Glengorm leads at 8000gns

The champion from first-time Oban vendor, Tim Radford, from Heydour, in Lincolnshire, gave him and stock manager Daniel Rowbottom a great start in the breed when he added 6500gns to the coveted championship ticket.

This black two-year-old, Cameron Dubh of Kelby, is by Conan Dubh of Craigowmill and out of Fiona 2 of Bien Esk, a foundation cow in the 17-cow fold. He’s already been successfully shown, having been reserve champion at Rutland County and Royal Norfolk shows.
The final bid came from Morven Coghill, buying on behalf of Blingery Farms, Wick, where she is looking after a new fold.
The reserve male followed in price order at 6000gns. That was Donald MacNaughton’s Douglas of Rannoch, a two-year-old red bull by Reich of Rannoch.

Shown by Bryon MacNaughton, this one and his dam have already amassed a heap of prizes. He was senior and reserve overall at the 2016 Stars of the Future Show, while his sister is a former junior champion. The dam, Skye 2 of Rannoch, is a former winner of the ‘International’ show in Glasgow.
Giving Mr MacNaughton his best price to date and taking advantage of a favourable exchange rate was long-time supporter of the breed, Falko Steinberg, for his 16-cow fold in Germany.
Valued at 4800gns was the non-prizewinner, Bratach 1 of Benmore, from Mrs Emma Paterson, Auchlyne, Killin, with stockman Jimmy Ogston at the helm. He is a red son of the private purchase Corneal 3 of Lagg out of Sguillin Og 57 of Benmore with Raymond Lund, auctioneer at Hawes market, operating on the ‘wrong’ side of the ring for his fold at East Clough, Cumbria.

Dearest of the older bulls was Gille Dubh 1 of West Edmondsley from L and L Braines, from Millfield, Sunderland, with Iain and Sheena Graham, Killochries, Kilmacolm, buying a bit of their own bloodlines back at 3500gns.
The Grahams bred the dam of this six-year-old black bull, Suisaidh Ruadh of Killochries, while the sire was Gille Dubh 2 of Craigowmill.
A full brother to a former Oban reserve female, which made 2000gns last October, got a second place and an income of 3200gns for Ron and Frances Fergie, Knockendon, Dalry, Ayrshire. Their Nero 2 of Knockendon is by James Beusach of An Sidhean and out of Nemanda of Knockendon. Ewan Cameron put the final nod in to take him home to Glen Nevis Farm, Fort William.
The third prize three-year-old, Ruadh Nero of Seam, from Simon Haley, Marland Lodge, Eccleston, Co Durham, was the dearest in that section making 3000gns to Michael and Sally Nairn, Balnabroich, Blairgowrie.
A former reserve male at the Great Yorkshire, he’s by Dugald of Rhudle and out of Neoinean Bhuidhe 27 of Achnacloich.
Another by the same sire from Mr Haley led the yearling section at 2000gns, with John and Jenne Singer, Kintore House, Auchenblae, buying one out of Diorbhail 2 of Cornsay Lodge.
Maureen MacArthur and John Ashton, from Newhouse, Heights of Inchvannie, Strathpeffer, took two of the top prices in the female section at 4000gns and 3200gns, respectively.
Leading the charge was their two-year-old heifer champion, Skye of Allanfearn, by Crusoe of Brue out of Caileag Bheag 25 of Callachally.

She was knocked down to German breeder, Hendrik Hoof.
Taken to 3200gns was their reserve female and leading three-year-old, Amber of Allanfearn, which is by Eilean Dubh of Craigowmill and out of the Crusoe daughter, Ruby of Allanfearn.

Buyer was David Howden, The Old Rectory, Luggers Hall, Aylesbury, who also paid the Nairns 2400gns for Ceit 1 of Balnabroich, the reserve two-year-old heifer, by Cliadhamh Mor of Balmoral and out of an Ashmore-bred dam.
Ken and Eva Brown, from Ledlanet, Kinross, had a great couple of days. Their black senior heifer, Isla Dubh 9 of Craigowmill, was the second top female at 3800gns, selling to Blingery Farms, collecting a second place along the way.

She’s bred from a strong dam line via Isla Dubh of Craigowmill and by the Austrian bull, Panther 2 of Vom Aignerhof. She’s due to An Curaidh of Balmoral.
Another second prize senior heifer – this time a red one – made 2600gns when selling to PA and SA Smith, Dovefield House, Peterchurch, Hereford. Dossan Og 2 of Craigowmill is by Fear Siridh of Balmoral and out of a dam line which goes back to Coirefuar. The service sire was Eilean Dubh 2 of Craigowmill.
The female champion was valued for export at 2200gns by Volker Hahn and Rudiger Lange. This was Sir William Lithgow’s senior heifer, Sidonia 12 of Ormsary, from Ormsary, Lochgilphead.

Brought out by Archie McArthur and Alan Bosomworth, she is a third champion by Callum of Goldenberry and is in calf to Ruaridh of Inver, a bull bred on Jura by the Lithgows.
The same buyers also paid 1600gns to buy the top yearling heifer, Jon and Queenie Strickland’s Magaidh 2 of Cladich, from Cladich Farms, Dalmally.

She’s by Whitelaw of Killochries and out of a Glengorm-bred dam.
The Fergies also hit 2200gns when selling Cassie Bhuidhe 5 of Cladich to Glenmassan Estate, Stonefield, Glenmassan, in Cowal. This second prize three-year-old is by Aonghas of An Sidhean.
A few minutes later Annie Perkins, from Warwickshire, paid 2000gns for Seud Ruadh 320 of Benmore from Mrs Patterson. This three-year-old is by Corneal of Lagg.
 The top young handlers (under 12) were, 1, and winner of the Thistle Fold Shield, Kate Cameron; 2, Jayden McLachlan. Senior class, 1, Kerrie MacGillivray; 2, Chloe Roberts; and 3, Rhuari Cameron.

averages:

10 two-year-old bulls, £4441.50; three three-year-old bulls, £2590.00; three yearling bulls, £1417.50. All males, £3536, up £1721 on last year. Seven senior heifers, £2100; 10 three-year-old heifers, £1554; nine two-year-old heifers, £1505; 18 yearling heifers, £824. All females, £1365, down £32 on last year.