The May fixture of the Galbraith Stirling Bull Sales, conducted by United Auctions, delivered a sale that will be remembered not only for its buoyant trade but for the story behind its leading honours. In a notable outcome, the 16,000gns mark was reached twice, first by the overall champion and then matched by the reserve overall champion, providing a powerful headline for the sale. Nine pedigree bulls sold to a top price of 16,000gns and an average of £9625.
Judging duties were placed in the capable hands of Angus Fettes, from Essil Salers. Farming at Fochabers, his involvement with Salers began in 2012 when he sought a hardy, easy-calving breed capable of fitting around off-farm commitments.
Taking overall championship honours was the standout winner of the junior class, Whitebog Ultimo from the MacKenzie family, Fortrose. This July 2024-born son of Napoleon out of the homebred Whitebog Jinny combined style with correctness and power, to top a strong line-up. The win carried particular significance, as Ultimo had been identified at home by the late Alister “Ala” MacKenzie as one of his standout bulls prior to his recent passing. His success in the show ring marked a fitting tribute to a highly respected stockman, whose influence continues within the Whitebog herd.
The following day’s sale added a further layer to the story, when Whitebog Ultimo went on to realise 16,000gns, selling to respected pedigree breeders G S McClymont, Newton Stewart, matching the top price of the day.
Standing reserve overall champion was the senior bull class winner, Rednock Unorthodox from Gill & Malcolm Pye. A March 2024-born son of Icare out of Rednock Nalani, he impressed the judge to head the senior section. He too went on to share the sale honours, setting the early pace at 16,000gns when he sold to local pedigree breeder, D Murray Lyle, Dunblane.
The senior class proved a strong showcase for the Rednock herd, where they filled the top three places. Following Rednock Unorthodox was Rednock Umar, an April 2024-born son of the imported Senateur out of Rednock Chloe, he went on to sell for 9,000gns to R H Kennedy, Isle of Bute.
In third place stood another Senateur son, Rednock Uruk, a May 2024 born Senateur son out of Rednock Precious, who also attracted strong bidding in the sale ring to realise 8,000gns when purchased by James Shennan & Sons, Girvan.
Breaking the Rednock run in fourth was the oldest bull forward, Approach Farm Utah from Angus Gowthorpe, followed by the only polled entry, Rigel Upsilon Poll. This May 2024-born son of Rigel Polaris Poll went on to secure 8,000gns, selling to A G Howie, Peterhead. Completing the class was another consistent entry from the Gowthorpe family in Approach Farm Uranium.
The junior class ultimately produced the overall champion, with Whitebog Ultimo leading the line. Standing second was Marwood Ultimate from R A & J Blyth, a September 2024-born son of Baron out of Marwood Oreo. He later sold for 6,000gns to W Barbour, Dumfries. In third place was the youngest bull in the yard, Cleuchhead Vigo from the Livesey family, by Rockefeller out of an imported Fourtet dam, Nadia. He matched that 6,000gns price when purchased by pedigree breeders, R A Austin, Castle Douglas. Fourth place went to another Blyth entry, Marwood Universal, a Variegeois son out of Marwood Jellybaby, which also realised 6,000gns, selling to pedigree breeders D Howat, Ayrshire. Rednock Vesuvius, added another placing for the Pye family in fifth, and went on to sell for 7,500gns to J & R Rankin Ltd, Stirling, while Cleuchhead Vinnie completed the class.
The bull sale provided a strong endorsement of the judging, with both the overall champion and reserve overall champion leading the trade at 16,000gns and beyond the headline prices, the depth of demand was evident, with multiple bulls selling between 6,000gns and 9,000gns.
Overall, the fixture combined a high-quality show with a bouyant trade, but it was the success of Whitebog Ultimo, both in the show and sale, that ensured this Stirling fixture will be remembered as much for its story as for its prices.
Top price (twice): 16,000gns
Average (9 bulls): £9,625
Clearance (bulls): 75%
COMMERCIAL FEMALES DREW WIDESPREAD DEMAND
The commercial female trade proved strong, achieving a 100% clearance. J Anderson & Partners, Canonbie, were among the most active purchasers. They secured three Rednock females, Rednock Alba at 2,900gns, Rednock Tilly Poll at 2,800gns and Rednock Darling at 2,500gns, before going on to invest further in the Cleuchhead consignment. Joining them on the trailer home were two cows with calves at foot, Cleuchhead Mhairi 1731 at 3,900gns and Cleuchhead Mhairi 1677 at 3,800gns.
A strong local trade was evident from J & D Mitchell, Gargunnock, who led the Rednock section when purchasing Rednock Aria at 3,200gns. They returned later in the day to secure three Cleuchhead outfits, topping the section with Cleuchhead Gentle 1819 at 4,000gns, alongside Cleuchhead Hope 1317 at 3,800gns and Cleuchhead Hope 1315 at 3,200gns.
Burnton Farms, Laurencekirk, also assembled a useful group, taking home Rednock Athens at 2,900gns, alongside Rednock Dakota, Lynda and Catherine, each at 2,600gns.
Welsh Society members ASL & DJ Lewis, Powys, showed keen interest, purchasing Rednock Loretta at 3,000gns, along with Rednock Alaw Poll, and Rednock Ohio all at 2,600gns, ensuring a strong draft headed south.
Local farmer, D Findlay & Sons, Stirling, were regular bidders throughout, securing multiple lots including Rednock Darling at 2,800gns, Rednock Nadiya at 2,700gns, and several others between 2,400gns and 2,500gns.
J Duff & Son, Laurencekirk, purchased Rednock Mecca at 2,800gns, while James Lawrie Farming, Ratho, purchased a sizeable group including Rednock Mariah at 2,500gns, Rednock Coconut and Taylor Poll at 2,400gns a piece. For 2,300gns he also took home Rednock Trio while Rednock Toucan and Rednock Salome joined him at 2,200gns each.
In the Cleuchhead section, Society members Beoch Farmers, Stranraer, secured Cleuchhead Gentle 1600 at 3,800gns and Cleuchhead Mhairi 1742 at 3,900gns, while J & J Craig, Strathaven, purchased Cleuchhead Merry 1624 and Cleuchhead Joile 1683, both at 3,800gns. D Strachan & Son completed the section when taking home Cleuchhead Mhairi 1899 at 3,800gns.
Top price : 4,000gns
Average (34): £3097.50
Clearance: 100%
The pedigree female section was topped by Rednock Carla, a March-born heifer by Senateur out of Rednock Clemmy, which sold for 4,000gns. Offered in-calf, she attracted steady interest before finding her new home with pedigree breeder L Howat, Ayr. Look out for this female on the show circuit.
Top price : 4,000gns
Average (1): £3097.50
Clearance: 100%
Pedigree Female clearance: 100%
SHOW RESULTS
Overall Champion
Lot 615 – Whitebog Ultimo (A. MacKenzie)
Reserve Overall Champion
Lot 608 – Rednock Unorthodox (Gill & Malcolm Pye)
Class 1
- Lot 608 – Rednock Unorthodox
- Lot 611 – Rednock Umar
- Lot 613 – Rednock Uruk
- Lot 606 – Approach Farm Utah
- Lot 612 – Rigel Upsilon Poll
- Lot 610 – Approach Farm Uranium
Class 2
- Lot 615 – Whitebog Ultimo
- Lot 616 – Marwood Ultimate
- Lot 620 – Cleuchhead Vigo
- Lot 617 – Marwood Universal
- Lot 618 – Rednock Vesuvius
- Lot 619 – Cleuchhead Vinnie
SALE RESULTS
Pedigree Bulls
16,000gns – Lot 615 Whitebog Ultimo
16,000gns – Lot 608 Rednock Unorthodox
9,000gns – Lot 611 Rednock Umar
8,000gns – Lot 612 Rigel Upsilon Poll
8,000gns – Lot 613 Rednock Uruk
7,500gns – Lot 618 Rednock Vesuvius
6,000gns – Lot 616 Marwood Ultimate
6,000gns – Lot 617 Marwood Universal
6,000gns – Lot 620 Cleuchhead Vigo
Pedigree Haltered Females
4,000gns – Rednock Carla
Commercial Salers Females
4,000gns – Cleuchhead Gentle 1819
3,900gns – Cleuchhead Mhairi 1731
3,900gns – Cleuchhead Mhairi 1742
3,800gns – Cleuchhead Hope 1317
3,800gns – Cleuchhead Gentle 1600
3,800gns – Cleuchhead Merry 1624
3,800gns – Cleuchhead Mhairi 1677
3,800gns – Cleuchhead Joile 1683
3,800gns – Cleuchhead Mhairi 1899
3,200gns – Cleuchhead Hope 1315
3,200gns – Rednock Aria
3,000gns – Rednock Loretta
2,900gns – Rednock Alba
2,900gns – Rednock Athens
2,800gns – Rednock Tilly Poll
2,800gns – Rednock Mecca
2,800gns – Cammock pure heifer
2,600gns – Rednock Nadiya
2,600gns – Rednock Dakota
2,600gns – Rednock Lynda
2,600gns – Rednock Alaw Poll
2,600gns – Rednock Ohio
2,600gns – Rednock Catherine
2,500gns – Rednock Daphne
2,500gns – Rednock Darling
2,500gns – Rednock Turandot
2,500gns – Rednock Andromache
2,500gns – Rednock Mariah
2,400gns – Rednock Coconut
2,400gns – Rednock Camilla
2,400gns – Rednock Pearl
2,400gns – Rednock Taylor Poll
2,300gns – Rednock Trio
2,200gns – Rednock Toucan
2,200gns – Rednock Salome
1,800gns – 3 × SM × SA heifers (each)
