Young heifers from Anthony Grimshaw's Carldanton Holstein herd from Bolton, proved the star attraction at the September Border and Lakeland Club sale at Carlisle, securing the majority of lead prices.

Included in this line-up was the sale leader at 5500gns, Carldanton Sidekick Adeen, an eight-month-old heifer by Walnutlawn Sidekick, bred from the show cow, Carldanton Brokaw Adeen that stood third at the UK Dairy Expo and who's Goldwyn sister was top seller at the Holmland dispersal at 14,500gns in 2012. A grand-daughter of the Ex92-2E SP cow, Lavenham Adeen, she sold to Scott Forsyth, Baltier, Whithorn.

Mr Grimshaw's favourite heifer, Carldanton Stronger Mahogany Red, a 10-month-old daughter of Carldanton Reflection Mahogany Ex90 bred from 10 successive generations of Excellent cows from the Roxy family, realised 4000gns. She is by Lesperron Stronger, and was knocked down to Northern Ireland breeder Colin Irwin, Armagh.

Next best at 2600gns was the yearling heifer, Carldanton Kingboy Adeen 2, another from the Adeen family by Kingboy and from a Mardi Gras dam sister to Carldanton Brokaw Adeen. She headed home with Robert Steel, Kepculloch, Balfron.

Two Carldanton heifers sold for 2500gns to include Lambda Ashlyn, a 10-month-old by Farnear Delta-Lambda that goes back to the Tri-Day Ashlyn cow family. Messrs Horsley, Catterlen, were the final bidders buying for the Woodcatt herd from near Penrith.

Also selling for 2500gns was the youngest calf from the group, Carldanton Diamondback Lili, a seven-month-old heifer bred from a VG86 Awesome Red, that goes back to the Ex94 5E 6* cow, Thiersant Lili Starbuck EX94. She is by Mr D Apple Diamondback and sold in a two-way split to Lancs breeders, William Oldfield and Tom Riley from Gisburn and Heath Charnock, respectively.

The club sale saw no fewer than 31 animals change hands at or above the £2000 mark and to a top of 3200gns for the pre-sale champion from professional cattle photographer, Jane Steel, Kepculloch, Balfron.

Her sale leader, Lomand Asher Tory was bred from a VG88 Atwood that won the same event in October 2017. She sold to Robbie Scott buying for the Nethervalley herd from Mossblown, Ayr. The Lomand herd sold three to average £2660.

The reserve champion, Aytonian Annie, bred from four generations of Ex cows, from Martin Petch, sold next at 2600gns to Messrs Hodge, Tarbolton, Ayr. Annie had been classified VG85 just a few days fresh with her dam by Dorcy scoring Excellent the same day. Another five heifers from this home sold to average £2152.

Six heifers from the Davidson's Errolston herd from Gretna averaged £2079 with their best making 2400gns to the Caldwell family from Maybole in Ayrshire. Errolston Superstar Ricki, by De-Su AltaSuperstar and bred from an AltaIota dam is followed by an Ex91 Damion which is a full sister to the show winning Excellent 96 Damion Ricki.

Balcurvie Holsteins from Fife sold 13 milky heifers to a top of 2200gns for Balcurvie Jareb Bee purchased by Mr Haston from Maryport.

There was a well-grown group of heifers from Gregor Colquhoun and family from Angus. They sold to a top of 1150gns to average £1113.