Hillhead Flute Tops Blonde Ballymena Sale at 3,400gns

A packed ringside saw the first British Blonde Society sale at Ballymena gain 75% clearance for the sale of pedigree bulls.

Hillhead Flute the twenty one month old bull from M Rodgers and son from Ballynahinch weighing 938 kg achieved the highest bid of the day at 3,400gns seeing the hammer fall to R Fulton from Dungiven, Co.Londonderry.

Flute,  sired by Palace and grandson of Sauveur; both French bulls , took the eye of judge Rodney Arbuckle of the Breezemount herd who placed this smart bull from the Hillhead herd Supreme Champion.

The second highest priced bull of the day was sixteen month old Classic Final, from                 D McCuskers herd from Castlewellan, Co.Down. Sired by Droit Crystal, grandson of Ardmore Steakhouse weighing 798kg, this young bull went to local breeder H Griffin from Ballymena for 3,200gns to join his Drumraymond herd.

Reserve champion of the show Silverwood Gregor shown by Neil McKnight was sought after by J Todd of Ballycastle, Co.Antrim for 2,600gns. Weighing 690kgs at thirteen months this young bull was sired by Ashtonlodge Tyson.

Cromkill Gaul was another bull that was knocked down at 2,600gns, this time to N McConnell from Cookstown, Co.Tyrone. Twelve month old Gaul, bred by another local breeder N McBride from Ballymena weighed 606kg, having been sired by homebred bull Cromkill Drew he was also the grandson to Fronfedw Arawn and Blackwater Jockey.

Cromkill Gary stablemate to Cromkill Gaul, from N McBrides herd, sired by Welsh bull Fronfedw Arawn weighed 712kg at fourteen months. Having seen the hammer fall at 2,500gns he sees his way to G Douglas from Limavady, Co.Londonderry.

Average: 2,444gns (auctioneer – Graham Loughery)