A disappointing trade for the Beef Shorthorn breed saw only 58% of the bulls forward finding new homes and only 14 heifers out of a catalogued entry of 52 changing hands.

Admittedly, last year's bull event was a flyer, with a lead bid of 20,000gns and a further four five-figure transactions, while the sale on Monday was a much more lack-lustre affair with just two bulls at or above the magical 10,000gns mark at 15,000gns and 13,000gns, which as a result saw averages fall £1127 on the year to level at £4676 for 41. This compares to the 2018 event when 59 bulls balanced out at £5803.

Breed secretary, Jo Bailey, did however remain upbeat. "There is still a strong demand for functional Beef Shorthorn suckler cow for low input systems. Bull sales were back today, but we had an extremely good sale last year and our membership remains strong and is still growing at 915. Some 84 new members joined the society last year," she said.

It was nevertheless a good day for Charles and Sally Horrell and son Harry's Podehole herd from Peterborough, who produced two of the top six winners to include the overall champion which went on to lead the sale at 15,000gns.

Their show stopper, Podehole Landmark, an April 2017-born roan bull, was a regular prize winner at events last year, and is the first son sold off Knockenjig Hercules – a bull bought privately from David and Rosemary Dickie, after standing junior champion at the Highland. Junior and overall champion, this stylish boy is bred from the Podehole Yeti daughter, Podehole Phantasy Aurora, a GP83-classified cow that was the dam of the 9000gns Podehole Fenman. Landmark was knocked down to Gates Farming, Rosemore Manor, Coldoverton.

Podehole also scooped the red, white and blue sash amongst the seniors with Podehole Lincoln, another by the Hercules, brought out by stockman Roy McDonald. Junior champion at the South of England Show, last year, this all red bull is out of the Chapelton Promoter-sired Podehole Gypsy Delores, a VG87-classified cow and one of 55 in the herd. Forfar breeder, MG Bailey, Craigeassie, was the final bidder.

Gerald Turton's Upsall herd from York, managed by George and Maureen McCulloch, was another in the money with bull sales at 13,000gns and 8000gns, with their three bulls cashing in at £9100.

Dearest was Leonard of Upsall, the reserve senior champion, purchased by David and Rosemary Dickie buying for their Knockenjig herd from Sanquhar. Champion and honourary reserve inter-breed at Stokesley, this polled roan which also scooped the inter-breed male title at Eggleston, is by the nine-year-old stock bull, Dingo of Upsall. The dam, Augusta X822 of Upsall, an Ex92-classified female by Cougar of Upsall, also bred the 9500gns Hussar of Upsall which sold to the Glenarm herd.

Lawyer of Upsall, another polled bull this time by the AI sire, Fearn Elmer, lifted the reserve intermediate honours for the herd and sold for 8000gns to SS Horton, Poulton Fields, Cirencester, Glos. Previously unshown, he is out of Tessa X930 of Upsall, a VG86-classified cow by Belmore Patriach.

Top price of Major John Gibb and his daughter Catriona's Glenisla herd from Blairgowrie, was 9000gns for Glenisla Lochan Dubh, by Charles Lowther buying for the 70-cow Lowther herd based at Nord Vue Farms, Penrith. Unplaced at the pre-sale show, this April 2017-born polled roan, is backed by home-bred genetics on both sides being sired by Glenisla Jack Frost, a Glenisla Excalibur son, and bred from Glenisla Sally Broadhooks VG88, a Flight Lieutenant of Upsall-sired cow.

Carey Coombs' second prize winner in the same class, Dunsyre Lancelot, a polled roan from Weston, Dunsyre, Carnwath, sold next at 7500gns. He is by Redhill Ferny, a bull bought privately from his breeder Brenda Wear as a calf, and out of Dunsyre Hyacinth 12, a VG86-classified cow by Oldglenort Ury Motivator. Lancelot headed home with Coupar Angus producer, Robert Morris, Over Buttergask.

Having topped the female trade at 6000gns, Donald Biggar and sons Jamie and Duncan, who own the Chapelton herd at Grange, Castle Douglas, rounded off a good day with a 5500gns sale for their reserve junior champion, Chapelton Lancer. Junior champion at the Highland, last year, this April 2017-born roan poll brought out by stockman James Rae, is by the 9000gns stockbull, Fergus of Upsall and out of Chapelton Crocus, a Cavans Crocus daughter. Richard Bartle, stockman for Paul Dawes, who owns the Dinmore pedigree Limousin herd at Kipperknowle, Dinmore, Herefordshire, was the last man in.