At the April Native Breeds Sale, held at Dungannon Mart on Friday 17 April, it was a day to remember for Co Armagh breeder Heather King when her sole entry, Sommerville 1 Bandit, first took the championship and then made the top price of the day at 4,800gns. The first bull brought forward to a sale from the herd, it was a son of the widely used Fabb 1 Northern Star. Its dam, Sommerville 1 Duchess, was the first female born into the herd and a successful show female. Born in April 2024, it won class one before being tapped out as champion under judge Robin Lamb. It then sold to Jim and Ann Henning, Co Armagh, for their pedigree herd.
Supreme Champion Somerville 1 Bandit bred by Heather King
Taking the day’s second top price of 4,600gns was Solpoll 1 Crossfire for John and William McMordie, Co Down. A September 2024-born son of their successful stock bull, Fabb 1 Top Prize, it was out of the home-bred Solpoll 1 Starlet V2. It sold with excellent figures, with weight and terminal index in the top one per cent, to Derek McClements, Aughnacloy.
The reserve champion was the winner of the youngest class, bred by Bertie and Greer Watson, Raffrey. Barnburn 1 Cola, a 17-month-old son of the previous NI Sire of the Year, Solpoll 1 Ringo, was out of the herd’s best cow, Barnburn 1 Nolana, the 2024 National Show champion. Alan Rea, Ballynahinch, purchased it for his pedigree herd for 4,200gns.
Reserve Champion Barnburn 1 Cola Bred by B&G Watson
Also selling for 4,200gns was the first prize winner, Annaghbeg MJ, and the choice of Cathal McMullan, Castlewellan. Bred by Mark and Lawrence Moore, Aughnacloy, it was a son of their successful stock bull, Cave Hill Max, out of the home-bred Annaghbeg Candy.
Class winner Annaghbeg MJ bred by M & L Moore
Another first prize winner took the next highest price of 4,000gns when Alan Shaw, Dungannon, sold his 19-month-old Benburb 1 Cameron to F and N Fox, Dungannon. A son of Normanton 1 Laertes, it was out of the purchased Solpoll 1 Dainty W16.
Class winner Benburb 1 Cameron bred by Alan Shaw
Ten bulls sold to average £4,000 at 84 per cent clearance. Judge Robin Lamb commented he was impressed with his champion and reserve, both structurally correct with good locomotion, a must for any potential bull going into a herd.