A STRONG demand for all classes of pedigree Limousins was witnessed at an inaugural society sale at Melton Mowbray, last weekend, where 93% of the lots forward found new homes with prices peaking at 6000gns on three occasions.

The new society sale, held in a joint venture by North West Auctions and Melton Mowbray Market, saw a packed ringside and was hailed a huge success by Paul Gentry of NWA: “This was a great first joint venture sale with Melton Mowbray and both myself and Hugh Brown of Melton Mowbray would like to thank the vendors for their support of this sale and consigning such a high standard of cattle.”

First to hit 6000gns was a well-travelled bull from the Quick family’s Loosebeare herd, Devon. This was Loosebeare Nibbler, a son of Ampertaine Jeronimo, out of the Aghadolgan Emperor daughter, Loosebeare Jilly. He goes back to both Sympa and Wilodge Vantastic, and was the pick of Napper Farms, West Hagbourn, Oxfordshire.

Brockhurst Nosferatu from the Mash family, Buckinghamshire also made 6000gns. This ET entry is a son of Wilodge Vantastic, bred from Brockhurst Bolshoi, a Grahams Samson daughter from the top breeding female, Ronick McAinsi. A full brother to the 24,000gns Brockhurst Howzat, Nosferatu sold to Will Ketley, Toppesfield, Essex.

Another from the same stable, Brockhurst Neuf, made 5500gns. A son of Ardglasson Highlander, out of Brockhurst Hotstuff, a dam going back to the French cow Segala, this senior entry was knocked down to Lowesby Estate, Lowesby, Leicestershire.

Brockhurst also enjoyed a good day amongst the females selling the third highest priced lot in this section at 4200gns. Brockhurst Magnum, an in-calf heifer by Brockhurst Indemand, is out of Brockhurst Idolise, a Netherhall Chancer daughter. She sold due to Newroddige Jetset and headed home to the Turville herd of HB and LJ Lear, Creslow Manor, Whitchurch, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.

Another from the same home, Brockhurst Maple, a Talent daughter then sold at 4000gns. She is out of Millington Fancied, a Mas Du Clo daughter, changed hands in calf to Brockhurst Limelight and was knocked down to the Lukeroyal herd of Mel and Diane Lucas, Antrim, Northern Ireland.

Top price amongst the females was 6000gns paid for the champion female and supreme overall, Frogmore Nevada, from Chris White, Gloucestershire. Sired by the 140,000gns Trueman Jagger, this rising two-year-old is out of the 9000gns Miscombe Gamble, an Oxygene daughter and was purchased by William Tomlinson, who runs the Tomlinson pedigree herd at Springfield House, Treswell, Retford, Notts.

A cow and calf outfit grossed 5000gns when Messrs Lee and Lloyd, Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire, sold Ampertaine Irishgirl and her heifer calf Calogale Ola, a Sarkley Moray daughter. Irishgirl herself is by Ampertaine Elgin and out of the Wilodge Cerberus daughter Ampertaine Gem. The pair sold to LJ Stamper, Bromswold, Cambridgeshire.

Back amongst the bulls and another sold at 5500gns. This was Hollingreave Noble from S Littlewood, Hollingreave House Farm, Ray Gate, Newmill, Huddersfield. He is by the 23,000gns Goldies Fandango, out of Tweeddale Demi, a Sympa daughter and found a new home with J Bottesch, Holwell, Hertfordshire.

Averages: 13 bulls, £4635.15; 63 maiden heifers, £1521.33; 28 in-calf heifers, £2184.38; 24 cows, £2261.88.