Another successful stint at the Red Ladies saw the Grahams herd take home the overall championship and top price for the third year running.

Owners Robert and Jean Graham, Bridge of Allan, Stirling, have had a remarkable year, closing with a top call of 20,000gns for the Red Ladies overall champion Grahams Nicki. This September 2017-born heifer is sired by Ampertaine Gigolo, while the dam is the famous mating of Claragh Franco and prolific cow Grahams Coffee. The dam’s cross has bred very well for the herd with two full sisters topping the sale for the previous two years selling for 38,000gns and 32,000gns respectively.

Nicki herself came to the sale having been awarded senior female and reserve overall senior champion at the 2018 Stars of the Future event at Stirling in November. This decision was backed when Red Ladies judge Sarah Priestley of Brontemoor herd awarded her the overall champion title.

Securing the champion for his newly established Hartmoor herd was Stuart Perkins. Not stopping there, Mr Perkins also took a fancy to the day’s reserve overall champion Procters Nellgwyn at a price of 17,000gns.

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Ampertaine blood was again behind this champion, this time in the form of Ampertaine Foreman. Nellygwyn’s dam also boasts a strong pedigree, being sired by the 72,000gns Haltcliffe DJ.

Two heifers hit the 12,000gns mark. First up was the first prizewinning Wilodge Naturelle from the well-known Wilodge herd based in Shropshire. This 13-month-old heifer is the first female offered by the 40,0000gns stock bull Grahams Lorenzo, himself a full brother to the dam of the sale topper. Equally as impressive, her dam is Wilodge Dynamite, dam of the 60,000gns Carlisle champion Wilodge Lookout. Making the winning bid was M and J C Gould, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, for their Woodmarsh Limousin herd.

Matching her at the price was Huntershall Nebraska from Stephen Nixon, Cumbria. Sired by Ballinloan Jaegerbomb, Nebraska goes back on a dam by Huntershall Hattie. This one was secured by Neil Barclay for his Harestone herd.

Mr Barclay also splashed out 11,000gns for the yearling heifer Grahams Naughtyspice. This heifer’s breeding needs no introduction, with the dam Irish-bred Millbrook Ginger Spice, who won the Balmoral interbreed title on no less than three occasions. Sired by Ampertaine Foreman, a full sister to Naughtyspice was last year’s champion and sold for 25,000gns.

Not far behind, the Graham herd was again in action when they sold Grahams Nightingale for 10,000gns. This third prize winning heifer was the pick of Owen Comer for his Braydonside Limousin herd and she is a daughter of Goldies Jackpot. These sales topped a remarkable year for the Grahams outfit who also secured interbreed champion or reserve placings at the three major UK shows, namely the Royal Highland, Royal Welsh and Great Yorkshire.

Proceedings in the weaned calf sale, which was held in conjunction with the Red Ladies, were led by the eight-month-old Aultside Overdrive. Bred and exhibited by Gary Patterson, Keith, the stylish young bull was the main attraction, taking best bull calf in the pre-sale show. Sired by the well-known Ronick Hawk, Overdrive is a son of the prolific Spittalton Flush. This dam has really left her mark on the herd, having bred the 65,000gns February Carlisle champion Aultside Meanmeachine and the 55,000gns Aultside Hulk. Securing Overdrive with a bid of 16,000gns was the well-known Gunnerfleet herd of Ian Handley.

Awarded the best heifer calf in the weanling show was the January-born Haltcliffe Ode from the herd of Craig Ridley, Cumbria. Sired by the 20,000gns Dinmore Jacot, the stylish young heifer’s breeding goes back to the reliable Sympa. A pick of many, Ode was acquired by the Irish-based Garry Morrissey at 11,000gns for his Grangeford herd in Co Carlow.

Last of the 10 animals to hit the five-figure mark was Foxhillfarm Oriel. This January 2018-born heifer is no stranger to the limelight, having secured the champion Limousin title at Agrifest. Sired by the aforementioned Ampertaine Gigolo, the dam behind Oriel is the well-known show cow Foxhillfarm Gracie who herself goes back to Bankdale Alice. Securing the 11-month-old heifer at a price of 10,000gns was Chris White for his Frogmore herd.