EDENHURST Leader proved to be just that when he made his way to the top of the supreme Charolais championship at United Auctions' Stirling Bull Sales earlier today.

Consigned by Jemma and Sandy Forrest, who were showing at Stirling for just the second time, Leader was bred by Peter Vasey and bought at the Edenhurst dispersal with his surrogate mother. Sired by Sandelford Harrison and out of the Doonally New-sired Edenhurst Delight, Leader stood reserve champion to a herd mate during the summer show season for the duo's five-cow Ladygill herd at Hillend, Roberton, Biggar.

"I think he's just the right kind of bull for the modern market - he's very correct, not overfat, easy fleshed and smooth throughout with a good bit of breed character," judge Chris Curry, who runs the 40-strong Burradon herd near Thropton, Morpeth, commented.

Following Leader all the way through from the senior championship to stand reserve supreme was Gretnahouse Lord from Alasdair Houston, Gretna House, Gretna Green. Brought out by John Morton to achieve a best show result at Stirling to date, Lord is by Balthayock Gladiator and out of the Major-sired Gretnahouse Coll.

In the intermediate section it was Battleford Laser ET from Bartley Finnegan and son, also Bartley, from Grange Road, Moy, Dungannon, Co Tyrone, that took the top title. He is by the AI sire Lochend Apache and out of Blelack Usp, a Thrunton Socrates daughter.

Taking the reserve intermediate title was Elgin Lampard from the Milne family at Kerryshillock, Lhanbryde, Elgin. The breeding here includes Cayelrs Gladiator on to Elgin Fiona, by Esgob Deano.

The junior title went to Esmor Evans' Maerdy Llanwern, an AI son of Hambourg R bred out of the Vald'or-ra-sired Maerdy Gertie from the herd at Monfa, Gwernaffield Road, Mold.

Reserve here was Coolnaslee Lofty from G Crawford, Tamneymartin Road, Maghera, Co Londonderry, He is by Maerdy Fiend and oulrt of the Goldies Carnival daughter, Coolnaslee Helena.

Charolais bulls and females will go under the hammer tomorrow (Tuesday) and full reports, pictures, leading awards and averages for both the Simmental and Charolais breeds will feature in the February 25 issue of The Scottish Farmer.