10,000gns Larkhill Rembrandt Limousin leader at Ballymena

THE British Limousin Cattle Society’s May Day sale at Ballymena Livestock Market was dominated by

commercial buyers, demon-strating yet again consistent support for the number one terminal sire.

The sale saw a clearance rate of 89 peer cent with 39 of the 44 bulls forward selling to a good average of £3,839, up slightly on last year’s sale. Females also sold well, with a clearance rate of 78 per cent and an average of £1,864. Fourteen females sold of the 18 forward.

Topping the trade at 10,000gns was Larkhill Rembrandt from Brian and Cahir McAuley, Larkhill Farm, Antrim. This November 2020 born bull is by Whinfellpark Lomu and out of the dam Larkhill Jenny. Rembrandt boasts two sets of the F94L myostatin gene and stood first in his class at the pre-sale show earlier in the day. Rembrandt heads home with Limousin breeder W Sherrard of the Greenvale herd to Coleraine.

The second highest price of 6200gns was given for Ballyrobin Realmccoy, home bred by Joan Gilliland, Antrim. August 2020 born Realmccoy is sired by Whinfellpark Lomu and out of Ballyrobin Lugs, a Netherhall Doubleoseven daughter. Realmccoy boasts double F94L myostatin and stood first in his class at the pre-sale show. He was tapped down to Andrew Ferguson, Newtownstewart.

Next up was Overall Champion Carmorn Radar, a December 2020 born bull fetching 6000gns. Home bred by C & F McAuley, Toomebridge, Radar is an Ampertaine Nugent son and out of the dam Carmorn Giroflee. This bull was purchased by J Morrow of the Saintfield Limousin herd.

Henry Savage and Sons, Cully-hanna, brought forward Trueman Rollingstone, the Reserve Senior Male Champion, which sold for 5500gns. A September 2020 born bull sired by Grahams Samson and out of the dam Trueman Indie, an Ampertaine Elgin daughter, Rollingstone has two sets of the Q204X gene and a beef value of LM33. He was purchased by W J C Stewart, Aberdeenshire.

Bernish Romeo, bred by Kieran McCrory, Sixmilecross, sold for 5100gns. This October 2020 born bull is by Ampertaine Foreman and out of one of the top cows in the herd, Bernish Julifortune. Romeo boasts double F94L myostatin and a beef value of LM42, putting him in the top 10 per cent of the breed. He heads home with P Kealey to Dungiven.

Following closely behind was 5000gns Ballyrobin Risteard, br-ought forward for sale by Joan Gilliland, Antrim. Born September 2020, Risteard is sired by Loyal and out of the dam Millburn Mags, which was purchased at the Millburn dispersal sale in 2020. Risteard was Reserve Overall Champion in the pre-sale show and was snapped up by Frank King, Warrenpoint.

Also consigned by Joan Gilliland was Ballyrobin Rolex, a December 2020 born bull sired by Haltcliffe Newton and out of Ballyrobin Heidi, a Wilodge Cerebus daughter. Also selling for 5000gns, Rolex displays double F94L myostatin and was Reserve Intermediate Champion earlier in the day. Rolex caught the eye of Aaron Proctor, Cross.

The top priced female for the day, who rocked her way to 2700gns, was Female Champion Craigatoke Rue, home bred by Martin Conway, Plumbridge. October 2020 born Rue is by Norman Ely and out of the dam Craigatoke Nan. She was purchased by the judge Blair Duffton, Aberdeenshire.

Crawford Brothers, Maugires-bridge, brought forward two fe-

males, Rathkeeland Rita and Rathkeeland Rose, which both achieved 2400gns. Rita, a December 2020 born female, has double F94L myostatin and a beef value LM43. She is sired by Haltcliffe Nijinsky and out of the dam Erne Jemima. Rose, also December 2020 born, has double F94L myostatin and a beef value of LM37.

She is sired by Gunnerfleet Mack and out of the dam Erne Mandy. Both ladies head home to Keady with Kieran Farrell.

Up next was 2200gns Carnew Sara, a January 2021 born heifer from J & J Aiken, Dromore, County Down. Sara is sired by Goldies Jackpot and out of the home bred dam Carnew Ladyjane.

She has a beef value of LM49 and was purchased by Greg Armstrong, Ballymena.

Pointhouse Sunshine, bred by M & K Diamond, Garvagh, sold for 2000gns. This June 2021 born calf is by Aultside Meanmachine and out of the dam Pointhouse Lookinggood. Her new home is with Donal McIlwaine, Cushendall.

The NI Limousin Cattle Club would like to thank Blair Duffton, who travelled from Aberdeenshire to judge the pre-sale show. Blair commented: “It was an honour to be asked to judge today and it has been a great day both outside and inside the show ring.

“My task has not been made any easier by the quality of cattle brought forward in the classes and I wish exhibitors all the best for a good sale and good prices.”

Thanks also go to Countryside Services (Caisley Tags) for its sponsorship of the Male and Female Champions and to the auctioneers Ballymena Livestock Market.