October 25, 2023 Stirling Sale 23rd October 2023

Thistle Stings The Rest as he Takes Top Price

Judge: Mr David Bothwell

Shadow Judge: Sean Mitchell

Auctioneers: United Auctions

The day began with an excellent show of Charolais on Monday 23^rd October, all expertly judged by David Bothwell of the Killadeas herd, alongside his shadow Judge Sean Mitchell of Huttonend herd. The sale followed in the afternoon with a packed ring overseeing 65 bulls sold to an 71% clearance rate. The top price climbed to 50,000gns, which is up 22,000gns on last year’s top price, and the average held strong at £8,253, up £654 on last year’s October bull sale.

Commenting on the sale, our Chairman Andrew Sellick said, “A strong commercial trade underpinned a solid sale for the Charolais breed, along with a good level of demand for the pick of the breeders bulls resulted in an average that was up £654 on the year and further evidence the Charolais is delivering for the commercial producer.”

Following on from the bull sale, 10 females were sold, with one cow and calf, and a draft of heifers from the Caithness herd.

Coming in at the top price of 50,000gns was the impressive 17-month-old Barnsford Thistle from T & S Gatherer’s Barnsford herd in Renfrewshire. Thistle had already achieved Reserve Junior Male Champion at the Royal Highland Show earlier this year and had repeat success as the day’s Reserve Junior Champion. His sire is the 17,000gns bull, Elgin Jagger, and his dam, Alwent Broom, had previously won Champion of Champions & Pedigree Beef Champion at Houston Show in 2019, having been sired by Elrick Uranium. Thistle was purchased by Mr Tims and Mr Ingils on behalf of the Wensleydale herd.

Close behind at 30,000gns was the day’s Overall Male Champion and Senior Champion, Silvermere Tsunami. This 20-month-old bull was bred by Miss M T Hanson of the Silvermere herd, Banffshire, and bought in joint-ownership by Boden & Davies of Sportsmans herd, Cheshire, and Mr Sawrij of Swalesmoor herd. Tsunami was sired by the 16,000gns AI bull, Clyth Diplomat, and his dam, Silvermere Ocala, goes back to Scalehouses Humphrey.

The next highest price was 22,000gns, secured by 16-month-old, Silvermere Tesla. Also from Miss M T Hanson, this promising bull was sired by former Bath & West Champion, Balbithan Napoleon. Telsa’s dam, Marne Jojo was sired by Lochend Apache, and had a string of success of herself, including Class Winner, Female Champion, Breed Champion, Reserve Champion Continental Beef Animal & Reserve Champion Beef Animal at Devon County Show 2016. This bull will be going home with Mr McCaffrey of Backfarm herd, Co. Tyrone.

Also sold to 22,000gns was Balmyle Thumper, bred by Mr W P Bruce of Balmyle herd, Perthshire. This 18-month-old bull was the day’s Reserve Intermediate Champion and at the fall of the hammer, the successful bidder was Mr C Smeaton & Sons of Bombax herd in Angus and Mr Bruce will retain a half share. Thumper was sired by Balmyle Patrick, a son of the 16,000gns Ovill Lennon, and his dam, Balmyle Inkling, was sired by the 28,000gns Brampton Nacodar.

18-month-old class winner, Gretnahouse Topper, took 16,000gns and was bred by Lucy Houston of Gretnahouse herd, Dumfries-shire. This young bull was sired by the easy-calving Lochend Nighthawk, and his dam, Gretnahouse Masweety, is a daughter of the 12,000gns Wesley Equinox. Winning the bid and taking home Topper is J & W Kellas of The Raws, Dufftown, Keith.

Three bulls secured the next highest price of 12,000gns; the first was 19-month-old Glenericht Troy bred by W K & P Drysdale of Glenericht herd, Perthshire. Sired by the 18,000gns Thrunton Fairfax, this bull’s dam, Glenericht Polly, was sired by Glenericht Mecca, who boasts a tremendous Calving Ease Direct EBV of +33.7. The successful bidder was L & D Hair of Stranraer.

Also selling for 12,000gns was Kersknowe Tornado, an 18-month-old bull who placed second in his class. Bred by Mr J Jeffrey of Kersknowe herd, Roxburghshire, this homebred bull was sired by Kersknowe Pope and out of Kersknowe Jessie, a daughter of Lagavaich Fernando. Tornado will be heading over to Orkney to join the Quoymorhouse herd of Mr T Leslie.

The final bull to sell for 12,000gns was 17-month-old Elrick Talent from Mr M J Massie of Elrick herd, Aberdeenshire. Talent was second in his class, and sired by Ballinlare Phantom, who peaked a top price of 16,000gns at Stirling February sale back in 2021. This young bull is out of dam Elrick Ornament, who was sired by the French-born, easy-calver, Maerdy Gouverneur. Taking home Talent to the Dreva herd is Mr J Warnock & Sons from Lanarkshire.

Kersknowe Theo reached 11,00gns, a 19-month-old bull from Mr J Jeffrey of Kersknowe herd, Roxburghshire. Theo placed second in his class, with his sire being the 14,000gns Balmyle Navarone. His dam, Kersknowe Perfume, is a daughter of the 14,000gns Balthayock Mikado. Mr D MacVicar won the bid for Theo and takes him home to Middle Ballat, Glasgow.

Two bulls took the next highest price of 10,000gns; the first being Glenericht Travis. This 18-month-old homebred bull was bred by W K & P Drysdale of Glenericht herd, Perthshire and has been won by joint-bidders J M Cant & Partners of the Panmure herd, and Abbie Anderson of the Rutherston herd. Travis is fully parent verified to sire Glenericht Limpet and Glenericht Jewel, who is a daughter of the 16,000gns AI bull, Clyth Diplomat.

Hollywell Taichi is the second 18-month-old bull to sell for 10,000gns and was third in his class. Bred by J & S Middleton, his sire was the easy-calver Nuthampstead Judas, and he’s out of dam, Hollywell Orla, who is sired by the popular AI bull Whitecliffe James. This young bull will be heading to Stranraer under the care of new owner, A H Fisher.

Gretnahouse Thumper, sold for 9,500gns

Another bull from Lucy Houston of the Gretnahouse herd, Dumfries-shire, sold for 9,500gns. The 18-month-old, Gretnahouse Thumper, was won by Alex Bayne & Son, and will go to his new home in Perthshire. A son of the easy-calving Lochend Nighthawk, whilst Thumper’s dam, Gretnahouse Orka, was sired by Westcarse Jimmy, a trait leader in growth EBVs for the 200, 400, and 600 day weights.

Elrick Tommy, 1^st in Class 4, sold for 9,000gns

A further three bulls took the next best price of 9,000gns with one of them being the 19-month-old, Elrick Tommy. First in his class, this promising bull was sired by Ballinlare Phantom and out of Elrick Marshal, a daughter of Elrick Impeccable. Tommy was purchased by J & J Strain of Co. Down.

Matching the 9,000gns price was Mornity Thumper, bred by Jack Nicoll Farms Ltd in Perthshire. Having placed second in his class, this 18-month-old bull is the first bull sired by Glenericht Pegasus and out of Mornity Janet, who was sired by Balthayock Upright. Thumper caught the eye of bidder Jeffrey James and will be heading home with him to Swansea.

Marwood Toffee, sold for 9,000gns

The final 9,000gns lot was Marwood Toffee, a 17-month-old bull who placed second in his class and was bred by R A & J Blyth of Marwood herd, Cleveland. Out of dam Marwood Jellybaby, who was sired by the 22,000gns Burradon Goldenballs, Toffee is a son of the 16,000gns Balthayock Lineup. The successful bidder, L & D Hair of Stranraer, will be taking home Toffee alongside Glenericht Troy.

Ten females were sold following on from the bull sales, with the highest price of 7,500gns secured by the Female Champion, Harestone Stacey. Bred by R & N Barclay of Harestone herd, Aberdeenshire, Stacey has some excellent names in her pedigree with her sire, Balthayock Minstrel, being sold for 46,000gns at Stirling in 2018. She also goes back to the 26,000gns Harestone Fearless on her dam’s side. Securing the final bid for this stunning young heifer was Claire Ferris of the Damview herd in Co. Down.

Results

Senior Classes

Class 1 – BULLS born on or between 25 October 2021 – 1 January 2022

1^st – Major D F W H & N R Walter – Balthayock Solo – s. Elrick Paragon

2^nd – A J R Farms – Newlogie Sandy – s. Maerdy Morwr

3^rd – Mr H Goldie – Goldies Sullivan – s. Elrick Officer

4^th – Major D F W H & N R Walter – Balthayock Seraphim – s. Balthayock Nevada

5^th – R & N Barclay – Harestone Snapchat – s. Goldies Oasis

Class 2 – BULLS born on or between 2 January – 22 February 2022

1^st – Mr R A Elgin – Elgin Troy – s. Caylers Noah

2^nd – Mr S Gilleard – Gilleard Toronto – s. Tophill Oscar

3^rd – McMurrich Partnership – Formakin Trident – s. Neptune JC

4^th – J Watson & Co – Tweeddale Tarzan – s. Goldies Jasper

5^th – R & N Barclay – Harestone Trueman – s. Goldies Oasis

Class 3 – BULLS born on or between 23 February – 18 March 2022

1^st – Miss M T Hanson – Silvermere Tsunami – s. Clyth Diplomat

2^nd – Mr J Jeffrey – Kersknowe Theo – s. Balmyle Navarone

3^rd – Mr M S Durno – Glenlivet Thunderstruck – s. Elgin Glenlivet

4^th – W K & P Drysdale – Glenericht Troy – s. Thrunton Fairfax

5^th – Mr R F McCornick – Ricnick Turbo – s. Harestone Hercules

Senior Championship – Overall best bull from Classes 1-3

The Maerdy Perpetual Trophy

Senior Champion – Miss M T Hanson – Silvermere Tsunami – s. Clyth Diplomat

Reserve Senior Champion – Mr R A Milne – Elgin Troy – s. Caylers Noah

Intermediate Classes

Class 4 – BULLS born on or between 19 – 30 March 2022

1^st – Mr M J Massie – Elrick Tommy – s. Ballinlare Phantom

2^nd – Mr J Jeffrey – Kersknowe Tornado – s.Kersknowe Pope

3^rd – J & S Middleton – Hollywell Taichi – s. Nuthampstead Judas

4^th – W K & P Drysdale – Glenericht Travis – s. Glenericht Limpet

5^th – Mr H Goldie – Goldies Tony – s. Caylers Rocky

Class 5 – BULLS born on or between 31 March – 4 April 2022

1^st – W P Bruce Ltd – Balmyle Thumper – s. Balmyle Patrick

2^nd – W P Bruce Ltd – Balmyle Trigger – s. Balymyle Jasper

3^rd – A MacGregor (Allanfauld) – Allanfauld Tadorne – s. Harestone Oscar

4^th – W P Bruce Ltd – Balmyle Toby – s. Balmyle Patrick

5^th – J Watson & Co– Tweeddale Truedrive – s. Tweeddale Overdrive

Class 6 – BULLS born on or between 5 – 12 April 2022

1^st – Lucy Houston – Gretnahouse Topper – s. Lochend Nighthawk

2^nd – Jack Nicol Farms Limited – Mornity Thumper – s. Glenericht Pegasus

3^rd – Mr M J Massie – Elrick Thunder – s. Ballinlare Phantom

4^th – R A & J Blyth – Marwood Trooper – s. Marwood Odin

5^th – J H C Campbell & Sons – Thrunton Topper – s. Glenernan Northstar

Class 7 – BULLS born on or between 13 – 24 April 2022

1^st – Mr H Goldie – Goldies Tweed – s. Goldies Poldark

2^nd – Mr M J Massie – Elrick Talisman – s. Maerdy Ignition

3^rd – W P Bruce Ltd – Balmyle Tiger – s. Balmyle Jasper

4^th – A MacGregor (Allanfauld) – Allanfauld Travis – s. Harestone Oscar

5^th – Mr M J Massie – Elrick Titan – s. Ballinlare Phantom

Intermediate Championship – Overall best bull from Classes 4-7

The Balmyle Perpetual Challenge Trophy

Intermediate Champion – Mr H Goldie – Goldies Tweed – s. Goldies Poldark

Reserve Intermediate Champion – W P Bruce Ltd – Balmyle Thumper – s. Balmyle Patrick

Junior Classes

Class 8 – BULLS born on or between 25 April – 6 May 2022

1^st – J Watson & Co – Tweeddale Titan – s. Goldies Jasper

2^nd – R A & J Blyth – Marwood Toffee – s. Balthayock Lineup

3^rd – R A & J Blyth – Marwood Twister – s. Balthayock Lineup

4^th – R A & J Blyth – Marwood Tiktok – s. Balthayock Lineup

5^th – Mr W S Oates – Ravensworth Theo – s. Goldies Orchard

Class 9 – BULLS born on or between 7 – 23 May 2022

1^st – T & S Gatherer – Barnsford Thistle – s. Elgin Jagger

2^nd – Mr M J Massie – Elrick Talent – s. Ballinlare Phantom

3^rd – W & N Milne – Glenernan Tyson – s. Thrunton Platinum

4^th – Major D F W H & N R Walter – Balthayock Tarsus – s. Balthayock Impression

5^th – J A Wilson & Sons – Kinclune Topman – s. Goldies Ivan

Class 10 – BULLS born on or after 24 May 2022

1^st – Miss M T Hanson – Silvermere Tesla – s. Balbithan Napoleon

2^nd – Mr H Goldie – Goldies Tattoo – s. Gretnahouse Heman

3^rd – Mr E A Mutch – Forglen Talisman – s. Kersknowe Matador

4^th – Mr D M Lyle – Loganbar Tigre – s. Maerdy Pore

5^th – Mr J Jeffrey – Kersknowe Thistle – s. Balmyle Navarone

Junior Championship – Overall best bull from Classes 8-10

The Moyness Perpetual Challenge Trophy

Junior Champion – Miss M T Hanson – Silvermere Tesla – s. Balbithan Napoleon

Reserve Junior Champion – T & S Gatherer – Barnsford Thistle – s. Elgin Jagger

Overall Male Championship

The Roxburgh Trophy – Presented by Mr J Forrest

Overall Male Champion – Miss M T Hanson – Silvermere Tsunami – s. Clyth Diplomat

Reserve Overall Male Champion – Mr H Goldie – Goldies Tweed – s. Goldies Poldark

Females

Class 11 – HEIFER born on or after 1 July 2020

1^st – R & N Barclay – Harestone Stacey – s. Balthayock Minstrel

2^nd – Brailes Livestock – Skysea Serenade – s. Foxacre Memnon

3^rd – R & N Barclay – Harestone Shantelle – s. Blelack Fabulous

4^th – R & N Barclay – Harestone Shania – s. Harestone Monarch

Female Championship

The Glassel Trophy

Female Champion – R & N Barclay – Harestone Stacey – s. Balthayock Minstrel

Reserve Female Champion – Brailes Livestock – Skysea Serenade – s. Foxacre Memnon