Strong entry of British Blues for Carlisle

As many of you have already noted this weekend’s sale of British Blues at Carlisle has one of the strongest catalogues of cattle seen in recent times. More than 300 head have been entered and there’s sure to be plenty of quality among those on offer.

I’ve been through the book and made a few selections as to what I think might be there or thereabouts, its by no means a complete list and there are bound to be some omissions, but hopefully I’ll not be too far away!

First pick for me is Headlind Bobo, a Gitan Du P’Tit Mayeur son bred by Allan Jackson he won the male championship at last year’s Highland and has worked and might be worth a look for someone wanting a senior bull. Pendle Caterpillar should be another in with a shout, he’s by Serum D’Anloy and picked up the overall award at last year’s Borders Calf Show.

Then comes Greystone Commander, an Adagio Du Stormer son out of an Ardent De Maurage daughter and is full brother to Greystone The Boss, RHS champion in 2004 and 2005.

For classic female breeding lines then Henlli Casanova, a Baron Du Bois Bauloye son out of one of the breed’s greatest cows Bringlee Sandy. This one is full brother to Bringlee Volkawagon and 21,000gns bull Henlli Wishmaster,  and was male champion at the Welsh last year so has to be in with a shout. Gerwyn Owen has another brace of Sandy sons too, so they may be interesting.

Next on my list is the first of the Luke Royal entries, Lukeroyal Calvin. He’s by Twyning Ash Vaughan and out of Lukeroyal Ulster Lass, who sold for 6500gns at five years old and has a carcass index of +14. Another from the Lucas’ Lukeroyal Charlie is another pick, he’s by Vaughan again and out of Lukeroyal Wonderful and has a carcass index of +19.

And the Lukeroyal run continues with Lukeroyal Columbo, a Wilodge Ulex son out of Lukeroyal Ulster Bluebell with a carcass value of +24, his only flaw may be colouring as he’s blue and white and the fashion is for black and whites at the moment.

Volkawagon son Denby Crusader is another of interest with a carcass value of +19 and being out of Ridge Dean Vervet. And Messrs Coates’ Empire D’Ochain son Greystone Cannon could be another to watch, from a good female line and the first Empire calf in the UK.

And sticking with D’Ochain lines is Tamhorn Conqueest, a Tamhorn Sumo son out of Norbreck Alexis, a Dafydd D’Ochain daughter with a carcass index of +18. As usual Michelle Wilde is bringing out a bull of interest in Ridge Dean Cody. by Dafydd and out of Ridge Dean Navette, a dam needing no introduction, he sells with a carcass index of +26. New Close Colonel also reads well, being a Mountjoy Utopia son out of Hazelwood Tinkerbell and with a carcass index of +20.

Another with former show success is Solway View Ceaser, a Baron son out of Sandy which stood calf champion at Agri-Expo last October. Auchenlay Coll from the Paterson family is also in my list, being a son of Auchenlay Magic, a full sister to 21,000gns Auchenlay Vagabond and with a carcass index of +18.

But it may be that the females is where the real interest lies and there is certainly a bumper entry of heifers with Astrics Charm first to catch the eye. She’s by Mountjoy Utopia and out of Astrics Valentine a naturally calving black cow, she sells having been AI’d to Dafydd and with a carcass index of +17.

Brennand Cherry could be a good shot too, being out of Sandy and by Colibri Du Coin. Another of note is Denby Chanel, a Volkawagon daughter out of Ridge Dean Vervet with a carcass index of +19.

The Bellas’ heifer Croftends Candy is also a good call, being full sister to their great show heifer Black Beauty and is by Dafydd. Other sisters have sold to 8500gns. Solway View Dolly may also be worth a look, she’s by Volkawagon and out of a dam by Dafydd and is full sister to 8500gns Netherhall Clevergirl. There’s a strong run of Lukeroyal females too, many of which look good on paper.

All in all it promises to be a cracking sale and no doubt the mart will be packed to the rafters with eager bidders, I just hope Taking Stock can secure our normal seats to bring you all the action from the ringside and if you see my partner in crime trying to bid – STOP HER!!