ONLY the best bulls found new homes at a select show and sale of pedigree and commercial British Blues at Beeston Auction Mart, last weekend, where the champion, Almeley Mahela topped the sale at 4000gns.

The event, which attracted a pedigree entry of 12 bulls and eight females and 43 commercial cattle, was led by Herefordshire breeder, Graham Morgan's July 2017-born bull, Almeley Mahela from Cindermill, Tillington. Mainly black, this Pinnacle Hero son, is out of the Arlequin Du Pre Rosine daughter, Almely Jinny, and sold to Gareth Rowlands, Anglesey.

Second top price amongst the bulls was 3400gns paid for AS Phillips and Sons' Drift Major, a rising two-year-old ET-bred entry from Ashampstead, Reading. He is bred from the Drift Domino daughter, Drift Issie, and sired by the Belgian bull, Phenomene De Martinpre. The buyer was Owain LLyr, Ruthin.

Superceding that bid was the lead priced female at 3600gns from Gail and David Ellis, from St Ives, Cornwall. Their Trencrom Malibu, a daughter of Ballydangan Hectare, out of the New Close Colonel-sired Galway Girl, headed home to Oswestry, with CW Roberts.

The Ellis' also picked up the female championship with Trencrom Minty, a rising two-year-old white heifer by Coolbanagher Ivor, out of Penfro Freda, which made 3250gns to D Halligan, Yorkshire.

Trade was hesitant in the commercial section given the beef trade at present, with prices peaking at £1500 for a May-born heifer from T Roberts, Gors Wen, Carmel, Llanrwst, that stood first in her class at the pre-sale show. She was purchased by K Allen, Castleton.

The same home also received £1280 from MJ Williams, Llanymynech, for a nine-month-old heifer.

Averages – Pedigree – Bulls, £3069.00; females, £2703.75. Commercial cattle – Steers, £985.38; heifers, £1031.76. Cows with calves, £1466.67.

Auctioneers: Wright-Marshall