The Irish Simmental Cattle Society sale in Tullamore last Friday night proved far tougher than was to be expected, with only 15 of the 36 bulls on offer selling.
This is a similar number sold as the previous year, but with less bulls forward, the 2018 sale saw a 58% clearance. Average sale price also took a hit, dropping to just shy of €2,500 from the €2,652 witnessed in 2018.
However, this trade would have been much worse if not for a number of keen purchasers from southern Europe. These buyers secured a total of five bulls, but also helped to lift a number of others.
Along with the interest from overseas, the main highlight was the sale of the overall male champion Thornford King Kong.
Bred and exhibited by Ryan and Sean Callan from Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, King Kong was tapped out by judge Martin Regan.
This decision was vindicated in the sale ring when the February 2018-born bull went on to sell for the top price of €3,600.
Sired by Dovea AI bull Curaheen Gunshot, he is out of Auroch Bullet PP-bred dam Seafort Fiona. No stranger to success, the 14-month-old bull was reserve northeastern club February bull champion in 2018.
Reserve
Taking the reserve male championship was Clonguish Jer ET from Joe and Sean McGarry.
This Milton Lord Tiffany-sired bull is out of Raceview King daughter Brogeen Victoria.
Reserve male champion Clonguish Jer ET, exhibited by Sean McGarry. \ Alfie Shaw
With a calving index of 7.5% and four stars on the replacement index across breed, Jer failed to meet his reserve and left the ring unsold.
Taking the second-top price of the evening was the second-prizewinner Towerhill Knockout Kid.
Second top-priced animal Towerhill Knockout Kid, which sold for €3,100. Exhibited by Jennie Aherne. \ Alfie Shaw
This March 2018-born bull is another son of the aforementioned Curaheen Gunshot and was brought out by Seamus and Jennie Aherne, Cappamore, Co Limerick.
With five stars on both the terminal and replacement indices, Knockout was knocked down by auctioneer Denis Barrett at €3,100.
The top of Garreth Behan’s outfit was the first-prizewinner Clonagh Jungle Class.
This October 2017-born bull is a son of former herd stock bull Kilbride Farm Dragoon and the homebred Clonagh Extra Fabulous.
Italian buyer
Weighing in at over 1,000kg, the five-star terminal bull met his reserve and sold for €3,000 to an Italian buyer.
As mentioned, this was one of five lots secured by overseas buyers on the night, with Clonagh King Of The Jungle also getting on the boat after selling for €2,800.
This bull was the youngest animal catalogue and another son of Kilbride Farm Dragoon. Dam behind the stylish young bull is twice overall Simmental of the year Clonagh Dora the Explorer.
Taking home a price of €2,900 was Gerard Neenan with Fearna Kellstrum.
This five-star terminal bull is a son of Curaheen Vio and goes back to the prolific Fearna Tiffany.
Females
In the small female offering, the Behan outfit took both champion and reserve titles.
Taking the female championship was Clonagh Kitty Trixie, sired by last year’s male of the year Bruchag Glenfiddich. Dam Clonagh Gold Card is out of the homebred Clonagh Direct Debit and is a maternal sister to previously mentioned Dora The Explorer.
Female champion Clonagh Kitty Trixie, exhibited by Garreth Behan. \ Alfie Shaw
Selling for the joint-top female price, she was knocked down at €2,000.
Matching her at the money was the reserve female champion Clonagh Krystal Wanda, another daughter of Glenfiddich, this time out of Curaheen Sittingbull daughter Knockane Wanda.
The Irish Simmental Cattle Society sale in Tullamore last Friday night proved far tougher than was to be expected, with only 15 of the 36 bulls on offer selling.
This is a similar number sold as the previous year, but with less bulls forward, the 2018 sale saw a 58% clearance. Average sale price also took a hit, dropping to just shy of €2,500 from the €2,652 witnessed in 2018.
However, this trade would have been much worse if not for a number of keen purchasers from southern Europe. These buyers secured a total of five bulls, but also helped to lift a number of others.
Along with the interest from overseas, the main highlight was the sale of the overall male champion Thornford King Kong.
Bred and exhibited by Ryan and Sean Callan from Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, King Kong was tapped out by judge Martin Regan.
This decision was vindicated in the sale ring when the February 2018-born bull went on to sell for the top price of €3,600.
Sired by Dovea AI bull Curaheen Gunshot, he is out of Auroch Bullet PP-bred dam Seafort Fiona. No stranger to success, the 14-month-old bull was reserve northeastern club February bull champion in 2018.
Reserve
Taking the reserve male championship was Clonguish Jer ET from Joe and Sean McGarry.
This Milton Lord Tiffany-sired bull is out of Raceview King daughter Brogeen Victoria.
Reserve male champion Clonguish Jer ET, exhibited by Sean McGarry. \ Alfie Shaw
With a calving index of 7.5% and four stars on the replacement index across breed, Jer failed to meet his reserve and left the ring unsold.
Taking the second-top price of the evening was the second-prizewinner Towerhill Knockout Kid.
Second top-priced animal Towerhill Knockout Kid, which sold for €3,100. Exhibited by Jennie Aherne. \ Alfie Shaw
This March 2018-born bull is another son of the aforementioned Curaheen Gunshot and was brought out by Seamus and Jennie Aherne, Cappamore, Co Limerick.
With five stars on both the terminal and replacement indices, Knockout was knocked down by auctioneer Denis Barrett at €3,100.
The top of Garreth Behan’s outfit was the first-prizewinner Clonagh Jungle Class.
This October 2017-born bull is a son of former herd stock bull Kilbride Farm Dragoon and the homebred Clonagh Extra Fabulous.
Italian buyer
Weighing in at over 1,000kg, the five-star terminal bull met his reserve and sold for €3,000 to an Italian buyer.
As mentioned, this was one of five lots secured by overseas buyers on the night, with Clonagh King Of The Jungle also getting on the boat after selling for €2,800.
This bull was the youngest animal catalogue and another son of Kilbride Farm Dragoon. Dam behind the stylish young bull is twice overall Simmental of the year Clonagh Dora the Explorer.
Taking home a price of €2,900 was Gerard Neenan with Fearna Kellstrum.
This five-star terminal bull is a son of Curaheen Vio and goes back to the prolific Fearna Tiffany.
Females
In the small female offering, the Behan outfit took both champion and reserve titles.
Taking the female championship was Clonagh Kitty Trixie, sired by last year’s male of the year Bruchag Glenfiddich. Dam Clonagh Gold Card is out of the homebred Clonagh Direct Debit and is a maternal sister to previously mentioned Dora The Explorer.
Female champion Clonagh Kitty Trixie, exhibited by Garreth Behan. \ Alfie Shaw
Selling for the joint-top female price, she was knocked down at €2,000.
Matching her at the money was the reserve female champion Clonagh Krystal Wanda, another daughter of Glenfiddich, this time out of Curaheen Sittingbull daughter Knockane Wanda.
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