Stirling Spring Sale – Pedigree breeders bid 20,000 gns twice for Scotland’s best at the Perth Spring Bull Sales


blackford_worzel

Commercial trade underpinned a strong demand for the better quality bulls in the Simmental sale ring at the Perth Spring Bull Sales on Monday 15th February 2010. A larger tail-end than usual meant that a higher percentage of bulls sold under the 3000 gns mark, which hasn’t been seen for some time, however the breed average continued to rise on the year by some 200 gns.

With an 88% clearance and 135 bulls sold through the ring to average 4,751 gns compared with a 4,544 gns average in 2009 for six less sold, breeders went home feeling satisfied with the prices achieved but with a warning ringing in their ears, “that only the best will do” – a sentiment which will never change – but will continually return to dampen the ego of even the best breeder!

For the best in the judging ring, proved the best in the sale ring – 20,000 gns for the Supreme Champion and again for the Intermediate – a glowing tribute in itself, if one was needed – to the “man in the middle” – Robert McAlister, owner of the Bruchag herd on the Isle of Bute.

Intermediate Champion, Blackford Worzel 2 forward from J. C. McLaren and Partners, who sold at 20,000 gns to Manor Park Herd

The first to fetch 20,000 gns was the Intermediate Champion, Blackford Worzel 2, from J. C. McLaren and Partners, who acquired a large portion of the long-established Blackford herd last Spring from Billy MacPherson, Blackford, Croy, Inverness, as foundation stock to establish a new herd. Bred from the Irish sire, Celtic Rock, who has recently been proving a point in the breeding stakes, producing some of the top prices at the autumn sale, and from the Curlieu Knight sired dam, Blackford Ragtime, Worzel 2, sold as a new herd sire to the Manor Park herd of D. C. Houldey, Lauder, Berwickshire.

Supreme and Junior Champion, Auchorachan Wizard, bred by D. & R. Durno and Sons, who sold at 20,000 gns. to Ballinalare Farm Herd

The Junior Champion, Auchorachan Wizard, put the icing on the cake for a memorable Bull Sales for D. & R. Durno and Sons, Glenlivet, when he was tapped out as Supreme Champion and going on to fetch 20,000 gns in the sale ring, when he sold to the Ballinalare Farm Herd in Northern Ireland, belonging to Joe Wilson and family. With his dam having been bred in the famous Ravensworth herd, Wizard was sired by the Brinkton Brilliant son, Saltire Talent. Following on from a highly successful beef event at Auchorachan last autumn, where the large turnout of commercial producers were extremely impressed by the excellent quality of the commercial suckler herd, this time it was the pedigree herd which took the plaudits.

Auchorachan Winger, sold to the Team Herd at 10,000 gns

It certainly was a case of “keep it in the family” when Auchorachan lifted the joint second top price of the sale, 10,000 gns for the Clonagh Tiger Galant son, Auchorachan Winger. This 1st prize winner in class 10, whose dam Auchorachan Tara is a half sister to the day’s 20,000 gns champion, sold to Robert Macgregor, Kirkton of Mailler, Perth, as a new herd sire for the Team herd. Winger helped give the Durno family an impressive 11,000 gns average for their three bulls, when their third entry, the third prizewinning Auchorachan Whisky sold at 3200 gns.

Innerwick Winchester bred by Mr. and Mrs. L. Moffat, sold at 10,000 gns to Whiteknowes

The final four figure price, again 10,000 gns was realised by Innerwick Winchester, a third prize winner in class 7 for Dorothy and Lindsay Moffat. Sired by the herd’s stock bull, Oakhill Ned onto the homebred Innerwick Natasha, Winchester had an impressive milk figure of +12. He sold to the Whiteknowes herd of W. J. Barclay.

Banwy Wonderboy exhibited by R. E. Jones, lifted the Senior Championship before selling at 9,500 gns to the Popes Herd

Four bulls were bid to 9,500 gns and the first of those through the ring was the Reserve Supreme and Senior Champion from the Banwy herd in Wales of R. E. Jones. This Camus Brandy son, Banwy Wonderboy, whose dam the Starline New Yorker sired Sexygirl, is off for pedigree breeding in the Popes Herd of Jimmy and Vicky Wood.

Denzies Warrior, from M. Barlow sold for 9,500 gns.

A handful of bulls later and it was the turn of the Denizes herd to get a piece of the top action when their second prize winning Dripsey Super King sired Warrior was bid to 9,500 gns. With a wealth of show winning breeding on the dam side, the Barlow family’s Denizes Warrior sold to Wm. Barnetson & Son, Wick, Caithness.

Reserve Intermediate Champion, Kilbride Farm Warren sold at 9,500 gns for W. H. Robsons & Sons

The best from W. H. Robson & Sons, the Reserve Intermediate Champion, Kilbride Farm Warren, full of home breeding on both sides, fetched 9,500 gns selling to A. Connolly, Moffat, Dumfriesshire. The final bull at this price was the second prizewinning Grangewood Wallace. This Gretna Supersonic son was forward from Andrew and Yvonne Leedham and sold to R. K. Bryce and Son, Stanley, Perth.

Grangewood Wallace by Gretna House Supersonic from Andrew and Yvonne Leedham sold for 9,500 gns.

Getting a sale tag of 8,500 gns was the best from Jimmy and Iain Green’s Corskie herd at Fochabers, Moray. Corskie Wealth by the Ballinalare Farm Nightrider stock bull who has gave the herd many top priced lots over the past number of years sold to pedigree breeder, W. J. Hollingswood, Midhope herd, near Sheffield. The Dellfield herd of Brian Grant, Druid Temple Farm, Inverness, brought out the first sons of Stralongford Trojan, the 16,000 gns Supreme champion in October 2007 when purchased following Brian’s judging stint that day, as a new stock bull. His purchase gave the herd one of their best prices to date when Dellfield Warrior, sold for 8,500 gns to Stephen Allardyce, Aboyne, Aberdeenshire.

The Innerwick herd was in the money again, when their second prizewinning Innerwick Whisky 2nd by Hillcrest Butcher fetched 7,500 gns selling to the Campbell’s, Wick, Caithness.

FEMALES

Topping the female sale was the Ballinalare Farm Nightrider daughter, Corskie Vail, from the Green’s at Fochabers, Moray. She sold at 4,000 gns incalf to the Kilbride Farm Tarrant stock bull to R. and C. Simmers, Peterhead, who also added the Reserve Female Champion at 3,600 gns to their float home. This was the Ashland Superboy daughter, Blair Willow, forward from Colin Fordyce, Meigle. Hamish Gilbert’s Celtic Rock sired Whiteridden Wendy also fetched 3,600 gns. She sold to Mrs. M. Ward and Sons, Lanarkshire.

22 females averaged 1,932 gns.
Dirnanean draft: 4 females averaged 2775 gns.
Skerrington draft: 10 females averaged 2350 gns.
Westridge draft: 7 females averaged 1707 gns.
Fishwick draft: 5 females average 1610 gns.

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Simmental Autumn Sales finish on a flyer at Carlisle

Simmental Autumn Sales finish on a flyer at Carlisle


midhope_winston

The British Simmental Society autumn sales ended with a flyer at Carlisle, when the bull average soared by 1500 gns with three more sold than in 2008 and with females peaking at 4000 gns for the youngest heifer in the catalogue. Demand has been such this autumn that virtually every Simmental sale has witnessed at least a ninety per cent or higher, clearance of stock – which speaks volumes for the quality of bulls and females which have been offered for sale.

There was certainly no superstition about when Lot No. 13, born on 13th April 2008 entered the sale ring on Friday 13th for W. J. Hollingsworth, Midhope Hall Farm, Sheffield. This son of Dirnanean Snowie, bred from the homebred Greenside Eric daughter, Midhope Eve, having lifted the reserve male championship in the show ring, commanded much interest by intending purchasers, before fetching a sale topping price of 5,500 gns.

Reserve Champion, Midhope Winston - top price of the day at 5500gns

At 4,500 gns, Gerrard Winner, provided his breeder Bob Carter with a memorable day showing and selling at Carlisle. The Gerard herd have down through the years featured prominently in the top end of proceedings at their local sale and this year was certainly nothing different. This April 2008 born Salisbury Challenger son was full of home breeding on the maternal side with the dam being Gerrard Royale 7th. Mr. Carter was back in the ring two bulls later selling Gerrard Ward for 3,200 gns. This Brinkton Brilliant son was bred from the famous Belinda family, with the dam being the Sacombe Wishful Thinking daughter, Belinda 28th.

Gerrard Winner from RH Carter & son sold for 4500gns

Next in the bull money list, was the Supreme and Male Champion, Blackpool Wyatt, forwarded from David Loftus, Lodge Farm, Kirkham, Lancashire. Sired by the imported Polled Danish Sire, Lamhoj Supery, and bred from the Sterling Logan daughter, Blackpool Penelope, Wyatt commanded a sale price of 3400 gns.

Needwood Willy sold at 3,000 gns for Messrs. B. and D. F. Williams, Hollybank Cottage Farm, Burton-on-Trend. This February 2008 born Popes Juggernaut son was bred from Needwood Hannah by Newborough Grange Mistro. At 2,600 gns, Tirley Wayfarer (ET) sired by Sterling Flint and bred from the show winning Ingleston Vodka daughter, Darsham Gem provided Mr. S. P. White with a top bracket price.

Champion, Blackpool Wyatt sold for 3400gns

All eyes in the female section were cast on the youngest entry in the catalogue, the Blackford Ringleader daughter, Chestermann Ringleader Katy, forward from Nick and Nadia Gwynne, Crymych, Pembrokeshire, in Wales. Having lifted the female championship and reserve supreme ribbons in the pre-sale show, Katy sold for the top female price of 4,000 gns. Born the last day of September 2007, and part of the Gwynne’s draft female sale, she was bred from the Sterling Rapier daughter, Chestermann Katrina’s Kuss. Chestermann Ringleader Nymph sold at 2500 gns and Chestermann Ringleader Melody sold at 2400 gns to help this impressive draft of 11 heifers average 2131gns.

Mr R. H. Carter and Son were back in the honours and the money again when their homebred Blackford Harvester daughter, Gerrard Belinda 47th lifted the reserve female championship together with her Brinkton Brilliant heifer calf at foot. This February 2007 born heifer and her 4 month old heifer calf sold at 1900 gns.

Averages:
10 Bulls, 3000 gns (7 bulls 1500 gns)
1 heifer with calf 1900 gns
3 females, 1233 gns (5 at 960 gns)
Chestermann draft, 11 at 2131 gns.

Stirling Agricultural Centre Show and Sale of Simmental Cattle

Stirling Agricultural Centre Show and Sale of Simmental Cattle


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A depth of quality gets strong Commercial vote as price averages rise significantly

“Spoilt for choice,” the comment of a leading commercial suckler farmer, just about summed up the quality of the Simmental bulls at the first autumn show and sale held at Perth Bull Sales new home, United Auctions modern state of the art premises on the outskirts of Stirling.

As good an autumn show of bulls as has been seen for some time reached out to tempt commercial producers who responded with an emphatic vote of confidence in the breed, which saw the sale average increase by some £834 on the year for 92 bulls, 17 more than last year, while the female average jumped £172 for 30 sold.

Hockenhull Waterloo, the 16,000 gns sale leader which provided a fond farewell to exhibiting at the Perth Bull Sales for his retiring breeder, Hugo Arnold, Hockenhull Farms, Tarvin, Chester, who recently dispersed his prizewinning herd.

It was ironic though, that the sale topping price of 16,000 gns was reserved for the third last bull through the ring. Hockenhull Waterloo, sired by the 12,000 gns Blackford Harvester, provided a fitting finale for one of the breed’s “true gentlemen”, Hugo Arnold, Hockenhull Farms, Tarvin, Chester, to sign off with from the Autumn Perth Bull Sales. For a breeder, synonomous with quality cattle, who recently dispersed his prizewinning Hockenhull herd, it was the end of an illustrious career which deservedly ended on a high note. Waterloo, whose dam Hockenhull Girlie 13th, was the dam of several outstanding lots at that dispersal sale, sold to his sire’s breeder, Billy McPherson, Blackford Farm, Croy, Inverness.

The red ribbon Corskie Woody from Class 7 secured 12,000 gns for Jimmy and Iain Green’s Corskie herd giving them the second top price of the sale.

Iain Green, who has just been elected onto the British Simmental Cattle Society Council, as a Scottish Club representative and father, Jimmy, can be extremely satisfied with a fine day’s trading having secured the two lead prices in the female section as well as runner-up in bulls for their renowned Corskie herd at Garmouth, Fochabers. Hitting the heights in the bulls, was Corskie Woody, an April 2008 born son of the Irish sire, Celtic Rock, who sold for 12,000 gns to Pitgaveney Farms, Elgin. Earlier in the sale, Corskie Wham, a son of the herd’s stock bull, Ballinalare Farm Nightrider sold for 8500 gns selling to the Burytown pedigree herd of Mr and Mrs Fields, Blunsdon, Swindon.

Andrew and Yvonne Leedham secured a personal best price of 11,000 gns for Grangewood William.

Grangewood William exhibited by Andrew and Yvonne Leedham, Swadlincote, near Derby, who secured the blue ribbons in the last intermediate class, attracted much attention in the salering selling at 11,000 gns to the Sacombe pedigree herd in Hertfordshire, owned by Paull, Judy and Bridget Borlase. This eyecatching son of Popes Laird who had won his class at the Royal Show in July, was bred from the homebred dam, Grangewood Sundial by Blackford Falcon.

The best from the Kilbride Farm herd of W. H. Robson and Sons, Co. Antrim, the February 2008 born Kilbride Farm Wick sold for 10,000 gns.

Two Northern Ireland bulls commanded the final two five figure prices of 10,000 gns each. First through the ring was the best from W. H. Robson and Sons, Doagh, Co. Antrim. Sired by the homebred stock bull and widely recognised AI sire, Kilbride Farm Newry, the February 2008 born Kilbride Farm Wick now joins the Chestermann pedigree herd of Nick and Nadia Gwynne, Pembrokeshire, in Wales.

Omorga Watson, the Junior Champion, was exhibited by Messrs H. J. W. and J. C. Moore, Beragh, Co. Tyrone, N.I.

Omorga Watson, secured the final five figure sum, selling to Norman Innes, Findhorn, Forres. Having lifted the junior championship earlier in the day under the scrutiny of judge, Jimmy Wood, whose Popes Herd itself has lifted many top accolades in the show and sale ring up and down the country, Watson has an impressive pedigree legacy behind him. Being a full brother, to the jointly record priced Samson, stock bull at Strathisla, he is an embryo son bred from the highly successful mating of one of the most prolific brood cows in the breed, Cleenagh Daffodil and the widely acclaimed Irish bull, Raceview King, a combination which has proved unbeatable for his Omorga herd owners, Messrs. Harry and John Moore, Beragh, Co. Tyrone.

Gordon Clark, Auchtermuchty, Cupar, received 9,000 gns for Broombrae Wayne

A cracker from the Broombrae herd of Gordon Clark, Auchtermuchty, Cupar, gave his owner a personal best price of 9,000 gns for the March 2008 born Broombrae Wayne. Sired by the herd’s stock bull, Woodhall Regent, a trait leader for 400 day growth, this big long red bull who was a third prizewinner in the pre-sale show sold north to A. Sime and Son, Bruceland, Elgin. Another by the Irish AI sire, Celtic Rock commanded 9,000 gns for Messrs J. and G. Houliston, Drem, North Berwick. Saltire Wallace whose dam is the homebred Saltire Pearl, is off for commercial work for J. Campbell, Bardnaclaven, Thurso.

Saltire Wallace, by Celtic Rock commanded 9,000 gns for J. and G. Houliston, Drem, North Berwick.

Darshams Lucky Strike, the Islavale stock bull added another highly valued son to his list when Stewart Stronach and son Stewart, Grange, Keith, got an 8,500 gns sale in the form of Islavale Watson. Bred from the Whitemire Kansas daughter, Islavale Maxine, Watson sold to W. S. Galloway, Culnoag, Newton Stewart.

A hat-trick of bulls on the 8000 gns mark was led by Wroxall Wallace, a polled son of the Danish sire, Vingegard Texas and when bred to the Whitemire Guardian daughter, Wroxall Nice Moira, gave owners Dan Evans and son Rob, the reserve senior championship in the pre-sale show before selling to C. and M. Emslie, Law Farm, Insch. The Skerrington herd of John and William Young, Hurlford, Kilmarnock, hit the heights with a Starline Klassik son, who sold to pedigree breeders, Brian and Anne Wise, Skipton-on-Swale, Thirsk, Yorkshire. Lakeside Warrior provided Cecil Chartres and David Farrell, Lisbellaw, Co. Fermanagh, N.I. with a herd personal best when their Kilbride Farm Newry son sold to S. Gummow, Newquay, Cornwall.

7,500 gns for the reserve intermediate champion, Braegarrie Wisdom gave Lindsay and Shona Currie and son, Robert, a best ever price when their Corskie Regal son sold to the Bruchag pedigree herd of Robert McAlister, Langalbuinach, Rothesay.

The In-calf Corskie Valerie lifted the female championship for Messrs. W. J. and J. Green, Fochabers, Morayshire.

Two Ballinalare Farm Nightrider daughters, Corskie Vixen and Corskie Valerie commanded the lead prices in the female section, for the Corskie herd of Jimmy and Iain Green, Garmouth, Fochabers. At 4,500 gns each the two incalf heifers sold to D. Evans, Carraton and G. S. and G. I. Pettit, Main of Tannochy, Buckie, respectively.

Sale Averages:
Bulls £4920 (92), Females £2135 (30).

Woodhall Warren, the Supreme and Intermediate Champion, forward from Cecil McIlwaine, and son Neil, Newtownstewart, Co. Tyrone, N.I.

Mr. A. Davies, Cardigan, Ceredigion, Wales, exhibited the Reserve Supreme and Senior Champion, Hirwaun Washy.

Bristol Sales Centre Show and Sale of Simmental Cattle

Bristol Sales Centre Show and Sale of Simmental Cattle


TS Lot 55

The autumn show and sale of Pedigree Simmental cattle held at the Bristol Sales Centre, drew an excellent entry of quality stock which proved to be much sought after by a filled ringside of customers. Quality paid dividends with bidding strong throughout the sale.

Henry Widdicombe’s Starline herd came up trumps topping the sale with Starline Wizard, while lifting the championship with Starline Westminster, two bulls which boasted practically total home breeding on both sides of their pedigree. Wizard, bred from one of the top females in the herd, Starline Lorette 9th, the dam of Starline Marquis, a bull which has bred well at Delfur Farms in Scotland, created quite a stir when he entered the ring, with the hammer falling at 3300 gns. The April 2008 born Starline Westminster lifted the championship, another to add to the collection for this famous Devon based herd. Westminster, weighed in with a sale day weight of 938 kgs. – demonstrating tremendous power and correctness, the champion sold at 2000 gns.

Mr. Henry Widdicombe’s Starline Westminster, the Male Champion

The Camus Frontier son, Cliftonswood Whiz Kid, bred from the homebred dam Cliftonswood Beauty and entered by Mr H. J. Brown, attracted much interest before selling for 2400 gns.

Burytown Wellington, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Field, the Simmental Reserve Champion Male

Two lots attracted bids of 2300 gns. Firstly, Lot No. 41, the pre-sale’s show Reserve Champion, from Mr and Mrs Field. Burytown Wellington, was bred from the Scottish dam, Skerrington Sunset 20th and sired by the highly successful Skerrington/Annick stock bull, Sterling Nelson 2nd. The Irish bred sire, Celtic Rock, by Carnkern Titan proved a successful mating to the homebred Beanhill Surprise, for owners, Mr and Mrs Kimber, with Beanhill Wyoming, born in April 2008, also selling for 2300 gns.

Beanhill Wynona, sired by Celtic Rock and bred from Beanhill Sheena, owned by Mr and Mrs. R. J. Kimber, sold for the top maiden heifer price of 2500 gns.

Potential customers looking for quality breeding females for their herd were not to be disappointed. Attracting a bid of 2550 gns, was the in-calf heifer, Greenfields Vesta, forward from Giles Green. Bred from one of the leading females in the herd, Curlieu Foxy Lady 4th, Vesta was sired by Corskie Pilot.

Oakhill Heidi 2nd sold for the top price of 2900 gns in the dispersal of Mrs. S. Wakefield’s Oakhill Herd

Amongst the stars in the sale, was the March 2008 born, Celtic Rock sired Beanhill Wynona. Much admired before the sale, Wynona added to a highly successful day’s trading for Mr. and Mrs. Kimber, selling for the top maiden heifer price of 2500 gns.

During the dispersal sale of the renowned Oakhill herd for Mrs. S. Wakefield, who has bred many prizewinning cattle over the years, she saw her best sell for 2900 gns. This leading female price on the day was bid for Oakhill Heidi 2nd , by Rhys Grenham, owner of the Boars Head herd. Another to display the herd prefix on both sides of her pedigree, Heidi 2nd was sired by the Gretna House Supersonic son Oakhill Moka and bred from the Balmanno Hitman daughter, Oakhill Heidi.

AVERAGES:
4 cows £1772.
10 in-calf heifers £1563.
9 maiden heifers £1270.
18 bulls £1955.
Oakhill Dispersal (6) £1678.

Balmaud Dispersal Sale and Annick Reduction Sale

Balmaud Dispersal Sale and Annick Reduction Sale


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United Auctions conducted the dispersal sale of the Balmaud Simmental Herd at Stirling Agricultural Centre on behalf of Messrs W & G Strachan on Friday 25 September 2009.

The sale attracted buyers from Shetland and Wiltshire. Top price was 10000gns for the stock bull “Woodhall Volcano”. This 2 ½ year old son of Corrick Kentucky Kid attracted a lot of interest from breeders impressed with the calves he had sired in the herd. The bull was purchased by neighbours M/s Hamilton, Aikengall and M/s MacAskill, Woodhall, Innerwick, Dunbar. Next top price was 4500gns achieved twice for cows with calves at foot. The first was paid by A G Stephen & Co Burnside of Idoch, Turriff for an eight year old Austrian bred cow Mausi which was sold with a Woodhall Vocano heifer calf at foot. Second at 4500gns was a homebred heifer, Balmaud Tracy which was sold with an outstanding Innerwick Renown heifer calf at foot the purchaser was A & I McInnes Ruaig, Isle of Tiree.

4000gns was achieved three times, firstly for a homebred cow Balmaud Shannon which was sold with a bull calf to M/s S Mackie, Balquhindachy, Methlick. At the same price Mr & Mrs Field, Upper Burytown Farm, Blunsdon, Swindon purchased Balmaud Topaz a homebred heifer with an Innerwick Renown heifer calf at foot.

Senior stock bull Strathisla Nuggat was also sold at 4000gns to M/s S Allardyce, East Town, Tarland

In calf heifers topped at 3000gns for the impressive 2 ½ year old Balmaud Vogue. This heifer, a daughter of Innerwick Renown, was purchased by M/s Moffat, Innerwick Farm, Dunbar.

Averages
29 cows and heifers with calves at foot averaged £2454.82
29 in calf cows and heifers and maiden heifers averaged £1420.03
11 stock / production bulls averaged £3102.27

United Auctions also conducted a major reduction sale of the Annick Herd of pedigree Simmental cattle on behalf of Mr L D Quarm.

Top price was 4200gns paid for a maiden heifer, Annick Helen’s Vicky a much fancied lot which has already had a successful show season. The buyer was M/s Green, Corskie, Fochabers. Cows with calves sold to 3200gns for Annick Helen a daughter of Gretna House Fantastic sold with a bull calf at foot the buyer was M/s D Bell & Son, Kincraigie, Strathmiglo.

Mr D Craig, Kennox Cottage, Stewarton paid 3000gns for Annick Helen’s Tara a heifer sold with its first calf at foot. 2600gns was paid by T C Gillespie Southpark, Borgue, Kirkcudbright for a promising in calf heifer Annick Poppy.

Averages
14 cows and heifers with calves at foot averaged £2006.25
14 heifers in calf and maiden heifers averaged £1918.00
2 bulls £1575

Stirling Agricultural Centre
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Hockenhull bow out on a top note

Hockenhull bow out on a top note


sales top

By Fiona Sloan

After nearly 40 years of breeding Simmental Cattle, Hugo, Geraldine and James Arnold saw their beloved herd go to new homes. Hugo’s impending retiral had forced the sale of a herd, which was renowned throughout the breed both here and overseas and around 1000 people turned up to witness the event and take the last chance of buying a Hockenhull female. As Hugo said at the conclusion of the sale, “every story has a start middle and end ….and this is the end!” It was the end of the Hockenhull Herd but a beginning for several new herds as well as many established herds, when 78 buyers bought the 102 lots on offer to a top of £17500 for cow and her first calf from the famous Snow Queen line.

Mrs Hayley Clarke, The Croft, Hevingham, Norwich paid 10,000gns for the Popes Laird bred Hockenhull Snow Queen 35th out of Snow Queen 25th by the Herd Stock bull for many years Blackford Harvester, to join her Williams Herd. Harvester will retire with the family and was not at the sale. Her heifer calf Snow Queen 40th, by Dirnanean Solomon, sold for7,500gns to DW &CE Jones Wiltor Lodge, Wilcrick, Magor, Gwent . This calf was one of several at the sale by Dirnanean Soloman, another of the successful stock bulls at Hockenhull.

Hockenhull Juliet 10th took the individual top price when she sold for 14,000gns with her Hockenhull Red Rum calf, Juliet 13th at foot to new breeder Mike Frazer, Ballyclare Road, Templepatrick, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland, one of three lots bought by Mr. Frazer. Juliet 10th is a 2006 cow by Hockenhull Norman out of the Harvester daughter Juliet 3rd who was sold in calf again to Red Rum.

Tony and Anne Jukes, Swallowhill, Sandhurst, Kent added the first of the in calf heifers, Trudy 36th to their Swallowhill Herd for a bid of 11,000gns. A January 2007 heifer by Hockenhull Norman, she was sold in calf to the current stock Bull Hockenhull Red Rum and will undoubtedly be closely watched on the show circuit next summer.

The first of several Scottish purchases went to The Greenhill Family, Craighall, Duntrune, Dundee when they paid 10,000gns for Snow Queen 39th. This 14 month old heifer is by Red Rum and out of the Blackford Harvester bred Snow Queen 19th.

David and Lesley Sapsed from Heathbrow Herd Codicote, Hitchin Hertfordshire went to 9,000gns to secure one of their three lots, Hockenhull Girlie 22nd. Girlie 22nd is from another famous line at Hockenhull and is a daughter of the Dovefields Gallant bred Girlie 13th that went to Findlay and Judy McGowan at Incheoch earlier in the day for 5,800gns and was dam of several outstanding lots in the sale. Girlie 22nd that is again by Harvester was sold with her 4th calf at foot, Girlie 49th by Dirnanean Soloman. David and Lesley had previously purchased the 5th calver Susanna 9th earlier in the sale for 7,000gns. Susanna 9th is out of Susanna 4th F37 and is again by Harvester and was sold with her bull calf Hockenhull Alaska 09 at foot by Red Rum.

Stuart Stronach, Berryleys, Grange, Keith, waited to later in the day to add Girlie 41st to his Islavale Herd. By the 17,000gns Glenturk Rolex she was an ET daughter of Girlie13th and sold for 8,000gns. She sold with a sire index of +31 and a Self replacing index of +39.

Hayley Clark added to her earlier purchase when she bought yet another Girlie 13th daughter, Girlie 47th for 7,500gns. Again by Rolex, she had a +35 Self Replacing Index to go with her.

Neill McGeoch was happy to bring his 7,000gns purchase Juliet 12th home to the Hazelden Herd based at Easter Blacklaw, Stewarton, Ayrshire. Juliet 12th is a February 2008 heifer by Solomon and out of Juliet 5th by Harvester.

Another 7,000gns purchase headed north, when Brian Grant, Druid Temple, South Inverness, bought Sarah 20th with her July born Red Rum Bull calf at foot. Sarah 20th is a third calving Harvester daughter out of Sarah 10th by Woodhall Dynamite.

Joe and Rachael Ede, Stone Leys, Four Trees, Checkley, Stock on Trent, spent 6,800gns to secure their choice, Deborah 11th , with her March born Red Rum bull calf at foot, Adjutant 09. Deborah 11th is by Hockenhull Norman and out of a Balmano Hitman daughter Deborah 7th.

M. Hind, Bungehurst, Newick Lane, Mayfield, East Sussex, paid 6,200gns for Snow Queen 37th to join their Ravensdale Herd. A Harvester daughter, she was sold with her first calf at foot, Snow Queen 41st by Red Rum and in calf again to Red Rum.

No less than four lots made 6,000gns. The first of these was another from the Snow Queen line, the Hockenhull Kojac daughter, Snow Queen, 26th who was out of the very successful Snow Queen 8th. She is a fourth calver and was sold with her April born Harvester calf Snow Queen 42nd at foot. She sold to Richard Storer Smith, to join his herd at Spath Farm, Utoxeter.

Robin and Rory Bell, Roxburgh Mains, Kelso, paid 6,000gns for Hockenhull Sarah 22nd, a second calving daughter of Hockenhull Norman out of Sarah 17th. Her Bull calf Abadan 09 by Harvester was sold separately to Barry Harding, Cornerfields, Holly Bush Lane, Bucks for 4,800gns giving a 10,800gns tag for the outfit. The very next lot in the ring also sold for 6,000gns and again headed north. This time to Mrs. Margaret Addison’s Lartington Herd at The Keld, Kings Meaburn, Penrith, when she purchased Juliet 5th, an April 05 Harvester daughter, with her March born Dirnanean Soloman bull calf, Achilles 09 at foot.

Mr. W. J. Hollingsworth, High Midhope Hall, Midhopestones, Sheffield also paid 6,000gns for Deborah 12th. An April 07 daughter of Red Rum and out of a Harvester daughter, Deborah 6th, she was sold in calf to Hockenhull Kramer.

The Stock Bull, Hockenhull Red Rum, sold for £6000gns to Paul Gunther, Fir Covert, Felthorpe, Norwich, to join his Fircovert Herd.

Semen from Hockenhull Magnum sold to 80gns to Jimmy and Vikki Wood, Popes Farm, Dutton, Longridge. The same buyers paid 65gns for Magnum’s sire’s semen from Overhall Hivy, both hugely influential in the success Hockenhull herd.

There was never any doubt that the sale would be a huge success but it exceeded all expectations when the 102 lots sold averaged a massive £4447!

Tributes were given to the Arnold family at the end by Dan Evans from the Wroxhall Herd, a life long friend and fellow breeder and the family were presented with the First Edition of the new Border Fine Arts Simmental Cow and Calf which comes out in January and is modelled on one of the Hockenhull cows.

A presentation was also given by the Society General Secretary, Claire Rowbotham to Fiona Sloan, their Development Manager who leaves the Society this month after 5 years.

OTHER AVERAGES
Cows without calves at foot 13 £4079
Cows with calves at foot 44 £4704
Bull Calves 6 £3413
Heifer Calves 4 £4909
In Calf Heifers 18 £4632
Maiden Heifers 13 £4232
Stock Bull 1 £6300
Young Bulls 3 £2940