Greystone Sheriff marched his way to the top of the British Blue Society January show and sale, staged at Borderway Mart, Carlisle when selling for the top price of 14,000gns.

The March 2022-born bull from Alan and Graham Coates of Rainscar, near Stainforth, north of Settle, stood fourth in his class in the pre-sale show, which was judged by Rob Walker from the Brennand herd.

The Scottish Farmer: The pre-sale champion, Solway View Storm from Kevin Watret made 12,000gnsThe pre-sale champion, Solway View Storm from Kevin Watret made 12,000gns

A son of Bandit Van Het Lindeveld, he is out of Greystone Next, which goes back to Greystone Governor, and found a new home with Aucheneck Estates, Stirlingshire, managed by Campbell Graham.

Kevin Watret, Maulcastle, Annan, also had a field day claiming both the champion and reserve champion titles in the pre-sale show which went on to make 12,000gns and 10,000gns respectively.

The supreme, Solway View Storm, is a son of the triple crown-winning Solway View Kesha, which has bred bulls to 27,000gns and is sired by the famous Dafydd D’Ochain. This July 2022-born bull now travels to County Durham with Messrs Mitchell, Marwood, Barnard Castle, County Durham.

The latter was the 22-month-old bull Solway View Scobby Doo, brought out by stockman Ali Jackson. This one is a result of the sire Bedgebury Flat Out onto the Solway View Firecracker daughter, Solway View Katie, which is one of the best breeding cows in the herd. The final bidders were Messrs Shuttleworth, Kirkbean, Dumfries.

The Scottish Farmer: Kevin Watret also had the reserve champion with Solway View Scooby Doo which later made 10,000gns Kevin Watret also had the reserve champion with Solway View Scooby Doo which later made 10,000gns

Two bulls from Robert Paterson and family’s Auchenlay herd from Dunblane were next in the money at 10,000gns and 9500gns.

Firstly was the May 2022-born bull Auchenlay Somerled. Messrs Paton, Avonbridge, Falkirk, Stirlingshire, got for their money a son of Mountjoy Utopia, and the dam, Auchenlay Nippy Sweetie, goes back to Sandyvale Jagerbomb.

The Scottish Farmer: Auchenlay Somerled made 10,000gns for Robert Paterson Auchenlay Somerled made 10,000gns for Robert Paterson

Messrs Hedges of Robertsbridge, East Sussex, purchased the latter, Auchenlay Stirling. This third prized two-year-old bull is a son of Sandyvale Jagerbomb and bred from the Auchenlay Havoc daughter, Auchenlay Kali.

Another by the same sire, Auchenlay Skye, then made 6800gns when being knocked down to Nottingham Trent University, Southwell, Nottinghamshire.

The first prized bull, Stonebyres Samson from Blair and Shona Comrie, Stonebyres Mains, Stonebyres, Lanark, made 10,000gns. Having been shown successfully last summer, this May 2022-born bull is backed by home-bred genetics being sired by Stonebyres Ninja and bred from Stonebyres Gem, which goes back to Norbreck Black Beauty. Messrs Cruickshank took this first prized bull home to work in Elgin, Morayshire.

The Scottish Farmer: Blair and Shona Comrie's best, Stonebyres Samson achieved 10,000gns Blair and Shona Comrie's best, Stonebyres Samson achieved 10,000gns

Tipladys Rock On lived up to his name for Richard Tiplady, Red House Farm, Langleydale, Barnard Castle, when selling for 8000gns to Messrs Capstick, Skipton, North Yorkshire. Having stood fourth in his class, this December 2021-born bull is the result of the 12,000gns sire, Devine Optimist onto the dam Tiplady Nikita, which goes back to Tweeddale Ironman.

The female champion Clifftown Starburst led the heifer trade at 4500gns for Dylan Townend, Quarry, Broughton, Malton. This July 2022-born heifer is sired by Dafydd D’Ochain and out of Clifftown Ladyluck, which goes back to Tweeddale Ebony. She sold across the water to Messrs McGuinness, Londonderry, Northern Ireland.

Her full sister, Clifftown Sweet Cheeks, then made 4200gns when the hammer fell to Messrs Alderson and Son, Barnard Castle, County Durham, after she stood fourth in the pre-sale show.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.

Averages: 17 bulls, £7442.64 (+£922.14 for three fewer); six females, £3622.50 (-£3307.50 for one less)