A cracking show of Charolais backed by growing demand produced a record breaking trade at Dungannon for the Northern Ireland Charolais Club Autumn sale, where bidding peaked at 8000gns in both the male and female sections.

Aberdeenshire beef cattle showman, Blair Duffton, Huntly, bought the 8000gns female which in turn set a new centre record for a Charolais female. This was the pre-sale section champion, Battleford Lola ET, from Bartley Finnegan, Moy, Co Tyrone, which changed hands in calf to Blelack Immaculate. Lola is by Lochend Apache while her dam Blelack Usp, is a daughter of the 25,000gns Thrunton Socrates.

Next amongst the females at 5000gns and selling to Clare Ferris, Millisle, Co Down, was Adrian Richardson's 19-month-old class winner Hillviewfarm Margo, from Maguiresbridge, Co Fermanagh. Margo is by Blelack Digger and out of Hillviewfarm Gina which goes back to Killadeas Jack.

Leading the bull bids was Caldwell McAskie's May-2016-born Mountjoy Morgan, from Mountjoy, Co Tyrone, which sold for 8000gns. A son of the former Royal Welsh reserve male champion, Montgomery Ianto, out of Mountjoy Ultra which goes back to Gaer Positive, he goes out to work in Derryhouse, Co Armagh, having been purchased by Messrs McGinnity.

The supreme, male and senior champion Coolnaslee Martin, sold next at 6000gns, for Jonathan Crawford, Maghera, Co Derry. Brought out by herd manager, Stuart Wilson, the 17-month-old Martin, which was snapped up by Seamus Conroy, Tassagh, Co Armagh, is by the 10,000gns Ratoary Icebreaker, and bred from Coolnaslee Gina, by Goldies Carnival.

Another from Mr Crawford sold for 4400gns. Coolnaslee Max a June-2016-born son of Ratoary Icebreaker sold to S Windrum, Ballygowan, Co Down.

Commanding a 5200gns bid from the Rogers Family, Ballynahinch, Co Down, was the reserve senior male champion Sandelford Mason from George Henderson, Revallagh, Co Antrim. This 17-month-old is by the 13,000gns Conval Frank and out of Sandelford Fern, a daughter of the 14,000gns Goldies Usher.

At 5000gns, Liam Johnston from Tempo, Co Fermanagh sold Mountain Magnificent, to Messrs McKeagney, Maghera, Co Derry. Third in his class at the pre-sale show, this 16-month-old is by Derrygiff Jester.

Averages: 26 bulls, £3428.65; 14 heifers £2902.50.

Auctioneers: Dungannon Farmers Mart