Special January Show & Sale 2024
Blue bulls met an exceptionally strong demand when the British Blue Cattle Society’s offering at Harrison and Hetherington’s Carlisle centre on Friday, 19 January, welcomed no fewer than five five-figure prices.
Leading the way at 14,000gns was Greystone Sheriff, a 22-month-old from Alan and Graham Coates from Stainforth, Settle. Sired by the imported Bandit Van Het Lindeveld, his female line is full of breeding being out of the Greystone Governor-sired Greystone Next. Forking out the cash was the team at Aucheneck Estates who will put him to work in the herd near Stirling.
Greystone Sheriff - 14,000gns
There were double celebrations for Kevin Watret and stockman, Ali Jackson, when judge of the pre-sale show, Rob Walker, of the Brennand Herd, awarded the Supreme Champion and Reserve tickets to a duo that went on to realise 12,000gns and 10,000gns.
Solway View Storm - Overall Champion - 12,000gns
Dearest when knocked down to JE and AJ Mitchell, Marwood, Barnard Castle, was the Champion, the February, 2023-born Solway View Storm, whose breeding needs no introduction – Dafydd D’Ochain on to Solway View Kesha, a Solway View Firecracker daughter that has bred bulls to 27,000gns and heifers to 11,000gns for the Annan-based herd.
Solway View Scooby Doo - Reserve Champion - 10,000gns
Two lots later, the Bedgebury Flat Out-sired Solway View Scobby Doo which stood second in his class to Storm and followed him all the way to take the Reserve Championship, sold to L and N Shuttleworth, Kirkbean, Dumfries, for 10,000gns. His dam, a full sister to Kesha named Solway View Katie, is another outstanding breeder with many five-figure sum progeny.
Auchenlay Somerled - 10,000gns
Keeping the good trade going, two more made 10,000gns apiece including Auchenlay Somerled from Robert, Maimie and Rab Paterson, from near Dunblane. Born in May, 2022, out of the former show heifer, the Sandyvale Jagerbomb-sired Auchenlay Nippy Sweetie, this Mountjoy Utopia son sold back north to near Avonbridge, Falkrik, with A and R Paton.
The Patersons welcomed a further 9500gns for the Sandyvale Jagerbomb-sired Auchenlay Stirling. Heading all the way to Robertsbridge, East Sussex, with NC and C Hedges, he is out of Auchenlay Kali, herself by Auchenlay Havoc.
Stonebyres Samson - 10,000gns
The other bull at 10,000gns was Blair and Shona Comrie’s Stonebyres Samson, another full of home breeding being by Stonebyres Ninja and out of Stonebyres Gem, herself a Norbreck Black Beauty daughter from the Lanarkshire herd. This first prize winner from the junior bull class caught the eye of JA Cruickshank and goes to work near Elgin.
Clifftown Starburst - Female Champion - 4500gns
Females met a more selective trade and it was a pair of 18-month-old full embryo sisters from Dylan Townend, Broughton, Malton, that led the way at 4500gns and 4200gns. They are also by the renowned Dafydd D’Ochain while their dam, Clifftown Ladyluck, is by Tweeddale Ebony.
Clifftown Sweet Cheeks - 4200gns
Clifftown Starburst sold across the water to Oliver McGuinness, Londonderry, for that 4500gns while Clifftown Sweet Cheeks, which stood Female Champion at the pre-sale show, sold to HW and MA Alderson and Son, Barnard Castle, for 4200gns.
Littlebank Sammy - Reserve Female Champion - 3500gns
Hitting 3500gns when knocked down to Robert Orr and Son, Bathgate, West Lothian, was Littlebank Sammy from HR & WJ Maudsley. This one was from the Dymond Blue Novak/Littlebank Opel flush.
Averages: 17 bulls, £7443; six females, £3623.
Auctioneers: Harrison & Hetherington
