Carlisle Limousin bull preview

And here, better late than never, is my pick from the catalogue for this weekend’s Limousin sale in Carlisle.

Once again I’ve tried to be quite selective in my choices, so there will doubtless be bulls I’ve missed off which you like the look of and of course there will also be something I’ve selected which leaves you scratching your head. As ever, it’s only my selection, so feel free to add your own picks and comments at the bottom…

Right then, first up for me is Pyebrook Explosive (lot 108), from E J Green. This one is by Penyrheol Carlos, a maternal brother to Penyrheol Sam, sire of 100,000gns Haltcliffe Vermount and is out of Ashledge Velvet, a Greenwell Major daughter. Explosive has had a successful summer show season and his breeding might just appeal to a few.

Another with a successful show record is Tomschoice Fashionabull (114) from Jamie Cooper. This Sympa son is out of Tomschoice Cosmopolitan and was male champion at Great Yorkshire. The combination of Sympa and Sarkey Topknot could make him worth a further look.

And those looking for good female lines could do worse than mark off Beechvale Fantastic from Malcolm Megarry (lot 125). Sired by Wilodge Tonka, he is ouf of Ronick Nainsi, a Talent daughter out of Broadmeadows Ainsi. Nainsi was champion at the Highland and is a full sister to noted cow Ronick McAinsi.

Next up is another combining some top female blood, Wilodge Fermount (lot 133). this Haltcliffe Vermount son is out of Wilodge’s great breeding cow Ravanelle. This is a rare combination of the top UK Limousin blood, but his -11 calving value may concern some.

Vermount breeding features in my next pick too, Emslies Figaro (lot 153). This Procters Cavalier son is out of Ballymoney Utopia, a Ferry daughter and was reserve interbreed champion at Turriff. He carries a muscle score of +6.5, but also a calving value of -12,1, so may be off the list as far as heifers are concerned.

For intrigue’s sake I’ll be interested to see what the first bull offered by Charlie Boden’s Sportsmans herd comes out like. Sportsmans Forever (lot 155) is by 50,000gns Wilodge Cerberus and out of Whinfellpark Clover, a 9000gns Regal daughter.

A relatively new sire line is behind the next on my list, Garnedd Fantastic (lot 161). This one is by Attirant, which combines both Neuf and Mas Du Clo, and out of Garness Beti, a Broomfield Regentcy daughter. He’s one I expect to be fairly extreme for muscle and could suit a few top suckled calf producers.

The dam line of Larkhill Firmont (lot 164) is sure to be a draw for many potential buyers, with this Vermount son being out of Larkhill Countess, a Vantastic daughter out of the great breeding Carmorn Penny. He has a beef value of +30.

And a combination of some of the greatest sires in the breed comes next in the form of Gritstonee Firecracker (lot 173). This Objat son is out of Millington Candy, a Mas Du Clo daughter and has Dauphin and Cannon in his back pedigree. With a beef value of +53 he’s likely to be one for anyone chasing the figured bulls.

Northern Irish bull Bridgeford Floyd is on my list too (lot 178). This Haltcliffe Underwriter son is out of ILC champion Bridgeford Saskia, and has Cannon and Gigolo in his back pedigree.

Again combining some strong breeding is Millington Ferrari (lot 181). Sired by Objat, this one is out of Brockhurst Option and carries Ronick Matador, Cannon, Dauphin and Broadmeadows McAinsi in his pedigree. Top that with a beef value of +49 and he certainly looks a fair package on paper at least.

I’ve taken a fairly big jump through the catalogue to my next choice, Ballybane Fatherted (lot 220). This Greensons Gigolo son is out of Claylake Naomi, a Cannon daughter and the combination of this breeding should make for a fair bull.

Then it’s on to one from the Irvine family, Anside Foreman (lot 234). This son of Frewstown Breakdance, a bull which is breeding well for the Irvines, is out of Anside Stella, a Bewick Orbit daughter. This one has a beef value of +40 and was reserve male champion at the Highland as well as first at the Welsh and second at the Limousin National Show.

It’s the Haltcliffe herd which is the home of my next choice, Haltcliffe Favori (lot 263). Sired by the great Sympa, Favori is out of the noted cow Renoncule, dam of Vermount. He comes with a beef value of +42 and should be worthy of a good look.

After that I’ve gone for one from John Logan, Homebyres Fogan (lot 271). Sired by Homebyres Vanhee, sire of a number of good selling bulls for the Logans, he’s out of Homebyres Topaz and has a strong beef value of +44. He was reserve junior male champion at the National Limousin Show.

Following close behind him is Culnagechan Fantastic (lot 273) from Derek Hume. This Carmorn Copilot son is out of Ardbrack Revedenuit and has a wealth of breeding, including Wilodge Vantastic, Carmorn Penny and Cannon in his back lines.

A black bull is after him on my pick and this is Goldies Black Forever, an Edwards Sirloin son out of Goldies Bimbo, an SLVL Beef daughter out of SLVL Dutchess Olivia. This one has a beef value of +43 and combined with his homozygous black and polled status should make him appeal to many.

We’re getting towards the back of the book now and in the final run of picks, with Ampertaine Ferrari (lot 287). This Bailea Bullion son is out of Ampertaine Candice and again has a number of leading names behind him, including Requin, Gigolo, Sympa and Cloughhead Lord. To go with that he has a beef value of +43 and could be a star in the making.

Another Goldies bull is my penultimate choice, with this being Goldies Factor (lot 295). Sired by 50,000gns Cerberus, this one is out of Java and has a beef value of +42. Both his male and female lines make him worthy of a closer look.

And the final choice for me is Heathmount Fortune (lot 305). Also by Bailea Bullion, he is out of Heathmount Belgian. He has the benefit of two lines to Requin and a dose of Gigolo too, so should have plenty of muscle and style.

So, for the final time for the foreseeable future (this weekend’s sale in Carlisle will be my last for Taking Stock), that’s my pick of the bulls on offer. Time will once again tell how right, or wrong I’ve got it, but feel free to pitch in with your thoughts in the meantime and I look forward to seeing many of you at Borderway on Friday….