Averages: Eight bulls, £3294.38; 11 females, £1227.55.

An extremely selective trade for pedigree bulls sold as part of the Aberdeen Christmas Classic, at Thainstone on Tuesday, saw just eight of the 20 bulls forward find new homes.

It was nevertheless a good day for first time consignor, Andrew Burnett, from Upper Spittalton, Blair Drummond, who not only produced the Limousin champion, but also the top priced bull at 4600gns, in Spittalton Oban. This ET-bred 22-month-old bull brought out by stockman Tim Russell, is bred from a flush from Spittalton Gerti, a Haltcliffe Vermount daughter, he is by the AI sire, Ampertaine Gigolo and sold to Ballintomb Farms, Dulnain Bridge, Grantown on Spey.

Despite the disappointing trade, history was nevertheless made in that a British Blue bagged the overall championship for the first time at this mult-breed event. This was Garry Patterson's Aultmore Neptune, a similarly aged entry from the small herd which runs alongside pedigree Limousins and Simmentals at Upper Forgie, Keith. Another 22-month-old, this black and white is by Bluegrass Cyclone, out of Aultmore Honey and sold for 3600gns to D Whyte, Hindstones, New Aberdour, Fraserburgh.

At 3400gns, Ian Murray's similarly aged Murrays Oscar, a Limousin by Lodge Hamlet son from Doonby, Glassel, Banchory, sold to D and A Bruce, Dorsell, Alford. The dam is Walers Berisienne.

Next at 3000gns was the champion Simmental, Brian and Stuart Grant's Dellfield Incredible, a 25-month-old son of Aultmore Gambler, purchased by D and P Petrie, West Maldron, Torphins, Banchory.

Auctioneers: Aberdeen and Northern Marts.