Clifton Ace, a two-year-old bull from Ann Bell, proved the talk of the town at a Belted Galloway sale at Castle Douglas, having sold for the top price of 8000gns.

A packed ringside of socially distanced buyers saw demand grow with the event attracting a number of new breeders and, as a result, increased averages in most sections, albeit for fewer sold.

The sale leader was, though, unsold through the ring, but was later purchased by James Pritchard from Evistones Farm, Cleughbrae, Rochester. The bull from Ann Bell, Clifton, Southwick, Dumfries, is a son of Clifton Hercules which has bred many champions and out of the Mosston Muir Jaguar daughter, Broadmeadows Amy, that was bought at the herd dispersal with a calf at foot.

The Scottish Farmer:

The Maxwellls sold Lomond Craigellachie for 6500gns Ref:RH301020513

Duncan and Vivien Maxwell, and son, David, Blairvockie, Drymen, were also in the money when their 18-month-old bull, Lomond Craigellachie, made 6500gns to EM Waldie Contracting, North Callange, Cupar. He is by the 10,500gns Speddoch Rocky, which was their first stock bull purchased after standing champion at Castle Douglas.

Since then, Rocky has bred two champions and bulls to 6500gns and 6200gns. The dam, Laggish Kelly was the foundation female having being bought as a bulling heifer, and has since bred sons to 5200gns.

The Maxwells also sold an in-calf heifer at 3500gns to Paul Atkinson, Sweetwell, Briercliffe, Burnley. Lomond Flutter Shy is another by Speddoch Rocky, and out of the Downholland Johnston daughter, Solway Events, which bred an 8000gns champion here.

The Scottish Farmer:

The Keileys sold Croft Red Admiral for 4200gns Ref:RH301020518

The red and white bull, Croft Red Admiral, from David and Katie Keiley, and daughters, Mollie (13) and Daisy (11), Carton Croft, Dalbeattie, made 4200gns when selling to EJ Wilkinson, Craigs, Bailey, Bewcastle. The 22-month-old boasts three generations of red genetics being a son of Clifton Lochinvar, with the dam, Croft Jemima, going back to Cairnsmore Domino.

Two bulls made 3800gns, with the first being Waterloo Sexton from Northern Irish breeder, SJ Barry, Waterloo, Crosskeys Road, Ahogill. This January, 2019-born entry by Whitepool McCoy, is bred from the Castlemartin Admiral sired-cow, Ballylough Biddy Bo and sold to Debora Powell, Pard House.

Matching that price was Machermore Bonnie Lad, the first home-bred sold at auction from George Milroy, Mains of Machermore, Newton Stewart. This 21-month-old is by the AI sire, Clifton Hercules and out of Lipwood Tilly, which took reserve champion at both Wigtown and Dumfries shows in 2018. This bull heads out to work at Glenapp Farms, Ballantrae, Girvan, managed by Charlie Russell.

The Scottish Farmer:

Huntfield Uppy from J and Z Kirk sold for 6000gns Ref:RH301020511

First in the ring was Joe and Zan Kirk’s three-year-old cow and heifer calf from Low Kirkbride, Auldgirth, Dumfries, which topped the females at 6000gns. Huntfield Uppy is by the AI sire Barwise Jigsaw and out of Huntfield Good Friday, which goes back to Mochrum Kyle. Maternal sister to the 2015 Highland Show champion, Huntfield Opal, her heifer calf, Huntfield Yvette, is by Huntfield Sebastian. Forking out the cash were David and Katie Keiley, Carton Croft, Dalbeattie.

Briglands Tequilla, a bulling heifer, made 4000gns for Brian and Judith Moorhead, Brevellan House, Ballymoney, Co Antrim, selling to Paul Atkinson, Sweetwell, Burnley. She is by Woodbine Firecracker, which was purchased privately, and bred the reserve champion here last year, whilst the dam, Speddoch Poppy, goes back to Chapel Charlie.

Also on the same money was another bulling heifer from the Ward family, Whistonehill, Tundergarth, Lockerbie, which headed home with Frank McNally, Sixtowns Road, Northern Ireland. Whitstonehill Gysell is a daughter of Shelsleys Dylan, and out of Whitsonehill Flying Gypsy, which has bred bulls to 3000gns.

Selling at 3200gns was Larghill Virginia from father and son duo, Ian and Alisdair Marshall, Eastlands, Crocketford, Dumfries. This in-calf cow headed south with Evistones, Cleughbrae, Rochester. She is a daughter of Coulmony Cam, and out of Larghill Quatro, which is sired by Whitepool Neptune.

OTHER LEADING prices

Bulls – 3000gns – CM Ryders’s Scaifehall Hector, by Glen Elvis, to G and G Schofield, Heber Farm; JJ and N Adams’ Bigginvale Ragner, by Howe Mill Ranunculus, to L ONeil, Glen Brae, Ballymena; S McKay’s Broughton Banger, by Cairnsmore Fergus, to MJ Wentworth, Waites, Thornthwaite Hall, Brampton, Penrith.

Females – 3000gns – JR and CJ Ward’s Whitstonehill GYP, by Shelsleys Dylan, to HN Sloan, Burnfoot, Oxton, Lauder; IRS Bond’s Glen Imogen, by Lomond Laphroaig, to D MacGregor, Burnhead, Kilsyth, Glasgow.

Auctioneers: Wallets Marts.

averages: 12 bulls, £3692.50 (+£715.75 for two more); four in-calf cows, £2598.75; four in-calf heifers, £2625.00 (+£334.09 for seven fewer); 19 bulling heifers, £1873.42 (+£463.42 for nine less).