It was a sale of two halves at this year’s Irish Charolais Cattle Society Premier show and sale in Elphin, which seen early lots sell well and younger bulls finding it more difficult to get moving. Once again, bulls with high euro star indexes met a more solid trade, with calving figures also playing a massive role in buyer’s selection process. Although the average sale price was down on last year to €3,750, it was positive to see the clearance rate up to 67%, especially with the way all pedigree sales have been up and down this spring.
Leading the trade at €7,000 was the October 2015 born bull, Drumcullen Longshot. Exhibited by John Fleury from Killyon, Co. Offaly, this catchy bull is a son of the herd’s former stock bull, Vexour Granville. Imported from the UK a number of years ago, Granville has certainly left his mark on the Drumcullen herd, siring a number of high priced cattle in recent years. A second prize winner in the pre-sale show, Longshot sold with a five star terminal index of €134 and a calving figure of 7.3% to Michael Phillips from County Sligo.
Next best at €6,000 was Roughan Leopard from Donegal breeder, Pat Mc Clean with one of the highest index bulls cataloged carrying a five star terminal index of €142, a five star replacement index of €91 and a calving figure of 6.3%. Sired by the herd’s prolific stock bull, Roughan Enzo, Leopard also has Roughan Viceroi and CF 52 in his back pedigree. He was knocked down to Claire O’ Keeffe from Kilbarry, Co. Waterford. Roughan’s success in the sales ring continued on, with their second offering Roughan Lefford selling for €4,500 to John Hart from Croghan, Co. Roscommon. Once again this November 2015 born bull is a son of the fore mentioned, Roughan Enzo. Wrapping up proceedings then for the Donegal herd was Roughan Lion. Also by Enzo, this bull was snapped up by Vincent Kearney from County Mayo for €4,000.
Senior male champion Sionhill Lazer
The pre-sale show was judged by Patsy Mc Cabe from the Blakestown herd in county Louth. He found his senior champion in the form of Sionhill Lazer exhibited by the Carey’s from Killucan, Co. Westmeath. One of the ringside favorites from the moment he entered the ring, Lazer is a November 2015 born son of Balthayock Hamish. Once again CF 52 is back in the dam line of this stylish bull who attracted a lot of attention all day. He went under the hammer with a five star terminal index of €129 and a calving figure of just 6.4%. He was knocked down to James Johnston from Northern Ireland at €5,500.
Reserve senior male champion Williamstown Lenny
The reserve senior male champion went to Westmeath breeder Aidan Farrell for his Elgin Davinci son, Williamstown Lenny. This November 2015 born bull stood top of the line in a strong second class of bulls, but failed to meet his reserve in the sales ring.
Junior male champion Drummand Master
Taking home the junior champion of the show was the winner of the last class of bulls, Drummand Master. Just over 13 months old on sale day, this young bull was bred and exhibited by Michael Quigley from Inniskeen, Co. Monaghan. A son of the UK sire Thrunton Fairfax, Master exchanged hands at €4,800 to M and P Connolly from Roslea, Co. Fermanagh.
Reserve junior male champion Cuillmore Martin
The reserve junior champion went to County Mayo man Thomas Keane from Westport in the form of Cuillmore Martin. A son of the Dovea AI sire Liscally Eti and a daughter of CF 52, this much fancied bull sold to Owain Llyr, Tyn-Y-Wern, Ruthin, Wales for €4,800.
Cuillmore Luke
The same herd’s success did not stop there, as their second offering Cuillmore Luke flew under the hammer at €5,600. Another son of Liscally Eti and a daughter of CF 52, this December 2015 born bull took the red rosette in the fourth class of bulls before selling with a five star terminal index of €149 to Frank Murphy county Down.
Brownshill 14 Major
Getting back to the top sellers again, Michael Kavanagh from Brownshill, Co. Carlow was next in line with their first prize winner, Brownshill 14 Major. A pre-sale favorite having won the junior male champion at last year’s National Charolais Show, this January 2016 born son of Barnsford Ferny won his class before selling for €5,800 to Thomas Whitehead, Goresbridge, Co. Kilkenny.
Next up at €5,400 was the third prize winner Aughavadden Lucas exhibited by Michael Dowd from Newtowncashel, Co. Longford. This well-made son of Indurain and a CF 52 dam sold with a massive 5 star terminal index of €161 and a calving figure of 6.4% to Peter Melville from Gort, Co. Galway.
Tawny Larry Good Man
Not far behind him at €5000 was Tawny Larry Good Man, exhibited by Ciaran Daly from Tullaghan, Co. Leitrim. This powerful, thick son of Lisnagre Elite and once again a CF 52 dam ticked all the boxes on paper with a five star terminal index of €146 and a calving figure of 8%. He went across the water with Billy Glazebrook from Strathaven, Scotland.
Hitting the €4,800 mark was Carrickbrack 96 Maximus exhibited by Noel Maxwell from Convoy, Co. Donegal. This January 2016 born son of the UK sire Blelack Digger was one of the highest index bulls cataloged with a five star terminal index of €153, a five star replacement index of €132 and a calving figure of just 6.5%. This bull’s pedigree is no stranger to success in the sales ring, with full brothers selling for numerous high prices in Ireland and Scotland. He was snapped up by County Mayo breeder Joe Mc Donnell from Louisburgh.
Selling for €4,500 was Kilbline 1 Lari Kiri ET exhibited by the Sugrue’s, Co. Kilkenny. This huge son of Enfield Hari Kiri and a Domino bred dam was a second prize winner in the pre-sale show. He sold with a terminal index to match of €159 to Tom Mc Quade from Drumgoland, Virginia, Co. Cavan. Sharing the same price tag of €4,500 was Cloughbrack Lucas. This November 2015 born son of Pirate and a CF 52 dam was exhibited by Mattie Kelly from Newbridge, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway. Lucas carried a five star terminal index of €153 and found his new home with Dermot Cox from Boyle, Co. Roscommon.
Aughavadden Marcus
Back in the money once again was Michael Dowd from County Longford with Aughavadden Marcus at €4400. This January 2016 born son of the popular NCBC sire Cavelands Fenian possessed an impressive set of indexes. He sold with a five star terminal index of €148, a five star replacement index of €65 and a calving figure of 7.1%. Matching that same price tag of €4400 was Riverside Leeroi exhibited by Edwin Jones from County Longford. A son of the former Maternal Gene Ireland bull, Clenagh Hank, Leeroi was the highest terminal index bull to go under the hammer at the sale with an astounding index of €194. He went North with Pearse Gormley, Drumquin, Co. Tyrone.
Judge for the day Patsy Mc Cabe
Other leading prices in the bulls included:
€4200 for Williamstown Laurence by CF 52 exhibited by Aidan Farrell from Moate, Co. Westmeath.
€4100 for Landleague Lenny by Inverlochy Ferdie exhibited by Francis Ryan from Rosscahill, Co. Galway.
€4000 for Loughlin Lucas by Guepard exhibited by Thomas Hynes from Westport, Co. Mayo.
€4000 for Crossane 4 Mario by Alwent Goldbar ET exhibited by Eoin Mc Govern from Fivemilebourne Via Sligo, Co. Leitrim.
€3700 for Cloughbrack Lexus by Oscar exhibited by Mattie Kelly from Newbridge, Co. Galway.
€3600 for Fieldview Murray by Goldstar Echo exhibited by David Erskine from Ballybay, Co. Monaghan.
Females
Female champion Clenagh Jasmine ET
Heading up the small entry of females was Clenagh Jasmine ET at €5200 from Michael J Quin in County Clare. Having earlier secured the overall female champion, Jasmine was hotly sought after in the sales ring before being knocked down to the young Mc Govern brother’s from Fivemilebourne, Co. Sligo. A daughter of Dromiskin Viceroy and the outstanding performance cow, Clenagh Tranquil, jasmine sold with a perfect set of figures which included a terminal index of €162, a five star replacement index of €93 and a calving figure of 6.7%. She sold scanned in calf to the AI sire Cavelands Fenian.
Next best in the females was Liscally Liscally 1 ET at €2600. Exhibited by Lewis Regan Castelgal, Co. Leitrim, this October 2015 born heifer is a daughter of Liscally ETI. She went to the midlands with Aidan Weston from Portlaoise.
Ronan and Michael Carey with their senior champion Sionhill Lazer
The Kavanagh family with their first prize winner Brownshill 14 Major
Eyes on the prize
Quality
Smartness
Power