It was all smiles as dreams came true for two new breeders at the recent Galloway Cattle Society Spring Show and Sale held in Castle Douglas.
The pair – Glenrath Farms Ltd, Peebles and IHG Warden, Skelfhill, Selkirk made a significant impact, securing the two top prices for bulls and a new world record price, marking a standout achievement in their early breeding journey.
Swagger of Glenrath, bred by Glenrath Farms Ltd and expertly presented by stockman Joe, secured the Overall Male Champion title at the pre-sale show. This much-admired son of Olympian of Troloss, born in August 2023, set a new world record price of 27,000gns. The previous record of 26,000gns, achieved in 2023 for Blackcraig Dyker, was purchased Glenrath Farms Ltd. Swagger of Glenrath was purchased in a two-way split between John, Ann, and Iain Finlay of Blackcraig and Robbie Galloway of Cardona, Doune, Stirling.
The Glenrath team also celebrated further success, securing the Reserve Overall Male Champion title with Stealth of Glenrath. This 21-month-old son of Troloss Nimrod, who finished second to the champion in the previous day’s classes, sold for 4,000gns to JW Hall of Darnbrook Farm, Malham Moor, Settle.
Glenrath Farms achieved an impressive average of £11,287.50 for their four bulls.
The Warden team from Skelfhill, Hawick, had an exceptional few days. First, Ali Warden had the honour of judging the heifers at the show. Then, as first-time vendors, they achieved a top price of 24,000gns for Skelfhill Fortnum, who had placed third the previous day. This Barlaes Rivellino son, out of Blackcraig Bertha B1057, was purchased by the Society’s Vice Chairman, Robert McTurk of Barlaes, Dalry.
The Female Champion, Blackcraig Libby E1474, bred by John, Ann, and Iain Finlay of Blackcraig, Corsock, achieved the top female price of 9,000gns. A favourite of the Blackcraig team, this exceptional animal is sired by Nucamp of Balgray and out of Blackcraig Libby Z809. She was purchased by returning customer Catherine MacGregor renowned photographer from Stirling.
Ali Warden, Skelfhill then backed up his judgement by purchasing the reserve female champion – Brownie 11th of Fingland from Jimmy Wallace, Fingland, Dalry, this Oryan of Balgray daughter and out of Barlaes Brownie 211th – a Barack Obama of Fingland daughter was purchased for 4200gns.
Full report to follow.
Averages
24 bulls sold to average £6822.81 (+ £1314.68) 66% clearance
10 Bulling heifers sold to average £3339.00 (+£1573.09)
8 heifers ran with bull sold to average £2310.00 (-£1145.45)
18 heifers sold – 88% clearance.
Bulls
1 Kilnstown Farms Ltd Newton Cracker 3500gns J Campbell, Kypehill, Strathaven
2 Mr & Mrs J & S Ross Gage of Romesbeoch 4200gns Tottingworth Farm, Sussex
4 Mr R Nixon Craig of Marbrack 3000gns G McMillan, Over Barskeoch, Dalry
5 Klondyke Farms Ltd Klondyke Hercules 3000gns P & M Gray, Symington, Biggar
6 Mr D Maxwell Ben Lomond Heliotrope 3200gns M J Partridge, Devon
7 Klondyke Farms Ltd Klondyke Stallion 3000gns McMillan & Partners, Holm of Dalquhairn, Dalry, Castle Douglas
8 Glenrath Farms Ltd Sparky of Glenrath 5000gns S McKie, Finniness, Balmaghie, Castle Douglas
9 Mr D Maxwell Ben Lomond Hardstone 5000gns Mr M McCornick, Barquhill, Wigtown
12 Mr & Mrs J & S Ross Gladiator of Romesbeoch 4500gns Hedgeley Farms, Hedgeley Hall, Powburn, Alnwick
13 Glenrath Farms Ltd Stealth of Glenrath 4000gns JW Hall, Darnbrook Farm, Malham Moor, Settle
14 Messrs W Wallace & Sons Haaland of Fingland 10000gns IHG Warden, Skelfhill, Hawick
15 Glenrath Farms Ltd Spartacus of Glenrath 7000gns J & S Ross, Romesbeoch, Shawhead, Dumfries
16 Mr R Galloway Cardona Guinness 2500gns Simon Redman, Creeside Farm, Barrhill, Ayrshire
18 Alistair Warden Skelfhill Frankie 3500gns FE Strang Steel, Lymiecleuch, Selkirk
20 Alistair Warden Skelfhill Fortnum 24000gns R McTurk, Barlaes, Dalry
21 Mr M McCornick Barquhill Max 3500gns Mr Heywood, Wood Farm, Flitwick, Beford
22 Glenrath Farms Ltd Swagger of Glenrath 27000gns J & A Finlay, Blackcraig, Corsock & JR Galloway, Cardona Farm, Doune
24 Kilnstown Farms Ltd Fame of Kilnstown 7000gns B Dickinson & Co, Brockstone, Kentmere
25 Messrs D & R Cornthwaite Uppercrust of Balgray 3250gns Glenfernate Estates, Enochdhu, By Blairgowrie
32 Messrs R.A. McClymont & Son Kirkstead Hector 6000gns Glenrath Farms, Kirkton Manor, Peebles
33 Messrs R.A. McClymont & Son Kirkstead Hercules 3800gns WF Welsh, Lochurr, Moniaive, Thornhill & B Douglas, Castlederg, Co Tyrone
35 Mr J Finlay Blackcraig Fencer 14000gns J Maxwell, Jaw Farm, Fintry, Glasgow
36 Messrs Wallace Highway Man of Over Barskeoch 4000gns
TE Stephenson, Burntshield Haugh, Steele, Hexham
40 Kilnstown Farms Ltd Fast Track of Kilnstown 2000gns Alex Weeks, Castell Bedw.
Unled heifers
42 Messrs R.A. McClymont & Son Kirkstead Amber G19 2100gns Tig Valley Farms, Stratfield, Saye
43 Messrs R.A. McClymont & Son Kirkstead Lea G32 3000gns W Maclean, Inverglen, Barcaldine, Oban
44 Messrs R.A. McClymont & Son Kirkstead Nancy G34 2300gns Tig Valley Farms, Stratfield, Saye
45 Messrs R.A. McClymont & Son Kirkstead Tricia G35 2100gns B Douglas, Castlederg, Co Tyrone
Heifers
48 Mr J Finlay Blackcraig Bertha E1408 3100gns Polston Farm, The Mill, Polston, Invercrynoch
49 Mr J Finlay Blackcraig Joan E1426 3000gns Polston Farm, The Mill, Polston, Invercrynoch
51 Messrs Wallace Gael Diamond of Over Barskeoch 2000gns S Langdon, Luckworthy Farm, Mollan, South Molton, Devon
53 Mr J Finlay Blackcraig Libby E1474 9000gns C Macgregor, South Road, Insch
54 Mr J Finlay Blackcraig Moss Rose E1477 3400gns Polston Farm, The Mill, Polston, Invercrynoch
57 Mr RJ McTurk Barlaes Nancy 194th 1900gns Tig Valley Farms, Stratfield, Saye
58 Mr P Hunter Blair Foxglove Erica of Nether Cleugh 2000gns A & J Richardson, Higher Breen Farm, Byley, Byley Road
59 Mr RJ McTurk Barlaes Katie 113th 2200gns Nixon & Pitman, Nunscleugh Rowelton, Carlisle
60 Messrs W Wallace & Sons Molly 215th of Fingland 2200gns J & J Anderson, Upper Wellwood Farm,
61 Mr James Campbell Kypehill Peggy Sue 1600gns S Langdon, Luckworthy Farm,
63 Messrs W Wallace & Sons Kathleen 18th of Fingland 1900gns A & J Richardson, Higher Breen farm, Byley, Byley Road, Middlewich, Cheshire
64 Messrs W Wallace & Sons Brownie 11th of Fingland 4200gns IHG Warden, Skelfhill, Hawick
65 Messrs W Wallace & Sons Urma 30th of Fingland 2000gns J Hepburn & Co, Northhouse Farm, Hawick
66 Mr James Campbell Kypehill Jolene 1400gns S Langdon, Luckworthy Farm, Mollan, South Molton, Devon
