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Rosettes for north stockmen at Stirling Bull Sales

Islavale Hijack was Simmental breed champion.
Islavale Hijack was Simmental breed champion.

Scottish breeders reigned supreme at the Stirling Bull Sales yesterday with the champion rosettes for the Aberdeen-Angus, Charolais and Simmental bulls awarded to stockmen from north of the border.

Kicking off proceedings was the pre-sale show of Charolais bulls, judged by Neil Blyth, of Middleton House Farm, Elwick, Hartlepool.

He awarded his top prize to father and daughter duo Jim and Alison Muirhead, who run the Firhills herd at Firhills Farm, by Arbroath.

The pair took home their first Stirling championship win with home-bred 17-month-old Firhills Majestic, by the 20,000gn Maerdy Grenadier which is shared with Balthayock, and out of Ugie Heidi.

He is a full sister to last year’s Royal Highland Show female champion named Firhills Lady.

The judge, Neil Blyth, said of his champion: “He just had that bit more style and presence than the rest of them.

“He is only a young bull but he looks powerful.”

Firhills Majestic was Charolais champion.

Mr Blyth awarded his reserve rosettes to June 2016-born Thrunton Maestro from Ian Campbell and sons Bruce and Andrew, from Thrunton Farm, Thrunton, Alnwick.

He is by Thrunton Gladiator and out of Thrunton Hirondelle.

Meanwhile, in the Simmental show both the champion and reserve prizes were awarded to entries from the Stronach family’s Islavale herd at Berryleys Farm, Grange, Keith.

The champion was 17-month-old Islavale Hijack, by Islavale Echo and out of Islavale Bramble. Echo bred the champion at February’s sale which sold for 10,000gn.

Judge Chris Boyd, of 9 Glebe Cottages, Ahoghill, Ballymena, described the champion as a “well-balanced bull with nice style”.

He awarded the reserve champion prize to November 2016-born Islavale Hoogee, by the 15,000gn Atlow Dixon and out of Islavale Erin. Dixon bred the February 2017 champion, Islavale Gambler, which sold for 13,000gn.

Lastly, in the Aberdeen-Angus show the champion rosettes went to September 2016-born Tonley Ernie, from the Wattie family at Mains of Tonley, Alford.

He is by Tonley Anelka, which bred the 10,000gn reserve junior champion in February, and out of Tonley Emiline.

Tonley Ernie was Aberdeen-Angus champion.

Judge Emma Hodge, of Rulesmains, Duns, said: “The champion was a nice, clean bull with a great top line and good shape.”

She awarded the reserve championship prize to April 2016-born Blelack Proteus from father and son duo Neil and Graeme Massie, of Firmarron, off Ballater Road, Aboyne.

He is by Hallington Principal, which was bought privately from Alan Lawson, and out of Blelack Princess.

All bulls will be sold today, along with entries of Salers, Beef Shorthorn, Limousins and Highlands.