Shellthorn dispersal leads Simmentals at Bristol

An outstanding show of cattle at the British Simmental Society sale, which included the dispersal of the Shellthorn Herd on behalf of Andy and Dianne Grossey, attracted a packed sale ring at the Bristol Sales Centre on Saturday.

The eagerly awaited dispersal of the Ilminster-based herd did not disappoint the expectant crowd, when a string of outstanding females entered the ring following a parade of the well known base cow Heywood Hannadante 28th.

The highlight of the sale, however, was a Sterling Flint daughter, Shellthorn Hannadante 6th when a keen bidding war including two telephone bidders, saw her finally knocked down for 8000gns to Messrs L J & A J Curry, Lowerdown Farm, West Lane, Felton, Somerset, to join their well known Winford Herd.

A stylish young cow born in 2003, she already has an impressive show career behind her and sold with her heifer calf Hannadante 19th, a daughter of Quanrose Kellog. She had been immediately preceded by Shellthorn Hannadante 5th another Kellog daughter also with an outstanding heifer calf at foot, Hannadante 17th, this time by Starline Pompous from the Blackford Hawk line.

Again from an outstanding show line, both she and her calf will no doubt bring further success to her new owner, Mr. Webster, Whittakers Barn Farm, Cracoe, Skipton, who paid 3600gns for the privilege. Two lots made 2400gns. Firstly to David Watkins, Shrops when he purchased yet another Kellog daughter, Shellthorne Katie 6th, with her outstanding bull calf Shellthorn Victorious at foot. Another Pompous calf with outstanding conformation, he looks like a great prospect for the future for his new owner.

Gerald and Morag Smith travelled from Drumsleed in Scotland to purchase Shellthorn Hannadante 9th also for 2400gns. Yet another of the Kellog progeny this very smart heifer was sold in calf to stock sire Shellthorn Reflex who was later to sell for 2000gns to Mr Matthews, South Molton, Devon.

The senior stock bull from Shellthorn, Starline Pompous, whose progeny had been on display throughout the sale sold to Mr Swirling, St Giles for 3500gns. His lines go back to Scottish Neff, Blackford Trident, Hockenhull Marvel, Gretna House Supersonic and Starline Decision.

Rest of the sale…………

Keen interest in the female section saw 42 of the 47 lots forward find new homes. Heading the section was Cliftonswood Beauty 4th from H J Brown, Worcs, who had taken the overall female championship earlier in the day, judged by Colin Hutchings, Brompton Regis, Dulverton, Somerset.

This stylish 2004 born daughter of Brinkton Brilliant was sold with her first heifer calf at foot, Cliftonswood Beauty 9th by Salisbury Challenger and in calf again to Camus Frontier. She was purchased for 3100gns by Mrs D Madeley, Ross-On-Wye.

Following the judges recommendation, the reserve champion female, Wishful Sunbeam from David & Christine Mills, Somerset, sold to the second top price of 2500gns when she was purchased by Pencarrow Farms, Camelford, Cornwall.

This March 2005 daughter of Brinkton Bonzo had been shown successfully as a yearling in 2006 gaining eight first prizes in her first year.

Joey Peter’s, 3rd Prize Brooklyn Bluebelle’s Lydia, from his Treetops Herd, Southampton, bred by Lynda Burditt, and sired by Woodhall Dynamite was sold for 1800gns, when she changed hands to G Doyle, Devon. She was sold in calf to Glenturk Rolex, who was purchased at Perth in 2005 for 17,000gns.

Oakhill Meierisli 15th, who stood second in her class earlier, gave the Oakhill Herd of Sylvia Wakefield her top female price of the day when she sold to D Marklove, Purton for 1600gns. Meierisli 15th, sired by Oakhill Moka was sold with her Popes Laird sired bull calf at foot, Oakhill Troy.

The trade for bulls was selective with quality bulls selling well. The January 2006 born Tilbrook Turpin from Peter Burgess, Tilbrook Farm, Lower Boddington, Daventry, Northants, was reserve male champion in the pre sale show and sold to Andrew and Yvonne Leedham, Derbyshire, for 3100gns to join their Grangewood Herd.Turpin is a son of Starline Klassik and out of Swallowhill Jessica by Brinkton Sovreign.

Messrs Bennett, Uttoxeter, saw their 20 month old Fole Nashville sired Abbotsbrook Scorpio, change hands for the second top price of 2600gns. He sold to C H Thomas, Bodmin.

Averages
42 FEMALES £960
15 BULLS £2071
21 FEMALES SHELLTHORN DISPERSAL £1913

Auctioneers – McCartneys