Spring Show and Sale of Blonde d'Aquitaine Pedigree Bulls & Females FRIDAY 8th MARCH 2002
REPORT

Brisk bidding rose to a peak of 5000gns for the very shapely Senior Male Champion at the Blonde Society’s Spring Show and Sale at Carlisle.

Glenbarry Renegade

Glenbarry Renegade from Barry and Christine Allsop of Harbuy, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, sold for 500gns to RL MacLean & Sons of St Mary’s Hall, Rochester, Kent. Weighing in at 950kgs, this Avonparks Milkybar son, born in March 2000 and out of Ashmead Natalie, had a beef value of BA20.Mr MacLean also purchased Swarland Rocket, for 2500gns from Mr A Proctor, of Morpeth, Northumberland.

Rocket was a Whistley Dollar son, out of homebred Swarland Mollymalone who was born in June 2000 and had a sale day weight of 834kgs, and had been placed 4th in his class.Second top price of the day was 4400gns, which was paid for the Reserve Supreme Champion Hillhead Ramjam, born in July 2000, this bull had been brought over the water, in a gamble which paid off for breeders Hillhead Blondes, from Ballynahinch, Co Down, Northern Ireland. (If the bull had not been sold, the Dept of Ag for NI, would not have allowed him home, as exports from England to Northern Ireland are not yet allowed). Successful purchaser was MW Skidmore & Son of Eastgate, Bishop Auckland, Co Durham.

Barry & Christine Allsop were back in the line up of top prices and prizes again, at 3200gns, with their second bull, Glenbarry Rocket, another Avonparks Milkybar son, but this time out of Hadley jacinthe (Bradbury Evan). With a sale day weight of 986kgs and a beef value of BA25, he caught the eye of G Johnston & Son, of Great Orton, Carlisle. He had been awarded the Reserve Senior Male Championship earlier on.

Close behind at 3100gns was Millend Rocco, for G Bowden & Son of Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire. Out of Millend Elspeth (Abricot) and sired by Ganaway Montague (Stocksfield Aristocrat) he had taken a 2nd prize ticket in the show. The lucky bidder was JR Worrell of Dalry, Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire.

Third prize winner Doncombe R2D2, a May 2000 born Druk Lance Son (Tonnere) and out of Doncombe Lysandra (Éclair) was offered for sale by David Knight, of North Wraxall, Chippenham, Wilts. He sold for 2600gns to JR & HH Thomas, Chirbury, Montgomery, Powys.

The second offering from David Knight was the Junior Male and Supreme Overall Champion Doncombe Rembrandt, born May 2000, this Aveton Monet son (Jaquot), out of Doncombe Moomba (Tonnere) had a sale day weight of some 990kgs, when the weight for age could have been just 725kgs. He was purchased by M Hose of Dromore, Stranraer for 2000gns.

Meanwhile Ian Calderbank of Mundon, Maldon, Essex accepted the same 2000gns for his bull Blackwater Romulus. Born June 2000 he was sired by Totteridge Drummond (Abricot) and out of Blackwater Gorgeous (Billingford Alberic). The purchaser was J & J Mather, new Society members of Duns, Berwickshire.

Females meanwhile sold to a top of 1400gns for an unhaltered in calf heifer out of Tillbridge Magnolia and sired by Bradbury Evan, Tillbridge Olga, was in calf to Kinaston Henry VIII. She caught the eye of pedigree breeder John Bradley of Skipton, N Yorkshire. She was offered for sale by breeder JR Ingle of Corringham, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.

Also at the sale was the first portion of the dispersal of the Douthwaite Blonde herd for Mr Les Ford of Hutton-le-Hole, York, who is looking forward to his retirement. Some extremely useful beefy animals, the top price in this section, which saw a very near total clearance, was 2400gns for unserved heifer Douthwatie Rosette, born April 2000. She was sired by Wiveton Mohawk (Drop) and out of Kirton Irma (Van).

Breed enthusiast George Mitchell of Hutton-in-the-Forest, Skelton, Penrith was the successful bidder.Close behind at 2300gns was Artington Rufus (bred by AJ Brown of Godalming, Surrey) an April 2000 born bull, out of Artington Neathe Bella and by Druk Nenuphar. He was purchased by GKS Wilson & Sons of Marwood, Barnard Castle.

Averages:
4 Senior Bulls 2808.75
10 Junior Bulls 2226.00
14 Bulls in Total 2392.50
1 Cow in Calf 997.50
5 Heifer in Calf 1207.50
11 Maiden Heifer 730.23
17 Females in Total 886.32
Douthwaite Herd Dispersal
26 Females 884.02
1 Bull 2415.00