Determined bidding for Bailea Limousins peaks at 22,000gns
Mid-Wales Limousin breeders Brian and Susan Jones and their son, Matthew, left Carlisle over 172,000 better off on Saturday, 17 December, after selling 60 Limousin females from their Bailea herd.
And major buyer Smiths of Bloxham topped the trade taking a heifer at 22,000gns and another at 20,000gns.
Peter Smith, who runs the Ironstone herd at Banbury and last year paid 50,000gns for a heifer at this sale, was in spending mood again and paid out 67,000gns to dominate the trade with the five highest prices.
A capacity crowd crammed around the ring in anticipation of some fierce bidding and while there was intense interest in several of the sale’s gems, no-one could match Mr Smith’s determination to leave with the very best of the Bailea offering.
It was another outstanding crop of heifers by the imported sire Requin – sire of last year’s world record-breaking 50,000gns heifer – that sent the bids flying.
Most fancied was Bailea Umelia who had been running with Seringa, a son of Navire.
Out of an Imposant dam, she impressed with tremendous width and fleshing and joins the Ironstone herd at 22,000gns.
Mr Smith’s 20,000gns call came just minutes earlier when he snapped up Bailea Velvet. Another Requin daughter, she is out of a Bunnswell Dermot dam and had also been running with Seringa.
Buying back into the family behind the 50,000gns heifer, Mr Smith gave 10,000gns for the April 2004-bred heifer Bailea Virtuous.
By Seringa, she is out of a Marron-sired daughter, bred from the dam of the record breaker.
By Seringa and out of an Ocelot-sired dam came the maiden heifer Bailea Veleta who made 8000gns to Mr Smith.
Last to join his wagon was the maiden heifer Bailea Vermeille – a Requin daughter out of a Mythe cow bought at 7000gns.
The Springsett herd owned by Stirlingshire breeders Dougie McBeath and Sarah Jessop offered 10 cows and reached 5500gns for Ronick Tiara. Bred by Ronald Dick, this Ronick Idol heifer is out of an Ami dam.
She was suckling a bull calf at foot by the 9000gns Croftlimousin Squire.
Buyers were F and D McVicar, Argyll.
(Harrison & Hetherington).