IT doesn't happen often but a black Limousin has secured the supreme championship at today's Stirling Bull Sales. 

Landing the championship was Goldies Black Manhattan from Bruce Goldie's black and red herd from Townfoot, Dumfries. He is full of home-bred genetics, being by the Wilodge Vantastic-sired Goldies Fortress, which has bred bulls to 20,000gns, and out of Goldies Dalmation, herself a daughter of Goldies Terence. 

"He's a very correct bull with meat in all the right places," said judge Ian Nimmo, of the Maraiscote herd at Bogside, Newmains, Wishaw. "He's got good clean lines, is very flashy with a good head and a great topline."

Tapped forward into reserve supreme spot was the junior champion, Homebyres Mercer from John Logan, of Humebyres, Kelso. This son of the 6000gns Westpit Highlander is out of Homebyres Dollie, a Homebyres Arnott daughter. 

Taking the reserve ticket in the senior section was Doug and Lynda Graham's Burnbank Major, a Haltcliffe Vermount son bred from the Ronick Hawk-sired Burnbank Undone. Reserve junior was John Allen's Derg Master, a Trueman Impressario son out of Derg Avon, by Kype Spartacus. 

Among the intermediates it was Jimmy MacGregor's Dyke MacBeth that lifted the tri-colour. He is by Netherhall Gilbert and out of Dyke Florette, a Cappaduff Aaron daughter. Reserve here was Paul Dawes' Dinmore Meatloaf, a Diamant son bred from the Vantastic-sired Dinmore Glorious. 

The sale of Limousins will start at 3.30pm with bulls (77 after inspection) and females (8).