SOME 40 years of pedigree Limousin breeding came to an end at Newark last weekend when Messrs Smith of Bloxham dispersed their show winning Ironstone herd from Newlands, Bloxham, Banbury.

Overall, the 133 lots grossed £371,135 with the sale leader at 22,000gns selling to Scottish breeder, Robert Graham, buying for the Grahams herd at Bridge of Allan. This was the well known show cow, Ironstone Dumandy, a former double inter-breed winner at the Royal Welsh Show in 2012 and prolific winner of various major shows around the UK.

Bred from Bailea Umandy, a Requin daughter, she is by the herd’s former stock bull, Wilodge Vantastic and sold with Procters Commander-sired heifer calf, Ironstone Olivia, at foot.

Mr Graham also purchased Bailea Umelia, a 15-year-old cow for 7000gns. Another by Requin, she is out of Bailea Melia, an Imposant daughter and sold having run with the herd’s stock bull Ballinloan Jericho.

Commenting on his purchases Mr Graham said: “These animals are top bloodlines that don’t often come available. I very much hope that they will add to the quality of Limousin genetics in the Grahams herd. Both are cows with a proven record and are really good breeders.”

Another three lots sold at five figures, with the herd's stock bull, Ballinloan Jericho, a four-year-old son of Ampertaine Foreman, making 18,000gns to Danny Swarij, buying for his Swalesmoor herd based at Kedzlie Farm, Blainsie, Lauderdale. He was originally purchased for 10,000gns at Carlisle in 2015 from Stuart Fotheringham, and is out of Ballinloan Beauty, an Anside Struss daughter.

Just behind on 17,000gns and 14,000gns, Messrs Jenkinson bought Ironstone Lavender, and Ironstone Laura, respectively for their Whinfellpark herd at Clifton Moor, Clifton, Penrith.

The former, a 2015-born heifer by Wilodge Vantastic, is bred from the aforementioned Bailea Umelia and sold in calf to Ballinloan Jericho.

Ironstone Laura is a full ET sister to the sale leader and another 2015-born heifer which this time sold January 2018-bull calf at foot by Jericho, Ironstone Otis.

Following that, a 9500gns bid from HG Perkins and Son, Radstock, Bath, secured Ironstone Maxine, a 2016-born heifer by Ironstone Gandi. Maxine is out of Greenwell Emelia, a Vagabond daughter out of Greenwell Amy.

Kedzlie Farms were back in action, paying 8000gns for Ironstone Lumelia, a Procters Commander daughter out of the Requin daughter Bailea Umelia. She was sold having run with Jericho.

And, at 6000gns Mr Swarij bought the young bull, Ironstone MrMagoo, a Glenrock Fandango son out of the sale topping Ironstone Dumandy

The 12-year-old former Highland and Royal Show champion Brockhurst Batik, bred by Doug Mash, Bucks, also made 6000gns. A Grahams Samson daughter out of Ronick McAinsi, herself a Talent daughter, sold with bull calf, Ironstone Oliver, by Ironstone Gandi, to Dougie McBeath and Sarah-Jane Jessop, Stirling.

Two sold at 5500gns, with the first of these being Ironstone Lady, a Gorrycam Diarra daughter and another out of Greenwell Emelia. She changed hands with her first calf at foot, Ironstone Nathan, a Jerricho son and having run with Ironstone Leonardo, to GJ Morris, Llanstephan, Carmarthenshire.

Matching that bid was Ironstone Lindy, again out of Greenwell Emelia and by Ironstone Gandi. She was another to head home to Radstock, Bath, with HG Perkins and Son.

Averages: 47 cows and calves, £3323.48; 33 maiden heifers, £1784.47; five in-calf heifers, £1323; 17 yearling bulls £980.41; 19 cows, £3691.58; 12 stock bulls, £5218.54.

Auctioneers: Newark Livestock Sales.