Show and Sale of Blonde d'Aquitaine Pedigree Bulls & Females THURSDAY 10th OCTOBER 2002
Report

DONCOMBE BLONDES DELIGHT AT 3500GNS

Champion , Doncombe Saracen

Blonde breeder David Knight of Chippenham, Wiltshire was delighted with his top price of 3500gns at the Blonde Society Sale at Carlisle on Thursday 10 October 2002, having been placed as Champion at the Show earlier.

Doncombe Saracen, a Druk Lance son out of homebred Frangipani, caught the eye of RJ Barrett & Co, of Stoke Lacey, Bromyard, Hereford, who own the Rickley Blonde herd. Saracen had a sale day weight of 937kgs and a Beef Value of BA26, he was born in May 2001.

David's second offering Doncombe Sassafras, an April 2001 born Druk Lance son, out of Doncombe Joufflu, sold for the second top price of the day 3200gns. Non Society members A & B Warcup of Berwick Upon Tween bought the bull, who had weighed in at 863kgs and had a Beef Value of BA18.

Three bulls then sold at 3000gns - firstly David Knight's partner Sue Cavilla also of Wiltshire, offered Dodimead Slogger, a May 2001 born Druk Lance son, out of Doncombe Honesty. He had a Beef Value of BA20 and a sale day weight of 872kgs. He was snapped up by the Banks Blonde herd belonging to D & SM Bradley of Brampton, Cumbria.

Blackwater Scania

Again at 3000gns was Ian and Chris Calderbank, of Mundon, Malden, in Essex, who offered his bull Blackwater Scania, an April 2001 born Childwick patrick son, out of Blackwater Oeshia. With a Beef Value of BA22, and a sale weight of 919kgs, this bull had been awarded the Senior Male and Reserve Overall Championship in the pre sale show. He was bought by Mr R Barden of Skene, Aberdeenshire.

The Third at 3000gns was Freefield Saggie, an April 2001 born Lutin son, out of Freefield Maggie. He was bred by P & J Don of Insch, Aberdeenshire, but offered for sale by L Laird and Sons of East Wemyss, Fife. He had a Beef Value of BA20 and a sale wight of some 839kgs. Mr F Rosie of South Ronaldsay, Ork ney, was the ultimate bidder.

Close behind at 2800gns was anoth bull from Ian and Chris Calderbank of Essex. Blackwater Solvit, with a Beef Value of BA19 was by Blackwater Jockey and out of Blackwater Lisa. He was quickly purchased by NI Club Chairman Davy Thompson of Dungiven, Co Londonderry, Northern Ireland for his Glenvale Blonde herd.

Meanwhile the next top price at 2400gns was Megray Serendipity, a September 01 born Hadley Legend son, out of Sandbrook Eilish. He was offered for sale by Graham Barber of Crediton, Devon and sold to Peter and James Weightman, of Peterlee, County Durham for their Hallfield Blonde herd, which was awarded the prize of Supreme Champion Blonde herd, the previous evening as the results of the Society's National Herd Competition were announced.

Barry Harper of Barston, Solihull, West Midlands offered a lovely 1998 born cow and heifer calf by Genus Hero, and out of Bradnock Imogen, homebred Bradnock Orchid, sold at 1900gns to Mr J Reddaway of Okehampton, Devon, who is setting up a new Blonde herd. Orchid had a Beef Value of BA19.

In all, a good day's trade for the Blondes, with many purchasers being totally new faces to the breed. Again, quality sold well.

Averages:
4 Senior Bulls £1496.25
6 Intermediate Bulls £2800.00
5 Junior Bulls £2940.00
15 BULLS £2320.50
1 Cow & Calf £1995.00