Lincoln Reds came out on top at the multi-breed sale at Melton Mowbray Market, when realising 8000gns and 7500gns, both coming from Ed Middleton’s Holegate herd, Moat, Ashby by Partney, Spilsby, Lincolnshire.

Dearest of the two was Holegate Yogi, a January 2019 born bull by Auchmacoy Unwin and out of Donington Jessie V12, which was the inter-breed champion at the Royal Welsh Show in 2018. He headed home with Michael Read for his Hemingby herd in Lincolnshire.

Not far behind and selling for 7500gns to Jonathan and Elaine Bradley’s Holthead herd in West Yorkshire, was Holegate Yeti, a similarly aged bull. Picking up the champion in the pre-sale show, this one is a son of Highbarn Thunderbolt and out of Donington Jessie V3.

Top priced female at 2100gns among the Lincoln Reds was Springwood Hazel, a maiden heifer from Julie Evans, Springwood herd, Leicestershire. She is a daughter of St Fort Texas, out of Springwood Hazel T102, and now heads home with Jamie Quinn and Sue Oliver’s Axholme herd, North Lincolnshire.

Rigel Old Spice rose to the heat among the Salers when he realised 3666gns for Terence and Jane Pye of the Rigel herd, Leven fields, Middleton on Leven, Yarm.

This June 2019 born bull is one of only two sons of Byron left in the Rigel herd, and the dam, Rigel Paprika goes back to Casimir. Taking this boy home was D Barton, Middle Duntisbourne, Gloucester.

This Saler bull, Rigel O’Toole Blk sold for 3200gns

This Saler bull, Rigel O’Toole Blk sold for 3200gns

In total just 14 Salers exchanged hands, cashing in at £1914, achieving a 88% clearance rate.

Another from the same home, Rigel O’Toole Blk picked up the blue and white sash before selling for 3200gns to W Bothwell, Stretton, Rutland. This similarly aged born bull is sired by Lascaux, a grandson of Variegeois, and out of Rigel Tulette Blk Poll.

The overall champion was tapped out to the February 2019 bull, Approach Farm Oak from Angus Gowthorpe, Approach. He is a son of Seawell Lithium, out of Approach Farm Kara, and was knocked down for 3000gns to AF and R Stannage, Tilton on the Hill, Leicester.

Manor Lane Orchid led the Salers females at 2700gns for Carolyn Fox, Manor View, Dry Doddington. A Manor Lane Krypton daughter, out of Manor Lane Hop and is PD’d in-calf Manor Lane Napoleon. She now travels to Norfolk with Brian Jones, Diss.

LEADING awards

Salers – Bulls – 1 and overall champion, Approach Farm Oak, Angus Gowthorpe; 2, and reserve champion, Rigel O’Toole Blk, Rigel Pedigree; 3, Rigel Old Spice, Rigel Pedigree.

Females – 1, Manor Lane Orchid, Carolyn Fox; 2, Manor Lane Poppy Blk, Carolyn Fox; 3, Green’s Park Perdita, C B Farms; 4, Green’s Park Phillipa, C B Farms.

Production females – 1, pen of four Malcolm Light, Ashbury Saler; 2, pen of five Mark Howkins, Peggy Salers.

averages: Lincoln Reds – six bulls, £5198; five females,

£1806; 14 Salers, £1914.