Beef Shorthorns with Irish genetics proved to be best-selling contenders at the world-famous Stirling February Bull Sales across the waters in recent days.
The two highest-priced lots– 16,000gns and 14,000gns, respectively – at Monday’s (February 6th, 2023) Beef Shorthorn sale at United Auctions, Stirling, trace their roots to animals from two renowned herds in Co. Galway and Co Clare.
Millerston Ramsay
Leading the charge at 16,000gns was the supreme champion bull, Millerston Ramsay, by the famed sire, Bushypark Tiger, bred by John Keane and family of Ennis, Co Clare.
The Keane family’s bloodlines also made headlines at the Northern Ireland Beef Shorthorn Club’s calf show in November 2022, as reported by That’s Farming.
Millerston Ramsay (H), a roan Beef Shorthorn from Andrew Thornber and Daughters, was born in April 2021 and is out of Millerston Augusta Heidi (P) EX 92.
His dam was purchased at the Millerston dispersal sale for 15,000gns and has since taken her place as “one of the best females in the herd, as a consistent breeder with plenty of milk”.
On the day, he stood first in his class of bulls born on or between April 8th and April 16th, 2021 and lifted the Uppermill Calrossie Perpetual Trophy, City of Perth Perpetual Trophy, and South Africa Trophy.
Charlesbury Croaghpatrick
Following on his heels was Charlesbury Croaghpatrick (P), exhibited by Allan Jackson of Headlind Partners and bred by R L Morris and Partners, Blairgowrie, who changed hands for 14,000gns.
The April-2021-born light roan is by Charlesbury Hill Maker (P) (ET), a son of Kamilaroi Meatpacker, which sold for 17,0000s in 2014, and an Ingleton C111 daughter, Creaga Jetta IE IMP (P) EX 90, from the Creaga herd of Noel and Lisa Dowd, Creggs, Co Galway.
Jetta bred the 2018 Stirling reserve male champion, which went on to sire Charlesbury MacDonald, the breed champion GYS and national show.
Charlesbury Croaghpatrick (P) is described in the official sales catalogue as “having a unique blend of Australian, Canadian and Irish genetics, which will be a complete outcross for most UK breeders”.
At the pre-sale show, he stood second in his class of bulls born on or between April 8th and 16th, 2021, next to Ramsay, and was one of three entries that landed success for Jackson in the best three bulls and winner of the Auctioneer’s Cup category.
According to a spokesperson for the Beef Shorthorn Society, a 66% clearance rate was recorded for 59 bulls, which sold to an average of £5,697 and 14 heifers levelled at a figure just shy of £3,070.
