It was a momentous day for Irish genetics at the May show and sale of bulls in United Auctions, Stirling, as Irish-bred cattle produced some of the highest-priced bulls.

Simmentals, Limousins and Shorthorns all saw an increase in their average sale price from 2025, while the average for Charolais, Angus and Salers was down on the year.

In a mouth-watering Simmental trade, 28 bulls averaged £9,758 (€11,267), producing an 85% clearance and a new breed record average at this fixture.

Remarkably, this is the sixth consecutive year in a row that a new record Simmental average has been set at the May sale.

The Simmentals also led the all-breeds average for the second consecutive round of Stirling sales, following on from their successful February outing.

Maisley Rip 24 was the highest-priced Simmental at 15,000gns. \ Isla Campbell

Leading the way in the Simmental ring at 15,000gns (€18,186) was Maisley Rip from Michael Stronach in Keith.

This November 2024-born bull is a son of the Irish-bred Coose Lincoln EX 95, who has had sons up to 20,000gns, and Maisley Fizz’s Martini VG 85, a breeding female which comes down from Michael’s foundation female, Islavale Fizz. With terrific figures across the board, this bull sold to the commercial run herd of Iain Johnston in Falkirk.

It was a proud day for the Stronach family as they also secured the next highest price of 14,000gns (€16,974) for the December 2024- born Islavale Rafferty. Judged as junior and reserve overall champion in the pre-sale show by Richard Rodgers of the Hiltonstown herd in Co Antrim, this young bull is a son of the Irish-bred Bighill Parker, who has already had sons sell up to 15,000gns at Stirling in February this year.

With a show record to admire, Rafferty was senior champion at the Stars of the Future Calf Show in November 2025. Again with breeding and figures to match, Islavale Rafferty 24 is in the breed’s top 15% for maternal and Eye Muscle Area, making him an irresistible package for David Lowry of the Keeldrum Pedigree herd.

From the same stud was the 12,500gns (€15,155) first-prize-winning bull, Islavale Raphael. This November 2024-born bull is also sired by the Irish-bred Coose Lincoln EX 95, while his mother, Islavale Libby VG 89, is a daughter of the Irish-bred Curaheen Giant. In the top 10% of the breed for Eye Muscle Area, he was purchased by Robert Bell and Partners in Kinross.

Limousin

Selling the most bulls and achieving the highest price across all breeds was the Limousin, as 36 bulls averaged £9,494 (€10,962), representing a 97% clearance.

The overall sale leader came in the form of Burnbank Vermont, which sold for 17,000gns (€20,611) from Messrs D and L Graham, based just outside Stirling.

A first-prize winner in his class, this Limousin bull boasted some impressive beef traits as well as carrying copies of the F94L and Q204X genes. By noted sire Wilodge Vantastic and out of the Ronick Hawk daughter, Burnbank Undone, he will join Islay Estates on the Isle of Islay.

Salers

In a buoyant trade for Salers bulls, 16,000gns (€19,398) was reached twice, first by the overall champion Whitebog Ultimo and then by the reserve overall champion, Rednock Unorthodox. Exhibited by the MacKenzie family, Fortrose, Whitebog Ultimo is a July 2024-born son of Napoleon out of Whitebog Jinny and went on to sell to respected pedigree breeders G S McClymont, Newton Stewart.

Whitebog Ultimo, Overall Champion Salers which sold for 16,000gns. \ Isla Campbell

Commanding the same price tag was the reserve supreme champion, Rednock Unorthodox, from Gill and Malcolm Pye.

A March 2024-born son of Icare out of Rednock Nalani, he went on to sell to local pedigree breeder, Murray Lyle, Dunblane.

Nine Salers bulls averaged £9,625 (€11,113).

Charolais

In a selective Charolais trade, 24 bulls traded to an average of £8,571 (€9,896) and it was Bombax Van Dyke that secured the lead price of 15,000gns (€18,186) for the Smeaton family, Forfar.

Bred from the 24,000gns Harestone Ronaldinho, his dam is the Maerdy Osgood daughter, Bombax Scarlet. Van Dyke sold to AJ MacLean, Heylipol, Tiree.

Angus

Brailes Livestock topped the Angus trade with Brailes Black Boy A360 at 15,000gns (€18,186). Awarded the overall and junior champion by judge Ivan Forsythe, he led the field of 25 Angus bulls which averaged £7,237 (€8,356), representing a 71% clearance.

Sired by Tonley Ronald X800 and out of Brailes Black Bee Y254, he carries a terminal index of +47 and a self-replacing index of +58, and was bought by Dunlop and sons in East Lothian.

Shorthorn

A top price of 13,000gns (€15,761) was achieved in the Shorthorn section by Vantastic of Upsall (PP) from Gerald Turton, Upsall Castle Farms, north Yorkshire. The March 2024-born son of Nelson of Upsall (PP) is out of Augusta X1373 of Upsall (PP).

Wearing the overall champion sash from the show, he sold to Huntlyhill Farms, Lanark. In total, 10 Shorthorn bulls averaged £7,035 (€8,123), up on the 2025 sale.