Top quality bulls sold well at Aberdeen and Northern Marts' annual multi-breed show and sale which was staged alongside the Royal Northern Spring Show, at Thainstone, on Wednesday, when a Charolais led the trade at 9500gns and Limousins sold to 8000gns.

"There was plenty of buyers looking to buy correct bulls that were good on their legs," said John Angus, auctioneer and head of livestock at Aberdeen and Northern Marts, who pointed out that 69% of bulls forward found new homes, with 49 bulls cashing in at £4312.50.

Sale leader at 9500gns was the Charolais and supreme show champion, Bonnykelly Nominator, from Graeme and Mark Leggat, who run their herd at Mormond Prop, New Pitsligo. Securing a third supreme title here for the father and son team was a June, 2017-born bull by Gretnahouse Ivory, a 10,000gns stock bull bought at Carlisle after he had been reserve intermediate champion there – and which has since bred sons to 6000gns and 5800gns. He is out of Bonnykelly Freda, a Newhouse Challenger daughter and sold to J and W Kellas, Raws, Dufftown.

The Leggats also received 6800gns for Bonnykelly Nimrod, a similarly-aged son of Gretnahouse Ivory, out of Bonnykelly Heidi, another by Challenger and one of 25 cows in the herd. Nimrod and was purchased by FJ Keir, Newton of Carnavero, Alford.

Limousin bulls reached a top of 8000gns and 6500gns from Albert and George Howie, of the Knock herd at West Knock, Stuartfield, Peterhead.

Dearest was the champion Limousin, Knock Nelson, a 22-month-old son of Goldies Goldfinger – a bull purchased for 21,000gns that is still going strong at eight years of age having bred 40-plus bulls to average £6500. His dam is the black cow, Knock Glenisla, a Newhouse Billy-sired cow and sold Mackie family at Whiteside, Tullynessle, Alford.

William Moir who brought out the bull and has since purchased 54 Limousin females along with his brother, David, from the Howies, was also at the helm of the reserve Limousin champion, Knock Nickleback, which made 6500gns selling to A Mackay and Son, Strath Farm, Watten, Caithness. Another by Goldfinger, this April, 2017-born bull is out of Knock Flamboyant

Simmental bulls were topped at 6000gns for Tillyeve Invincible from the Bruce family at Tillyeve, Udny, Ellon. This 23-month-old son of Woodhall Ellison, out of Tillyeve Elissa, sold to George Wilson, Turtory, Bridge of Marnoch, Huntly.

Aberdeen-Angus bulls also hit 6000gns for the breed champion, Orbliston Jacobite, from Andrew Shepherd's 25-cow herd from Orbliston, Fochabers, looked after by Doug Lawrence. This rising two-year-old is by Ballindalloch Master Peter, a 6200gns purchase at Stirling that has bred sons to 3500gns, and out of Orbliston Jessica, a Blelack Blackbeard daughter. Jacobite headed home with AG Steel, Newton of Deershaw, Alvah, Banff.

Two bulls sold for 5500gns. This included the second prize Limousin from Michael Robertson and family, Easter Fodderletter, Tomintoul. Selling to John and Jean Henderson, Udale, Poyntzfield, Dingwall, was Fodderletter Nimrod, an August, 2017-born son of Spittalton Gold, out of Vaenol Gina, that was successfully shown last year.

Matching that price was the Stronach family’s Simmental champion, Islavale Ivan – a 24-month-old bull by Islavale Frontier, out of Islavale Viva. He sold to R and J Francis, Scotston, Insch.

Next best, at 5200gns, was the reserve Simmental champion from the Sutherland brothers at Connachie, Kellas, Elgin. Selling to Duncan McCallum, Shoreton, Culbokie, Dingwall, was Glenlossie Iceman, a 24-month-old son of Omorga Denman, out of Glenlossie Cassandra.

The reserve Charolais champion from AJR Farms, Milton of Collieston, Ellon, made 4800gns to M and I Steel, Wicker Inn, Banchory. This was Logiestate Neil, an April, 2017-born bull by Goldies Golddust, out of Craigieford Hermajesty brought out by brothers Andrew and James Reid.

Also selling at 4800gns was the third prize Limousin bull, Elrick Nebraska, from Mike Massie, Mains of Elrick, Auchnagatt, Ellon. Born in May, 2017, he is by Elrick Jethro, out of Elrick Centrefold – a dam which bred a bull for 14,000gns. The buyers were JS and HM Hamilton, Gordon, Harray, Orkney.

Three bulls hit 4500gns including Andrew Gammie’s first prize Charolais, Westpit Nevada. This May, 2017-born bull is by Balmyle Bollinger, out of Gretnahouse Eigg and sold to C Smith, Bogentassie, Lumphanan, Banchory.

Also making 4500gns was Elgin Navara from the Milne family, Kennieshillock, purchased by John Gordon, Wellheads, Huntly. He is by Woodpark Elgin, out of Elgin Ianthe.

The other at that price was Mike Massie’s second prize May, 2017-born Limousin, Elrick Nemesis, a son of Foxhillfarm Impecabull, out of Elrick Goldengirl. Nemesis headed home with PJ and I Stuart, Ledmacoy, Strathdon.

The reserve champion Aberdeen-Angus, also from Andrew Shepherd, Orbliston, made 3500gns. This was Orbliston Prince Cooley which sold to AG Steel, Newton of Deershaw, Alvah, Banff.

Salers were topped at 3000gns by Terence Pye's Rigel Mungo from Rigel Pedigree at Middleton on Leven, Yarm, purchased by JB Smith, Knockhourn, Knockando, Aberlour.

And, Sarah Balfour's any other breed champion, the British Blue bull Fodderletter Mister Tom, from Easter Fodderletter, Tomintoul, made 3000gns to James Mackay, Home Farm, Aberlour.

Averages: Seven Aberdeen-Angus, £3735.00; 16 Charolais, £4462.50; 12 Limousin, £4830.00; 10 Simmentals, £4410.00; five any other breeds, £3130.00.

Auctioneers: Aberdeen and Northern Marts