The Irish Charolais Cattle Society received 180 entries for their spring premier sale which was held in Elphin last week. However, due to a vigorous inspection held by the society in the weeks ahead of the sale, this number was cut by 80 to ensure only the best of stock was present on the day.

A number of reasons, including private sales, led to 79 as the final number of bulls through the ring. These sold to average just shy of €3,750, back €550 on the previous year. However, it’s one of the first sales in recent weeks to see clearance rates improve on the year. The sale saw 53 bulls sell to record a 67% clearance, up from 65% in 2016. While this wouldn’t be near the highs witnessed in 2015 where 79% of bulls sold to €4,459, it’s positive to see a swing in the right direction.

Sale peaked at €7,000

The €10,500 price tag had been hit three times at the two previous years’ sales, with many hoping to make it three in a row. However, it wasn’t to be, with this year’s sale peaking at €7,000 for Drumcullen Longshot. Bred and exhibited by John Fleury, Longshot is a son of English-bred stock bull Vexour Granville who also bred Drumcullen JJ, reserve junior champion at the Cracker in 2015 before selling for €7,600. Carrying five stars on the terminal index and four stars on the replacement, he sold to Sligo-based Michael Phillips.

Patrick McClean was next in the money when he sold his November 2015 bull Roughan Leopard to Claire O’Keeffe for €6,000. Sired by French import Roughan Enzo, he sees Roughan Viceroi and Doonally New in the back breeding. Leopard combined five stars on the replacement and terminal indices with a calving figure of 6.3%.

The 2016 junior male calf champion Brownshill 14 Major (pictured) secured the first red rosette of the junior classes on the day. Bred by Michael Kavanagh, Major is out of the 70,000gns Barnsford Ferny with Nelson as the grandsire. Successful bidder at €5,800 was Thomas Whitehead, Goresbridge, Co Kilkenny.

Thomas Keane, Westport, Co Mayo, enjoyed a highly successful day when his two sole exhibits picked up red rosettes in their respective classes. First in and selling for the next-highest price of €5,600 was Cuillmore Luke. This December 2015-born bull sees Liscally Eti, Doonally New and Indurain in the lineage and sold to Frank Murphy, Crossmaglen. Mr Keane’s second bull Cuillmore Martin (pictured), also sired by Dovea bull Liscally Eti, went one step further to claim the reserve junior championship on the day. He was knocked down at €4,800 to Owain Llyr from Wales.

Picking up the senior championship on the day under judge Patsy McCabe of the well-known Blakestown herd was Sionhill Lazer. Sired by Balthayock Hamish, he is out of a Blakestown Uncle Sam-bred dam and was brought out by Ronan Carey, Co Westmeath. Successful bidder at €5,500 was James Johnston, Co Fermanagh.

Picking up the reserve championship behind Lazer was Aidan Farrell’s Williamstown Lenny. Sired by Elgin Davinci, he is out of a daughter of the 18,000gns Derryharney Outstanding, but unfortunately failed to meet his reserve on the day.

Overall junior championship

Securing the overall junior championship ahead of the aforementioned Cuillmore Martin was Michael Quigley’s Drummand Master. This stylish young bull is out of the 18,000gns Thrunton Fairfax and found a new home in the North with M and P Connolly at €4,800.

Two other bulls made it to the €5,000-plus bracket. First in line was Michael Dowd’s Aughavadden Lucas who sold to Peter Melville, Gort, for €5,400. This five-star terminal bull sees Indurain, Doonally New and Kilmore Optimist in the breeding. Tawny Larry Good Man (pictured) realised €5,000 for his breeder Ciaran Daly, Co Leitrim. Having placed first in the pre-sale show, this Lisnagree Elite son, along with two other bulls, were knocked down to William Glazebrook, Scotland. In total, 16 animals were exported on the day, up from 13 in 2016.

The small female entry saw a top of €5,200 for the female champion Clenagh Jasmine Et from Michael Quinn, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Co Clare. Sired by Dromiskin Viceroy, Jasmine is a maternal sister to the €13,000 Christmas cracker sale topper Clenagh Lyle. Selling in-calf to Cavelands Fenian, she was secured by Eoin McGovern from Fivemilebourne.

The Quinns also secured the reserve female championship with Clenagh Jewel Et. This Doonally New daughter is out of homebred Clenagh Vicki, but failed to meet her reserve on the day. Altogether, four females sold to average €2,950, up €350 on the year.

Read more

Shortage of buyers at Irish Angus sale