Carlisle Limousin bull preview

After the lacklustre trade of Stirling, Limousin breeders will be hoping for better fortune in Carlisle this weekend and a quick flick through the catalogue certainly holds some hope for them.

Of course it’s always hard to pick bulls purely on paper, but once again I’ve done my best and pulled out a selection which may be somewhere among the money. It’s anyone’s guess what the top price will be come Saturday, but I suspect the ever youthful David Tomlinson will be aiming to get close to the 65 mark he himself hit last week.

Not that this milestone birthday means DT will be hanging up the gavel, after 49 years with H? and H there’s still a few selling days left yet my spies reassure me. Although I suspect he may take in a few more Sunderland games when possible!

Anyway, back to the real purpose of this post, previewing the catalogue for this weekend. There is, sadly, little in the first couple of classes which has caught my eye, with my first pick being Bailea Elpasso (lot 105), this is a Salomon son out of Bailea Tahiti, a Marron daughter which goes back to Greensons Gigolo, an interesting combination of breeding which could yield something special.

Next on the list is Redskins Enzo (lot 111), this is by Rocky and out of Roughley Uncanny, a Smithson Olympic daughter. The interesting point here is his +52 beef value, although he does carry a -7.6 calving ease figure which could deter a few.

After that it is the very next bull, Carmorn Eurostar (lot 112) which I’ve marked. This Haltcliffe Vermount son is out of Carmorn Penny, a prolific dam by Pelletstown Ken, who’s previous sons have sold to 14,000gns, with one going privately to Genus. He has a beef value of +24, but once again could be a hard calver with a calving figure of -8.

Following on I’ve marked Maraiscote Earl (lot 125), this is another Virginia Andy son from this stable and is out of Maraiscote Stella, a Tyddyn Mei daughter. He is very similarly bred to the Nimmos’ successful bulls from the October sale, so might be worth a look.

Then it’s on to Hafodlas Ewyn (lot 138), this is a Bailea Spunkie son out of Hafodlas Swyn, combining two of the breed’s greats in his pedigree in the form of Greensons Gigolo and Broadmeadows Cannon. His dam is maternal sister to 19,000gns bull Hafodlas Valour.

One from Dinmore is next, being Dinmore Elite (lot 142). This is a Wilodge Tonka son out of 9000gns dam Newstart Uptowngirl and combines some great female lines, including Sarkley Nellie. ET bred he has a beef value of +34.

Another with Newstart breeding catches my eye too, this being Queenshead Espana, a Cloughhead Umpire daughter out of Newstart Buddleia, a Greenhill Viper daughter that was the calf at foot shown with Newstart Upsydaisy when she won the Royal Show in 2007. He has a beef value of +24.

It’s quite a big jump to my next pick and it is curiosity that’s got me looking here at Cloughhead Eagle (lot 184). This is by Baril, an imported French sire from which no progeny have yet been offered for sale. He’s out of Cloughhead Amanda, a Cloughhead Umpire daughter. I’ll be interested to see what the Baril sons (and there are a few forward from Cloughhead) are like.

Next pick for me is Craigatoke Eastwood (lot 193). He is a son of Haltcliffe Underwriter out of Craigatoke Redrose, a Haltcliffe Hercules daughter. With two lines to Cannon he has a beef value of +41.

Then it’s on to Annandale Eclipse (lot 216), this is a Nenuphar son out of Bernish Serena, an Opera daughter. He has a beef value of +23 and is full brother to 12,000gns Annadale Arena and Annadale Beauty which was reserve junior champion at Balmoral in 2007.

Following that I’ve picked Cowin Excel (lot 232). This is an Objat son out of Cowin Val, a Mas Du Clo daughter, so combines some interesting lines and is sure to be full of muscle. He stood first at last year’s Royal Welsh and has a beef value of +36.

My next pick is Kaprico Eravelle (lot 235), full brother to the 18,000gns October 2009 Carlisle champion Kaprico Davelle. He is by Tonka and out of Karpice Ravelle, a Gigolo daughter.This one has a beef value of +36.

Next on from that for me is Culnagechan Evanalmighty (lot 241). Sired by Cloughhead Umpire, he is out of Glenrock Usherette, a Romeo daughter. He has a beef value of +34 and could be an interesting one to see in the flesh.

Another from the Dinmore entry catches my eye in the form of Dinmore Extra (lot 252), this is by homebred sire Dinmore Bulldozer, a Tonka son out of Fleethill Sal, and is out of Dinmore Athena, the female and reserve breed champion from the Royal Welsh in 2007. He has a beef value of +26.

It’s a bit of a jump to my next choice Glenrock Eagle (lot 286), that’s not to say there won’t be some decent bulls in between, but I’m trying to keep this to a select preview. Eagle is a Fieldson Alfy son out of Glenrock Spangle, a Kype Interrogate daughter. His dam is also dam of Glenrock Victory, 13,000gns in May 2006, and Glenrock Bianca, 20,000gns ar Red Ladies in 2007. He has a beef value of +29.

Next up is a Millbrook Tanko son, Cowin Enton ( lot 297). This is out of Banon Redbreast, an Ivanhoe daughter, making Enton full brother to Cowin Anton, sold for 26,000gns in February 2007. He has a beef value of +31.

Then comes Grahams Equity (lot 299). Sired by Millgate Clinker, he is out of Lisette, one of the best breeding cows for Robert Graham who’s four sons have averaged 26,250gns at Carlisle. This one has a beef value of +27.

Getting on through the classes the next mark for me is against Kaprico Enigma. This is an Ampertaine Abracadabra son out of Kaprico Ulimate, a Ronick Hawk daughter which was champion at the Royal in 2006. He has a beef value of +39.

My final two picks both come from Welsh breeders, with the first being Bailea Ensign (lot 318), this Salomon son is out of Bailea Josephine, a Gigolo daughter and has a beef value of +26.

The last one I’ve marked is Nebo Elir (lot 319). This is by Nebo Amazon, a Nenuphar son out of Nebo Roberta, dam of last February’s 16,000gns bull Nebo Director and also of Nebo Dynamite. He is out of Nebo Bunis, a Neuf daughter and has a beef value of +39.

That’s it for my selection, but no doubt you’ll all have your own thoughts on things, so by all means feel free to add your comments below. Charolais and Simmental previews will follow in due course……