Averages: Belted Galloways – 12 bulls, £2686.25 (-£638.75 for three more sold); 12 in-calf heifers, £1929.38 (-£485.62 for seven fewer); 22 bulling heifers, £1274.32 (-£382.98 for 15 fewer).

THE LOMOND herd belonging to Duncan and Vivien Maxwell proved their bulls to be a class act within the Belted Galloway scene, by producing the champion and top priced lot at the breed sale at Castle Douglas for the third year in succession.

Their show and sale leader this time at 6000gns was the 19-month-old, Lomond Tamnavulin, which was tapped out by judge George Somerville, who said the bull stood out for his good legs and width along the top.

The Maxwell's most recent winner comes from a successful line of previous top sellers, with his sire being the 10,500gns Speddoch Rocky, bought in 2014, while the dam is the Merrick Merlin-sired Laggish Mary. Lomond Tamnavulin sold to Hedgeley Estates in Northumberland who sell their Belted Galloway beef via Ginger Pig butchers to specialist restaurants in London.

The Maxwells also produced the third top priced lot at 3000gns with their similarly aged Lomond Bruichladdich, again by Speddoch Rocky purchased by Dartmoor breeder, Anton Coaker.

And, adding an international flair to the proceedings, German breeder Herr Saelzer went to the same money for JR and CJ Ward's Whitstonehill King Thistle, from Tundergarth, Lockerbie. This two-year-old bull is by Lomond Tobermory and out of the Mochrum Lochinvar-sired Whitstonehill Thumbelina.

With a strong selection of junior bulls forward, the second top price of 4500gns was paid for another from the same section in George Milroy's, Lipwood Machermore, from Mains of Machermore, Newton Stewart. This 19-month-old was bought as a calf at foot from Hexham breeder, ME Tailford and is by Barwise Jambo Habari and out of the Auchengassel Discovery-sired Braesteads Angel. Ian Bond, Glen, Gatehouse, forked out the cash for this entry for his Glen herd managed by Robert and Debbie McTaggart.

Northern Ireland breeder, Dessy Henry, Gruige, enjoyed a good day in the show and the sale ring too when his female champion, Gruige Holly, a 30-month-old entry which sold in calf to Shelsleys Mr Oak, went on to top her section at 3000gns. Holly is by Ballylough Barney Boy, out of Polbae Tess and found a new home in Hull with Paradise Farmers, Grangecroft, Wawne, Hull, who also bought the second prize heifer from David Bertie's Mochrum herd at Port William, managed by Helen Ryman. This was Mochrum Justy 8, a two-year-old by Maybeck Andrew out of a previous Justy by Mochrum Defender.

Glen Farm, Gatehouse, sold the second top priced heifer, Glen Gypsy, at 2400gns. This two-year-old heifer is by Lomond Laproaig – the reserve male champion here in 2014, purchaed for 5000gns – and out of Speddoch Monica. She sold served to Polbae Moonshine, to Glencrosh Farming, Moniaive, Thornhill.

The small entry of white Galloways was topped at 1400gns by the female champion, Bergere Bramble 11 from Messrs Trafford, Greysouthen, Cockermouth, purchased by Devon-based breeder Alison Bunning, Hatherland Mill.

Another victory - so to speak - was a surprise engagement in the cattle lines the evening before the sale, where German Belted Galloway breeder Rudiger asked Eike to marry him, and - she said yes - much to the delight of the 17 German breeders in attendance!

Auctioneers: Wallets Marts