was then a record price of 7200gns at Dungannon. Corrick Spartan had previously been shown this year at Omagh and where he stood first in his class. Of hi Male Champion the judge said: “Corrick Spartan is a very long, clean bull and again, well fleshed throughout. He paraded on a great set of legs and feet and was an easy winner. A bull with lots of potential, he’s one to look out for in February at Stirling.” Confirming that Corrick Spartan will be aimed at Stirling, Neil McIlwaine went on to say: “With a strong showing of young bulls at Clogher on the day, and at various ‘stages’ of their maturity, it was great to be awarded the Male Championship and we’re extremely pleased. We think Spartan has key modern day Simmental traits with exceptional width through his top, length and correctness, coupled with a very docile temperament.”
DANI Rosebowl winner Corrick Showman
Making it a ‘nifty double’ the May 2025 born Corrick Showman won the Dani Rose Bowl Bull Performance title awarded through a selection of EBV indexes and visual characteristics. Previously shown at Omagh where he was breed Male Champion, Showman went on to take the County Tyrone Interbreed Homebred Championship at just 13 months of age. Out of Corrick Molly (TF), who is full of home bred breeding, this Coose Lincoln sired bull is in the top 5% for Terminal production indices plus, 200 and 400 day weights. Showman will also be destined for the February Spring Sales in 2027.
Reserve Male Champion Omorga Shogun
Taking the Overall Reserve Male Championship, and winner of his junior bull class, was HJW & JC Moore, Beragh, Omagh, Co Tyrone. September 2025 born, Omorga Shogun is by the herd’s 20,000gns stock bull Denizes Monty, and is out of Crossane Perfect One, described as ‘a very nice type of Kilbride Farm Bantry cow with a lovely temperament”. Perfect One’s dam was the well-known Irish Show winning heifer Lissadell Just the One. Commenting on Omorga Shogun, who was being shown for the first time, the judge said: “My Reserve Male, Omorga Shogun, is a very modern young Simmental who should go on to be an impressive bull in the coming months”. Standing third in the same class was Omoraga Saracen, another Denizes Monty son and a full brother to Omorga Rocky sold at Stirling in February this year for 13,000gns. Of these two bulls going forward John Moore said: “From here, and all being well that these bulls keep going on and developing, we’ll be aiming them for sale ‘across the water’ in due course.”
By comment consent it was a terrific show of Simmentals and with Chris Martindale rounding off by saying: “Well done again to all of the exhibitors. I had a hugely enjoyable day judging some high-quality Simmental cattle. With the quality of stock that was put before me today I can very much say that the Simmental breed is in safe hands in Northern Ireland.”
With the prizes well spread round here are the herds that featured as first prize winners and in the special awards:
Ballinalare; Ballydavey; Bridgewater; Carrowcladagh; Coolcran; Corrick; Hiltonstown; Omorga; and Ranfurly
Well done to all of the Northern Ireland breeders, sponsors, and NI Simmental Breeders Club, for putting on a fantastic 2026 NI Simmental National Show at Clogher Valley, and please see the full results here:
Overall Champion, & Female Champions
Junior Female Champions
Female Champions
Male & Junior Male Champions
Junior Champions
Pairs – Ranfurly
Team of 3 – Ranfurly
Well done to all of the Northern Ireland breeders, sponsors, and NI Simmental Breeders Club, for putting on a fantastic 2026 NI Simmental National Show at Clogher Valley, and please see the full results here:
2026 NI SIMMENTAL NATIONAL SHOW RESULTS
Clogher Valley Show
Judge: Chris Martindale
CLASS 144: PEDIGREE SIMMENTAL COW OR HEIFER IN MILK OR IN CALF SPONSORED BY THREE VALLEYS
1st Ranfurly Lady Diana 41st
CLASS 145: PEDIGREE SIMMENTAL SENIOR HEIFER BORN BETWEEN 01/01/24 & 30/06/24 SPONSORED BY CAMPBELL CONTRACTS
1st Ballinalare Farm Ritz
2nd Ranfurly Weikel 56th
3rd Mullyknock Ruth
CLASS 146: PEDIGREE SIMMENTAL INTERMEDIATE HEIFER BORN BETWEEN 01/07/24 & 31/12/24 SPONSORED BY FARM VET SERVICES
1st Ranfurly Jade 2nd
2nd Broomfield Super Little D
Ranfurly Jade 2nd
CLASS 147: PEDIGREE SIMMENTAL JUNIOR HEIFER BORN BETWEEN 01/01/25 & 30/04/25 SPONSORED BY SKIP SERVICES ENNISKILLEN
1st Rathnashan There She Goes
2nd Lisglass Sapphire
3rd Lisglass Silverbell
4th Ballyrory Skye
CLASS 148: PEDIGREE SIMMENTAL JUNIOR HEIFER BORN BETWEEN 01/05/25 & 31/08/25 SPONSORED BY CARLAND MILL
1st Hiltonstown Serenity
2nd Mullyknock Sunshine
CLASS 149: PEDIGREE SIMMENTAL JUNIOR HEIFER BORN BETWEEN 01/09/25 & 31/12/25 SPONSORED BY COUNTRYSIDE SERVICES
1st Carrowcladagh Stella
2nd Gillview Sally Charlotte
3rd Gillview Susie
Carrowcladagh Stella
CLASS 150: PEDIGREE SIMMENTAL HEIFER CALF BORN IN 2026 SPONSORED BY MILLBURN CONCRETE
1st Ballinalare Farm Tikita
2nd Ballinalare Farm Tequila
3rd Coolcran Heidi’s Tigerlilly
4th Derrycallaghan Topgirl
5th Mullyknock Twinkle
CLASS 152: CHAMPION FEMALE SIMMENTAL
Champion – Ranfurly Lady Diana 41st
Reserve Female Champion – Ballinalare Farm Ritz
CLASS 154: PEDIGREE SIMMENTAL JUNIOR BULL BORN BETWEEN 01/01/25 AND 30/04/25 SPONSORED BY M KEYS TRANSPORT
1st Corrick Spartan
2nd Ballyrory Simba
CLASS 155: PEDIGREE SIMMENTAL JUNIOR BULL BORN BETWEEN 01/05/25 AND 31/08/25 SPONSORED BY IRWIN FEEDS
1st Bridgewater Farm Superstar
2nd Mullyknock Scorpio
3rd Hiltonstown Sirocco
4th Corrick Showman
5th Drumsamney Sylvester
6th Drumsamney Samuel
Bridgewater Farm Superstar
CLASS 156: PEDIGREE SIMMENTAL JUNIOR BULL BORN BETWEEN 01/09/25 AND 31/12/25 SPONSORED BY YARA
1st Omorga Shogun
2nd Ranfurly Standout
3rd Omorga Saracen
4th Lisglass Showman
5th Bridgewater Farm Starsky
CLASS 157: PEDIGREE SIMMENTAL BULL CALF BORN IN 2026 SPONSORED BY EXCEL GENETICS
1st Coolcran Titan
2nd Derrycallaghan Tyson
Coolcran Titan
CLASS 158: PEDIGREE SIMMENTAL DANI ROSEBOWL BULL PERFORMANCE AWARD SPONSORED BY FRC RECRUITMENT & CONSULTANCY
1st Corrick Showman
2nd Hiltonstown Sirocco
3rd Ranfurly Standout
CLASS 159: CHAMPION MALE SIMMENTAL SPONSORED BY AHV
Male Champion – Corrick Spartan
Reserve Male Champion – Omorga Shogun
CLASS 160: JUNIOR CHAMPION SIMMENTAL SPONSORED BY UNITED FEEDS
Junior Champion – Hiltonstown Serenity
Reserve Junior Champion – Corrick Spartan
CLASS 161: OVERALL SIMMENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Ranfurly Lady Diana 41st
CLASS 162: PEDIGREE SIMMENTAL PAIRS, PROPERTY OF EXHIBITOR SPONSORED BY T MET
1st Ranfurly
2nd Corrick
3rd Hiltonstown
CLASS 163: PEDIGREE SIMMENTAL GROUP OF 3 SPONSORED BY GEORGE HAMILTON MACHINERY
1st Ranfurly
2nd Lisglass
3rd Ballinalare Farm
CLASS 164: YOUNG HANDLERS AGED 8 TO 12 YEARS OLD ON SHOW DAY SPONSORED BY PROVITA
1st Lucy Hazelton
Winning young handler Lucy Hazelton (10)
CLASS 165: YOUNG HANDLERS AGED 13 TO 18 YEARS OLD ON SHOW DAY SPONSORED BY BOYD FEEDS
1st Lexi Heatrick
2nd Rhys Rodgers
3rd Timothy Hamilton
Lexi Heatrick, winner of the Young Handler class aged 13 to 18 years.
by Nicky Moreton | May 14, 2026 | 2026, 2026 Northern Ireland News, 2026 News, 2026 Balmoral Show
Ballinalare Farm Nikita Wins Overall Simmental Supreme for fourth consecutive year
Lisglass Sapphire takes Overall Reserve Supreme & Junior Champion
Mullyknock Scorpio is crowned Male Champion
Ranfurly Win Interbreed Beef Exhibitor Bred Pairs title.
Supreme Champion Ballinalare Farm Nikita
Rewriting the Simmental record books was the amazing Ballinalare Farm Nikita from Joe & Alan Wilson, Newry, who with her cracking heifer calf at foot, won a record breaking fourth Royal Ulster Balmoral Show Simmental Overall Supreme Championship, on the first day of this early summer ‘major’ at Balmoral Park, Lisburn, Co Antrim in May. Judging the Simmental classes and Championships was John Barlow of the noted Denizes herd, Lancashire.
The win for this February 2022 born Simmental female, in what was a quality show of some 20 pedigree Simmental cattle, saw this remarkable lady complete a record four-in-a-row Simmental Championships and set a new record for Simmental cattle at a designated ‘major’, and possibly a record for any breed at these same events! Ballinalare Farm Nikita’s calf at foot was the April 2026 born Ballinalare Farm Tikita, who is sired by the noted Raceview King.
Striding out in the first class of the day, Ballinalare Farm Nikita went on to pick up the Female Championship before winning the day’s top prize. Nikita is of course by the well-known Saltire Impressive and is out of Ballinalare Farm Ilyssa, a Denizes Fantastic daughter. The roll call for this incredible now four year old cow sees her having four consecutive wins at the RUAS Balmoral, three in a row at NI Simmental National Shows, and along with multiple interbreed titles at various NI shows.
Of the record-breaking Ballinalare Farm Nikita, the judge John Barlow said: “My Supreme Champion is just a tremendous Simmental female. She was in top condition, has a fantastic Simmental breed head, is very mobile and walked out so well. Just a second calver, Nikita is full of milk and is doing a tremendous job of what is a cracking heifer calf at foot.”
So to the breeder and owner of the record breaking Ballinalare Farm Nikita, Joe Wilson, speaking after she had firmly cemented her place in Simmental history: “It’s amazing really and we’re very proud that we’ve shown and bred Ballinalare Farm Moneypenny who won at Balmoral three years in a row, and now Ballinalare Farm Nikita going one better than that. It’s maybe something that’s never been done before, and something you just don’t expect to do.
Nikita is a terrific cow, with style and size, and she’s just such a natural in the ring. We just have to walk with her, she does all the work.” As well as being Champion at Balmoral, Nikita also picked up titles at Omagh, and Castlewellan Shows. Ballinalare Farm Nikita is now retired from the show ring and is in calf to Hillcrest Champion. She’s certainly left her mark on RUAS Balmoral and Simmental show history!
Reserve Supreme & Junior Champion Lisglass SapphireLifting the Overall Reserve Supreme, the Overall Junior Championship, and the Reserve Female Championship, was the super stylish young heifer Lisglass Sapphire from Leslie & Chris Weatherup, Irish Hill, Ballyclare, Co Antrim. April 2025 born, this calf is another by Raceview King, and is out of Dermody Princess who herself stood Reserve Female to Nikita at Balmoral in 2024, and has also been Reserve Female at the NI Simmental National Show. Of his Overall Reserve Supreme, the judge John Barlow said: “What a super modern Simmental heifer this is. She was just full of style, had so much breed character with a terrific head, and is definitely one for the future.” Picking up the story of this heifer Chris Weatherup commented: “Lisglass Sapphire is the first calf of Dermody Princess who was bought herself because she was one of the smartest and most stylish heifers we’ve ever seen. We’ve watched and admired the quality of Raceview King progeny over the years and put Princess in calf to Raceview King praying for a heifer, and Sapphire was the result! We think she’s very like her mother in that she oozes style, ticks every box in a female we look to breed from and has the bloodlines to match the looks. We see Sapphire as a cornerstone female that we hope will go on to breed prize winners and be a leading female in our herd.” This may be Sapphire’s only time in a show ring and with the first focus from here getting her in calf early next year.
Male & Overall Reserve Junior Champion Mullyknock Scorpio
Taking the Male Championship, and the Overall Reserve Junior Championship was the May 2025 born bull Mullyknock Scorpio from Robert Forde, Tempo, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh. This calf is by Clonagh Tiger Gallant, and again features Raceview breeding being out of Raceview Pretty Lady Gretta. With a bit of a track record behind him, Mullyknock Scorpio won the Edward Orr Memorial Perpetual Cup at the NI Simmental Cattle Breeders Club National Show in 2025 at Clogher, as twelve week old calf. Other titles included the Overall Junior Continental Champion at the Fermanagh Pedigree Livestock Breeders Group Elite Calf Show held in Enniskillen in November 2025. Of his Male Champion the judge John Barlow said: “Again, this is what I’d call a modern type of Simmental bull who carries plenty of muscle but with an easy, soft fleshing.” Speaking afterwards a delighted Robert Forde said: “It’s special to win the Male Championship at the RUAS Balmoral Show and with a calf that we think is one of the best the Mullyknock herd has produced.”
Following the Male Champion through from his class, and lifting the Reserve Male Championship was another from Leslie & Chris Weatherup in the shape of Lisglass Showman, the Weatherups ‘favourite’ 2025 autumn born calf. September 2025 born, Showman is also by Saltire Impressive, and is out of Lisglass Lollipop, a Dermotstown Delboy (ET) EX 92 daughter. descending from the Milnafua Glitter line. Commenting on this boy Chris Weatherup said: “Showman’s dark red appearance and exceptional muscle made him a stand out calf and one we wanted to show. We are delighted that, at eight months old, he’s won the Reserve Male Championship at the RUAS Balmoral Show”. The aim from here with all being well is that Lisglass Showman will be entered for the Stirling Bull Sale in February 2027.
Reserve Male Champion Lisglass Showman
In the Best Pairs it was a win for the Ranfurly herd of WD & JD Hazelton, Cohannon House, Dungannon and with their class first prize winners Ranfurly Weikel 56th R5, and Ranfurly Jade 2nd R13. March 2024 born, Ranfurly Weikel 56th R5 is by the AI sire Annick Talisker, and is out of the Team Celtic 11 daughter, Ranfurly Weikel 37th L3 VG 87. At the 2025 NI Simmental National Show, this heifer had stood as Overall Reserve & Reserve Female Champion to Ballinalare Farm Nikita, and was Overall Junior Champion. September 2024 born, Ranfurly Jade 2nd R13 is an AI calf by the 16,000gns Ranfurly Limelight, and is out of Raceview Mindy Hibernia. A top pair, these two heifers went on to meet with more success when winning the Interbreed Beef Exhibitor Bred Pairs title.
Best Simmental Pair, Ranfurly Weikel 56, and Ranfurly Jade 2nd R13
See the full results below.
2026 Balmoral Show Simmental Results
Cow in calf or in milk having had calf by age of three years
1st Alan Wilson 163 Ballinalare Farm Nikita
2nd Connor Wilkinson 164 Clonagh Polly Holly
Ranfurly Weikel 56th
Heifer, in calf or calf at foot, born on after 1st January 2024, and on or before 30 June 2024
1st W D & J D Hazelton 165 Ranfurly Weikel 56th R5
2nd Alan Wilson 166 Ballinalare Farm Ritz
Ranfurly Jade 2nd R13
Heifer born on or after 1st July 2024 and on or before 31st Dec 2024
1st W D & J D Hazelton 168 Ranfurly Jade 2nd R13
2nd Connor Wilkinson 167 Broomfield Super Little D
3rd Susan McCullough 169 Rathnashan Star Neptune
HEIFER, born on or after 1st January 2025 and on or before 30th April 2025
1st J L & C J Weatherup 171 Lisglass Sapphire
2nd J L & C J Weatherup 172 Lisglass Silverbell
3rd Bridgewater Farm 170 Bridgewater Farm Wisteria 6th
4th Susan McCullough 173 Rathnashan There She Goes
HEIFER, born on or after 1st May 2025 and on or before 31st December 2025
1st JL & CL Weatherup 165 Lisglass Star
2nd R Forde 176 Mullyknock sunshine
3rd Bridgewater Farm 177 Bridgewater Farm Kleeb 4th
Bridgewater Farm Samson
Bull, born on or after 1st January 2025 and on or before 30th April 2025
1st Bridgewater Farm 178 Bridgewater Farm Samson 25
Bull, born on or after 1st May 2025 and on or before 31st December 2025
1st Robert Forde 180 Mullyknock Scorpio
2nd Jl & CJ Weatherup 183 Lisglass Showman
3rd Bridgewater Farm 182 Bridgewater Farm Superstar 25
4th L Wilson 181 Ballinalare Farm Supremo
Pair of animals, bona fide the property of one exhibitor and entered in the classes for which they are eligible.
1st W D & J D Hazelton, Ranfurly
2nd L Wilson, Ballinalare Farm
3rd J l & C J Weatherup, Lisglass
Supreme Champion
Ballinalare Farm Nikita A Wilson
Reserve Supreme Champion
Lisglass Sapphire J L & C J Weatherup
Junior Champion
Lisglass Sapphire J L & C J Weatherup
Reserve Junior Champion
Mullyknock Scorpio R Forde
Female Champion
Ballinalare Farm Nikita J & A Wilson
Reserve Female Champion
Lisglass Sapphire J L & C J Weatherup
Male Champion
Mullyknock Scorpio R Forde
Reserve Male Champion
Lisglass Showman J L & C J Weatherup
by Iain | Mar 30, 2026 | 2026 Northern Ireland News, 2026 News, 2026 Dungannon Sales, 2026
Gillview Ranger the first Simmental bull to sell at five figures at NI Society sale
Bulls average £5814.37, a new breed record, and up by £366.80
100% clearance rate
Records were broken at the British Simmental Cattle Society’s Sale at Dungannon Farmers Mart on Friday 27th March when local breeder Ryan Gilmour sold Gillview Ranger for 10,000gns.The 10,000gns is a new record for this Dungannon Sale, eclipsing last year’s 7200gns figure for Corrick Pressley, and is the first time a Simmental bull has sold at the five figure mark at a Society Sale in Northern Ireland.
10,000gns Gillview Ranger, Overall Supreme Champion
In the pre-sale show, this October 2024 born bull had been placed as Supreme Champion by the judge Robert Forde, of the noted Mullynock herd, Tempo. Commenting on his Champion, Mr Forde said: “My Champion was just a lovely, standout bull in the show. He was long, clean, well muscled, and has all the attributes to produce top end market weaners for commercial farmers, and to make a stock bull for a pedigree herd.”
Simmental judge, Robert Forde, Mullynock herd.
Full of breeding, the stylish Gillview Ranger is by the noted AI sire Coose Lincoln (ET) EX 95, and is out of Raceview Millie Fairytale, a Kilbride Farm Delboy 12 daughter purchased from Peter & Marion O’Connell in October 2021. At Stirling in February this year, Coose Lincoln (ET) EX 95 sons made 20,000gns, 19,000gns, 18,000gns, and 13,000gns.
Gillview Ranger’s figures see him in the Simmental breed’s top 15% for Maternal (Milk), and top 5% for Eye Muscle Area. The combination of pedigree, performance, and the bull in himself, caught the eye of commercial suckler man Derek Reaney, Plumbridge, Co Tyrone, who paid the day’s top price. Speaking afterwards Mr Reaney said: “I really liked this bull’s picture on Facebook, and then in the flesh when I saw him at the pre-sale show. He’s a very modern type of bull, has a great top line, and plenty of muscle. I run 75 to 80 suckler cows, both Limousin X and Saler X, and my aim is to use Gillview Ranger to breed quality female replacements.”
The sale has come at a very timely moment with Ryan soon to be married to his fiancée Shannon. Commenting, Ryan said: Gillview Ranger has been an outstanding calf from birth and quickly became a firm favourite of mine, and especially of Shannon. In the lead-up to the sale, we were quietly confident as he was looking really well and we’re over the moon that he’s made this record price. It certainly had a feel that fate was on our side, as we were just 10 days away from our wedding at the time of the sale in Dungannon, and Ranger went on to sell for 10,000gns, making “10” a number to remember for us!”
Ryan, who is also the NI Simmental Breeders Club Secretary went on to say: “We are proud to support and promote the Simmental breed here in Northern Ireland, and particularly with Dungannon Mart on our doorstep. We are really delighted to set a new Northern Ireland Simmental sale record, reaching a five-figure price for a bull, and during the NI Simmental Club’s 55th anniversary this year. He’s gone to an excellent home, remaining locally in Tyrone with well-known commercial farmer Derek Reaney, and we would like to wish him every success with Ranger. We also extend our thanks to the mart staff and the Wylie family for their continued support and for hosting Simmental sales in Dungannon over the years.” The sale represents a high price to date for the Gillview herd which presently consists of ten breeding cows. Further success was attained in the show ring last year when Gillview Rocket lifted the Reserve Male Champion at the NI National Show in Clogher.
In a small but quality sale at Dungannon, the bulls sold averaged £5814.37, a new record average and up by £366.80 on last year’s sale, and with a total clearance of the eight bulls forward.
Selling at 7000gns was the upstanding Ashland Silvester from Pat & Frank Kelly, Tempo, Co Fermanagh. January 2025 born this bull is by the AI sire Ashland Brandy, and is out of Raceview Mollyfortuna 887, a Dermotstown Delboy EX 92 daughter. This bull also carried strong performance figures being in the breed’s top 5% for Calving Ease Daughters, and top 15% for Maternal (Milk). Buying this bull was John McGovern, Enniskillen, C Fermanagh.
7000gns Ashland Silvester
At 5600gns was Coolcran Rafiki 24 from Shane & Paul McDonald, Coolcran, Tempo, Co Fermanagh. A feature of the sale bulls offered, Coolcran Rafiki 24 also combined a depth of breeding, strong performance figures, and a prize winning show record. September 2024 born, Rafiki is by Islavale Miami, and is out of Coolcran Heidi’s Khaleesi, a maternal sister to the 26,000gns Coolcran Heidi’s Noreen, and noted as the best cow family in the herd.
With strong performance figures, Coolcran Rafiki 24 is in the breed’s top 10% for Maternal (Milk); is in the top 5% for 600 day weight; top 10% for 200 & 400 day weight; top 5% for Eye Muscle Area; and carried the best Calving Ease Direct figure in the catalogue. With a show record behind him, Coolcran Rafiki 24 was the winner of the DANI Rosebowl for Best Performance Recorded Bull at the NI National Show, Clogher, last year. Coolcran Rafiki 24 was knocked down to Victor MacFarland, Ballygawley, Dungannon.
5600gns Coolcran Rafiki
It was a good day at the sale for Gavin Hayes & Son, Upper Ballinderry, Lisburn, Co Antrim, who kicked off the sale by selling Haystar Revolver for 5200gns John J Cavanagh, Pomeroy, Dungannon.. This April 2024 born bull calf is sired by Lissadell Nailer, and is out of Raceview Lively HW Nicolet, by Clonagh Tiger Gallant, who was purchased from a Raceview reduction sale. In November 2024 this bull was Junior Champion at the NI Simmental Club Calf Show held at Ballymena Livestock Market. At the pre-show sale of bulls at Dungannon, Haystar Revolver was placed Reserve Supreme Champion. Of this bull the judge Robert Forde said: “This was a big, long, square bull. He was excellent on his legs, clean through his brisket, and again should go on to produce excellent, first quality calves.”
5200gns Haystar Revolver, Overall Reserve Champion
On the day the Haystar herd also had the top priced female when they sold the in-calf heifer Haystar Wonder 13 for 5700gns. July 2023 born, Haystar Wonder 13 is by the noted AI sire Corrick Kentucky Kid, and is out of the Cleenagh Flasher daughter Haystar Wonder (ET). Scanned in-calf to Coose Kingston, and due mid May, Haystar Wonder 13 was bought by Ashley Bowden for his Legmurn herd at Stewartstown, Co Tyrone.
AVERAGES:
8 Bulls £5814.37 (+£366.80)
5 Heifers £3927
Auctioneers: Dungannon Farmers Mart.
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