BALTHAYOCK Minstrel from Major DFWH and NR Walter, Balthayock, Perth, stood supreme champion among the Charolais bulls at Stirling Bull Sales this afternoon. 

Brought out by Davie and Tracey Nicoll, this May 2016-born bull is by Balthayock Ferdinand, which has bred sons to 50,000gns. His dam, Balthayock Gem, an AI daughter of Barbican Lancer, bred this year's Royal Highland Show female champion. 

Balthayock also produced the reserve senior with Balthayock Mandate, a May 2016-born son of Maerdy Grenadier, which was male champion at the Highland in 2012 and the sire of this year's RHS female champion. He is out of Balthayock Gold which is a daughter of Swalesmoor Cracker. 

Reserve overall was the intermediate champion, Maerdy Montypython, an August 2016-born bull from Esmor Evans' Maerdy herd at Monfa, Mold, Wales. By the 10,000gns Blelack Fabulous, which has bred sons to 22,000gns and 28,000gns in 2015, Montypython is out of Maerdy Goddess. 

Runner up among the intermediate bulls was the Adam family's July 2016-born, Newhouse Maxamus. One of the first calves by the 26,000gns Maerdy Hearthrob, he is out of Newhouse Geisha.

In the junior section, champion was Hollywell Mojito from Northern Ireland breeders, John and Sandra Middleton from Upper Creevagh, Londonderry, Co Londonderry. An AI son of Thrunton Fairfax, he is out of Hollywell Harriet. 

Taking the reserve ticket in the juniors was Mark McGahan's Chunal Maverick from Hadfield, Glossop. He is by Harestone Hercules and out of Chunal Heather. 

The sale of 130 Charolais bulls tomorrow (Tuesday 20) will commence at 10:30am, followed by nine females.