‘Blues’ are back with a bag, a statement which is a testament to a new junior female record price of 23,000gns, which was set across the waters over the course of the weekend.
A yearling heifer from a three-cow herd of Jean Mackay, and husband, David Parker, based near Barrhead, Glasgow, most certainly lived up to her name at the British Blue Cattle Society’s January offering at Harrison and Hetherington’s Borderway centre on Friday, January 20th.
Harelaw Star (ET) is a January 2nd, 2022-born blue and white Henlli Wishmaster daughter, which is also out of a previous show female, the Kersey Geronimo-sired Woodend Leonna, which was purchased in 2017 and is now a flush cow.
The couple are long-time breeders of pedigree Blues, having bought their first over two decades ago in 2010,
She claimed the female and supreme championship tickets at the weekend’s sale, which comes following her claiming the reserve silverware at LiveScot, where she was also part of the winning inter-breed pairs team.
Previously, she has also won red tickets and has featured in the championship line-ups at the Borderway Agri-Expo and Stars of the Future.
Buyer comments
According to reports, she “attracted a lot of attention” from potential purchasers from all directions – Ireland, Wales, England, and Scotland – but she now heads to the farm of show calf producer from the North-East of Scotland, Blair Duffton.
He first saw the 23,000gns price tag heifer on the winter show circuit and has high hopes for the “correct, stylish heifer’s”, 2023 show season.
He intends to show her this summer before flushing her as she matures.
Duffton commented: “I spotted her at LiveScot and thought she was perfection, so said if Jean was ever selling, I would buy her but never thought she would actually come up for sale,” said Blair.
“I thought the heifer was immaculate – one look and you love her. She is very sweet, correct and stylish with no Blue trait faults and is also well balanced with nice markings giving her the most attractive presence.”
“She definitely won my heart and many others, so did realise she would make as much, but when you see a special beast, there is no point in falling short.”
“She’s such a genuine animal from a lovely genuine family, which also encouraged me to buy her,” concluded Blair.
Breeder’s remarks
In the sales catalogue, MacKay described her as “a real eye-catcher, our favourite heifer we have bred to date”.
They committed that she “oozes style and character with a very sweet feminine look, is well muscled, carrying width throughout”.
“She has tremendous long, level lines and exceptional wide square plates.”
“A very correct heifer all round, great on her feet and legs, this one is not to be missed for the 2023 shows,” they concluded.
