Undertaken by the Irish Aberdeen Angus Association through MartEye and Mid-Tipp Mart, the Mercury Matrons sale consisted of all dams in the Mercury herd born prior to 2023.

With demand exceeding supply, the average for all 15 lots settled at an impressive €7,360, with buyers from right across Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Run by John and Shane Murphy in north Cork, the Mercury herd has enjoyed some recordbreaking prices in recent years, as well as claiming the Irish Aberdeen Angus all-Ireland champion in 2022 and the all-Ireland medium herds title in 2025.

Leading the prices at €11,000 on Monday evening was Luddenmore Ellen Erica W442.

Originally bred by Dr Michael Sheahan, this cow needs little introduction, being the dam of the Irish male record-priced Mercury Red Evo Z910, which sold for €27,800 at the 2024 Extravaganza.

Sired by Friarstown Ellen Erica, she sold to Northern Ireland, with an expected calving date in November.

Close behind Ellen Erica was Mercury Special Tinge, which hit the market at €10,000.

This name will again be familiar to Angus breeders, with Special Tinge having claimed the supreme Aberdeen Angus all-Ireland championship as a two-year-old first-calver in 2022.

Sired by Luddenmore Just The Business, she is out of Mercury Lovely Tinge, which sold for €8,000 in 2018.

The same buyer from Co Sligo also paid €9,000 for Mercury Unique Fleur. This well-bodied super Angus cow is sired by Coraghy Steel and out of Tara Fleuret U556. She sells carrying a heifer calf due in November to the 2023 Aberdeen Angus national calf show champion Luddenmore Victorious.

Another Coraghy Steel daughter, Mercury Jody Y883, sold for €8,400. This tank of a cow previously bred a Munster Marvel sale topper and sold with a DBI figure of €180 and carcase weight at 20kg.

Out of the imported cow Morpheus Jodie R023, she again sold carrying a heifer calf by Victorious.

Boss Hogg daughter

Mercury Stylish Tinge was next in line when she hit the market at €8,000.

This Rawburn Boss Hogg daughter is out of Mercury Fab Tinge and is a full sister to former champion of Europe Mercury Sexy Tinge.

Ranking five stars down the line, she sold expecting a bull calf in October.

The Murphy family would like to thank all who visited to view the cattle, bid, secured lots and wish them all the very best with their purchases.