Ampertaine Magnum leads Carlisle Limousin sale to 70,000gns

The British Limousin Cattle Society’s annual autumn show and sale of bulls peaked at 70,000gns on Saturday 14 October at Borderway Mart, Carlisle, with averages levelling at £7,018.27, up on the year by £914.10 for 20 more bulls sold with a clearance rate of 77%.

While 14 bulls made five figures or more, 60% of the bulls forward sold for between 4,000 and 8,000gns.

Commenting on the sale, BLCS chief executive Iain Kerr said: “Commercial buyers again underpinned the trade and a feature of the day was the emphasis they were placing on bulls that had good calving figures along with length, shape and good tops.”

See also: Limousins sell to 35,000gns at Carlisle

Sale leader was the reserve intermediate champion Ampertaine Magnum from James McKay, Maghera, Co Derry. This April 2016-born bull, by Loosebear Fantastic and out of Ampertaine Fancypants, comes from the Kype Sharon family, which has bred many top-quality cattle, including the 38,000gns Ampertaine Foreman.

Ampertaine Magnum

Ampertaine Magnum from James McKay, Maghera, Co Derry, sold for 70,000gns to Ian Handley © Wayne Hutchinson

Buyer was Ian Handley, Ingleton, Lancashire.

Next best, at 28,000gns, was the intermediate and reserve overall champion, Sarkley Moray from Messrs EH Pennie and Sons, Powys. The April 2016-born natural calf is one of the first sons to be offered for sale by the 13,000gns Ampertaine Interest. His dam, Sarkley Hosanna, is a daughter of Sarkley Oriana, who was a prolific show winner through 1999 and 2000.

He was knocked down in half share to GJ Lee and CM Lloyd, Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire, and AH and KJ Booth, Aston, Sheffield.

Three bulls sold at 20,000gns.

The first was Gorrycam Major from Gorrycam Limousins, Newry, Co Down. He is maternal brother to Gorrycam Hunter, who made 28,000gns at Carlisle in October 2013. Buyer was J Mulholand, Great Orton, Carlisle.  

Next at 20,000gns was the June 2016-born Ballinloan Mountain from Stuart Fotheringham, Dunkeld, Perth and Kinross. By the noted Wilodge Cerberus son Ampertaine Foreman, he is out of Ballinloan Gaga. With Mr Fotheringham retaining a share, he was sold to Albert Howie, Peterhead, Aberdeenshire.

The third bull at the same money was the June 2016-born and reserve junior champion Grahams Michael from R and J Graham, Bridge of Allen, Stirling. He sold in a two-way split to EW Quick and Sons, Devon, and Craig Ridley, Wigton, Cumbria.

Averages: 36 senior bulls, £5,605.83; 41 intermediate bulls, £8,183.60; 36 junior bulls, £7,103.54; 113 bulls overall, £7,018.27.

(Harrison and Hetherington)

28,000gns: Sarkley Moray (pictured below) from Messrs EH Pennie and Sons, Powys, sold to Messrs Lloyd and Messrs Booth

Sarkley Moray

© Wayne Hutchinson

20,000gns: Gorrycam Major from Gorrycam Limousins, Northern Ireland, sold to J Mulholand, Carlisle

Gorrycam Major

© Wayne Hutchinson

20,000gns: Ballinloan Mountain from Stuart Fotheringham, Dunkeld, sold to Albert Howie, Peterhead with half share retained

Ballinloan Mountain

© Wayne Hutchinson

20,000gns: Grahams Michael from R and J Graham, Stirling, sold to EW Quick and Sons, Devon, and Craig Ridley, Cumbria

Graham Michael

© Wayne Hutchinson

16,000gns: Haltcliffe Matthew from Craig Ridley, Cumbria, sold to RS Harker and Son, Kendal

Haltcliffe Matthew

© Wayne Hutchinson

15,000gns: Haltcliffe Mike from Craig Ridley, Wigton, sold to JA Wood and Sons, Shrewsbury

Haltcliffe MIke

© Wayne Hutchinson

15,000gns: Sarkley Mercury from EH Pennie and Son, Powys, sold to Gary Bell, Lockerbie

Sarkley Mercury

© Wayne Hutchinson

15,000gns: Trueman Mozart from Henry Savage and Sons, Co Down, sold to A Padfield, Norfolk

Trueman MOzart

© Wayne Hutchinson