A FLINTSHIRE breeder, exhibitor and vet led the top prices at the autumn Stirling Bull Sales.

Esmor Evans, was delighted with his day, selling a total of five bulls averaging £13,860.

Leading the bids at 40,000gns was one of the youngest lots of the sale, Maerdy Newman. This June 2017 born son of the 10,000gns Stirling reserve senior champion Blelack Fabulous and Maerdy Dynamite-sired Maerdy Junco was snapped up by Boden and Davies, Stockport, Cheshire.

Esmor commented: “I knew he was an exceptional bull, and this was proven by the immense interest shown in him this week which was reflected in his price.”

It was a day for the Charolais as the breed took the top price, made the highest average and sold the most bulls.

Eighty bulls sold to an average £6,785.63 – £706 up on the year and clearing at 81 per cent. Prices topped at 40,000gns and 12 bulls made five-figure sums while a further 31 sold for 5,000gns and above.

Society CEO Peter Phythian commented: “We are delighted with the trade, especially considering the issues with beef prices and the drought during the summer. It just goes to show that commercial farmers want a breed with a real premium that can finish quicker than any other”.

Mr Evans’ next top priced lots both sold for 8,500gns. Also sons of Blelack Fabulous, Maerdy Newel and Maerdy Ned found new homes in Orkney and Invernessshire respectively.

The June 2017 born Newel is out of Maerdy Honney, sired by the French-bred Froufrou, and caught the eye of T Leslie, Shapinsay. The May 2017 born Ned is out of the 13,000gns Balthayock Eagle-sired Maerdy Juice, and was purchased by W Duncan and Co, Insch, who went on to purchase another of the Maerdy bulls.

Maerdy Newton, who Mr Duncan snapped up for 6,000gns, is another June 2017 born Blelack Fabulous son, this time out of the Lincolnshire Duke-sired Maerdy Jelly.

Also flying the flag for Wales were Conwy breeders RT and DM Roberts of Abergele, with their three bulls Brynffanigl Nasa, Brynffanigl Newton and Brynffanigl Nimbus.

Their top priced Nasa, an 18 month old, who was purchased by NR Gammie, Davo Mains, Laurencekirk, was also crowned intermediate champion at the pre-sale show. His sire, the homebred Brynffanigl John is a Denbigh and Flint show champion and his dam Brynffanigl Gwenan goes back to the 17,000gns Alsnow Almighty.

Their youngest, the May 2017 born Brynffanigl Newton came home to Denbighshire with DC Evans and Co, who purchased him for 5,000gns. His sire the homebred Brynffanigl John is a Denbigh and Flint show champion and his dam Brynffanigl Jasmin goes back to the popular AI sire Allanfauld Vagabond.

Messrs Roberts other offering, the 19 month old Brynffanigl Nimbus is also sired by Brynffanigl John, but this time out of the Goldies Hero daughter Brynffanigl Jody, and heads up to Birsay, Orkney with his new owner GT Coghill.

Second Top in the trade stakes was another 15 month old, this time from Society President Archie MacGregor, Kilsyth, Glasgow. Allanfauld Neptune who had placed third in his class twenty-four hours earlier, was knocked down sold to R McCulloch, Armadale, West Lothian for 20,000gns. His impressive breeding includes sire, the 11,000gns Carlisle reserve junior champion Balmyle Jasper and dam Royal Highland show class winner Allanfauld Heiress, a daughter of the 11,000gns Woodpark Elgin.

The supreme and senior champion Anside Nightrider was the next highest priced at 18,000gns, selling to Billy Turner, Skelton in Ure, North Yorkshire. This January 2017 born son of the 11,000gns Woodpark Elgin and 30,000gns Balmyle Bollinger daughter Anside Geisha is no stranger to show success having secured the Nairn show championship earlier in the year for breeders and consigners Anside Livestock, Keith, Banffshire.

The next highest priced lot and selling for 15,000gns to T Smith and Son, Alford, Aberdeenshire, was the first of three top priced lots from Bill Bruce, Meigle, Perthshire. 17 month old Balmyle Nucleus, who stood second in his class at the presale show, is sired by the French imported Maerdy Gouverneur and out of Balmyle Heyday, a 9,500gns Maerdy Egret daughter.

Just behind at 14,000gns was Mr Bruce’s next lot and show class winner Balmyle Navarone. Another 17 month old, sired by Maerdy Gouverneur but this time out of the Royal Highland show champion Balmyle Eclipse-sired Balmyle Garland, he was purchased by J Jeffrey, Kelso, Roxburghshire.

Another to bring home the money for Bill Bruce was the blue ticket winner and May 2017 born Balmyle Napier, who sold in a 10,000gns deal to Hepburn and Co, Hawick, Roxburghshire. Napier is sired by the 9,500gns Maerdy Egret while his dam is the 12,000gns Pennal Dazzler daughter Balmyle Glucose.

Society Chairman Chris Curry’s Northumberland born reserve junior champion Burradon Noah was next in the trade stakes at 13,000gns. Another lot with impressive breeding, his sire is the 14,000gns Stirling junior champion Blelack Imperialist and dam Burradon Ivana is by the 10,000gns Puntabrava Federico. The June 2017 born Noah was purchased by J Warnock and Son, Biggar, Lanarkshire.

Averages: 80 bulls £6875.63

Auctioneers: United Auctions