Ampertaine Punch tops Carlisle Limousin sale at 35,000gns

At the same sale in 2019, the family of William and Jean McKay, son James and his wife Lynne, led the trade at 40,000gns, while last weekend, they came up trumps with a 35,000gns sale for the shapey Ampertaine Punch. A natural born calf got by AI, this 19-month-old boy is the first son of the Plumtree Fantastic-sired, Ampertaine Majestic – a bull that stood champion and sold for 35,000gns at the May 2018 sale here to Gareth Corrie, Newtownards.

Ampertaine Punch topped the trade at 35,000gns

The dam, Ampertaine Millie is also backed by home-bred genetics being a daughter of Ampertaine Jamboree, another big selling bull that made 45,000gns in 2015. Punch sold carrying a single copy of the easy calving F94L gene to Charlie Boden, buying for his Sportsmans herd from, Mellor Hall, Mellor, Stockport.

A further five bulls sold at or above the 10,000gns bracket at the breed society sale which saw just 60 bulls find new homes from the catalogued entry of 157.

Gorrycam Phantom made 24,000gns for Stephen Reel

Adding to the Irish celebrations, Co Down breeder, Stephen Reel, Cullyhanna, Newry, received 24,000gns for his sole entry, Gorrycam Phantom, an 18-month-old bull by Lodge Hamlet that combines the NT and QX gene yet is positive for calving.

This embryo calf, is bred from the Wilodge Cerberus daughter, Gorrycam Honey, a dam line that has produced a string of five-figure sales to include the 28,000gns Gorrycam Hunter and the 26,000gns Gorrycam Hazzard. He sold down to Wales with Messrs Lewis, Buttington, Welshpool.

Paco Procters made 18,000gns for Peredur and Llyr Hughes

Welsh father and son team, Peredur and Llyr Hughes, Llanbabo, Rhosgoch, took 18,000gns for the March 2019-born Pabo Procters, from Messrs Jenkinson, buying for their Whinfellpark herd from Clifton, Penrith. The breeding behind this big fella includes Derrygullinane Kingbull, which bred the 15,000gns Pabo Oldspice, here in February, onto the Sympa daughter Pabo Jympa which in turn was out of the foundation female Lowbarn Benlopa that has produced top bull sellers

Ian and Moyra Nimmo and son Andrew's Maraiscote herd from Newmains, Wishaw, had a cracking day with sales at 16,500gns and 9000gns for sons of the 50,000gns Bassingfield Machoman, a bull that bred last year's 11,500gns Maraiscote Oxford.

Maraiscote Pedro sold for 16,500gns

Dearest was the 18-month-old natural calf, Maraiscote Pedro, purchased by Patrick Greed, buying for the Killerton herd from Columbjohn, Rewe, Exeter. He is bred from the Virginia Andy-sired cow, Maraiscote Lavender.

Another from the Nimmos, Maraiscote Politician sold for 9000gns

The similarly aged Maraiscote Politician, a full brother to last year's reserve intermediate champion, Maraiscote Politician which made 8000gns, was knocked down for 9000gns to T and R Harper and Sons, South Mains, Skirling, Biggar. Another natural calf out of a Virginia Andy daughter, his dam is Maraiscote Intrigue.

Redriver Powerful made 14,000gns

Heading all the way up to Orkney with Messrs Baillie, Tankerness at 14,000gns was Redriver Powerful, an 18-month-old son of Lodge Hamlet, from JAD Hunter, Upper Brydekirk, Annan. He is out of the best cow in the herd, Redriver Gracie, a daughter of Haltcliffe BMW.

Selling for 11,000gns was Millgate Paul

Stirling breeders, Ian and Wendy Callion who own the Lodge herd from Bolfornought, went to 11,000gns for Millgate Paul, a July 2019-born entry from Michael and Jack Loughran, Dunamore, Cookstown, Northern Ireland. Home-bred genetics are on both sides of the equation here, with the sire being the Millgate Fame son, Millage Jack, onto the Swarland Eddie daughter, Millgate Ita.

Spittalton Partner made 8500gns

Top price for Andrew Burnett's Spittalton herd from Blairdrummond, Stirling, was 8500gns paid for Spittalton Partner. This April 2019-born entry is got by the AI sire, Dylans Irnbru which sold for 4800gns at the weaned calf sale in 2013, to the Kinniside herd and has since bred sons to 14,000gns. Messrs Millar and Partners, Crookholm, Canonbie, forked out the cash for this bull bred from the Spittalton Denzil daughter, Spittalton Hansy.

A bull carrying the double F94L gene proved popular for Bruce Goldie when his Goldies Port, from Townfoot, Mouswald, Dumfries, made 8000gns to Messrs Hartley, Holdgate, Much Wenlock, Shropshire. Port is by Kaprico Monarch and bred from the Ampertaine Foreman-sired Goldies Littlegem, which is a full sister to the 30,000gns Goldies Olympia and Goldies Owain.

Matching that price when selling to Messrs Pritchard, Pandy, Abergavenny, was John Murray's Haneve Pilot, from Glebe Farm, West Butsfield, Tow Law, Bishop Auckland. This similarly aged boy is by the AI sire, Dylans Irnbru and out of the Lodge Hamlet daughter, Haneve Lulu.

Average: 60 bulls, £6725.25 (+£905.87 for 23 fewer sold).

OTHERLEADING prices

7500gns – JK Hunter's Wedderburn Oochaboy, by Foxhillfarm Jenson, to Messrs Duncan, Keig, Alford; JA Murray's Haneve Prince, by Chytodden Conan, to Messrs Charlton, Haltwhistle, Northumberland; K McCrory's Bernish Platini, by Wilodge Cerberus, to Emslie Livestock, Peterhead; C Ridley's Haltcliffe Prism, by Aultside Meanmachine, to Messrs Cadzow, Pencaitland, Tranent, East Lothian.

6800gns – WJ and J McKay's Ampertaine Pathfinder, by Ampertaine Foreman, to Messrs Evans, Gelston, Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire.

6500gns – W Richardson and Son's Mystyle Oberon, by Carnew Lionheart, to Messrs Ward, Frosterley, Bishop Auckland, Co Durham; JH Neale and Son's Nealford Poldark, by Loosebeare Master, to Messrs Jones, Pewmafan, Gower, Swansea; IN Davidson and Son's Ballyrickard Prince, by Gleneagle Icon, to Messrs Jones Ltd, Betws-Y-Coed, Conwy, Gwynedd

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.