Hollymount Vagabond - 21,000gns

A ready demand for quality Charolais bulls from commercial producers led bidding to peak at 21,000gns in Carlisle on Saturday 13 May at the breed society’s late spring show and sale. Furthermore, 30% more entries were sold on the year with 131 bulls averaging £3,098 including 17 lots at 5,000gns or more.

Sale leader was Hollymount Vagabond, a rising two year old who 24 hours earlier had been placed reserve senior male and overall reserve supreme champion by judge Michael Durno, of Ballindalloch, Banffshire, who identified the bull for his ‘power and character and potential to breed top pedigree females’. Sired by Indurain and out of a Hollymount cow by Doonally New, Vagabond was bred in County Mayo, Ireland by Thomas Jennings and bought in a private deal last summer by his vendors, father and son team, Brian and William McAllister, Kells, Ballymena, County Antrim.

“Vagabond was demonstrating scale, length, good bone and presence when we initially saw him 12 months ago, and we knew he had the potential to turn into something special,” commented William who was making his debut in Carlisle and taking back over the water his highest price ever, the McAllister’s previous best being 11,000gns in Perth in 2003. Fellow NI breeder, Victor Chestnutt, County Antrim was the under bidder for Vagabond, a BQI qualifier bull who was finally knocked down sold to Ouston Farms, Pelton, Chester-le-Street.

Running neck and neck for the top slot throughout the event was Gwenog Vindicator CH29, another August 2004 born entry to which Mr Durno eventually made the senior male and overall supreme champion awards. “Vindicator was another outstanding bull entered in the same class, yet he was quite contrasting. He was very well muscled, the type that will go on to breed top quality commercial calves.”  Bred and exhibited by John and Peter Howells, Llanwenog, Llanybydder, Vindicator was another successful son by their 18,000gns Derryharney Outstanding, and out of a Reddivallen bred cow. He was secured for 10,000gns by Alwyn Williams, Castell Mawr, Pistyll, Pwllheli.

The event’s second highest call of 14,000gns came late in the day for Sackville Adonis, a 15 month old who was within the breed’s top 1% with a Beef Value of CH45. A Roundhill Rocky son and out of a homebred cow going back to Balthayock Longbow, he was offered by BA and PT Heath, Hartfield, East Sussex and sold in a split bid to Bob and Drew Adam, Glamis, Forfar, and Bill Bruce, Meigle, Perthshire.

Minutes later, Mr Bruce recouped his spend when his February 2005 born Balmyle Addition CH39 made 12,000gns in another two way bid, this time between Murray Lyle, Dunblane, Stirling and Neil Barclay, Crathes, Banchory. Addition, who had headed his class was by Dingle Hofmeister and out of a homebred cow by Maerdy Othello.

Next to go was the junior champion, Gower Atomic CH29, another Welsh bred entry, this time from Richard and Alison Tucker, Horton, Gower, near Swansea. A 16 month old by Major, he was out of a homebred cow going back to Brampton Tenpin. Atomic was knocked down sold for 7,500gns to Messrs Irvine, Alnwick.

Leicestershire based Wesley Estates, Markfield offered their best, Wesley Abel CH29 (January 2005) for 6,000gns to JS Goldie, Lochmaben, Lockerbie. Abel who had been placed in his class, was by Balthayock Longbow and out of a Bassingbourn sired homebred cow. The 18 month old Wesley Vigour CH23, another Longbow son from the same breeders, headed his class and commanded a bid of 5,200gns from RW and MI Walker, Morebattle, Kelso.

Two more entries were bid to 6,000gns. The first prize class winner, Fairway Aircontrol CH33 from David Fattorini, Tockwith, York headed north with D and M Campbell, Lybster, Caithness. A January 2005 born bull, his sire went back to Meillard and he was out of a homebred cow by Gower Javelin. 

The final 6,000gns bid was made late in the day for the reserve junior champion, Caylers Apollo CH33, a 13 month old youngster from the Barker family, Nuthampstead, Royston. Sired by Kelton Tribune and out of a homebred dam by Killadeas Lloyd, the buyer was Andrew Ewing, Annan, Dumfriesshire on behalf of a client.

Heading a string of entries from Welsh vet, Esmor Evans, Mold, Flintshire was the event’s intermediate champion, Maerdy Venables, a November 2004 born bull, by Maerdy Padriac and out of a homebred cow by Simpsons Gregg. He was secured for 5,800gns by J Innes and Sons. Huntley, Aberdeen.

Ugie Valentino CH38, an 18 month old from breed society chairman, Jimmy Wilson, Mintlaw, Peterhead was knocked down sold for 5,500gns to EG and CE Owen, Llanbrynmair, Powys. A second class prize winner and qualifier for HCC’s new Welsh Beef Quality Improvement Scheme (WBQIS), Valentino was by the 28,000gns Farleycopse Turbo and out of a homebred cow who goes back to the 24,000gns Perth supreme, Ugie Legend. Mr Wilson offered a second WBQIS qualifier, Ugie Valiant CH32 (December 2004), a Turbo son and out of a Maerdy Oxytone sired cow. He made 5,200gns to Messrs Adams, Lower Cwmtwrith, Swansea.

Another 18 month old with a blue ticket was Chunal Vancouver CH35 from Mark McGahan, Hadfield,Glossop selling for 5,400gns to AR and HC Thomas, Brides End, Vale of Glamorgan. Vancouver was by the 30,000gns Dingle Hofmeister and out of a homebred cow by the 28,000gns Perth supreme champion, Brampton Nacodar.

Leading entry at 5,200gns from the Campbell family, Ian and John, and their father, Colin of Thrunton, Alnwick was Thrunton Valourus CH35, a second class prize winner by the 25,000gns Perth supremo, Mowbraypark Orlando and out of a homebred cow by Maerdy Location. He returned to Northumberland with R Brewis, Belford.

Three lots shared a 5,000gns price tag. First to go was first prize class winner, Hendy Vesuvius CH31, a September 2004 born Tullygarley Rollerball son from JAW Rees, Llangurig, Llanidloes to MPB Ashton, Cefn Coch, Welshpool.

Forking out the next 5,000gns was W Jones-Davies and Son, Boughrood, Brecon for Marwood Volta CH26 from the Blyth family, Roy and Jean, and Neil and Kirsty, of Elwick, Hartlepool. The October 2004 born Volta was by Inverlochy Passport and out of a homebred cow by Kelton Bombadier.

Trefonnen Agrandslam CH27, a 14 month old youngster by Derryharney Outstanding from Mr and Mrs RM Hughes, Trefonen, Oswestry attracted the third 5,000gns call from Hampshire based Mortimers Farm, Fair Oak, Eastleigh. Agrandslam who was placed third in his class was no stranger to the ring having secured the leading junior bull award at the Welsh Region Charolais Calf Show.

Averages: bulls: 47 senior £2,752.34; 51 intermediate £3,003.82; 33 junior £3,735.45: females: 4 cows and heifers served and/or suckling £1,653.75; 4 served heifers £1,785.00; 9 maiden heifers £1,382.50.

Drafts; Alwent Herd (6 head) £1,400.00; Chesham Herd (6 head) £1,023.75; Yellowhill Herd (5 head) £1,459.50; Wigginton Herd (4 head) £1,569.38.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington

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