Owned and run by Tom Bailey in Co Meath, the Baileys Limousin herd has become a household name within the Limousin breed over the last 20 years, producing some iconic cattle.
Over the weekend, the herd hosted its much-anticipated red ladies online timed auction, consisting of 18 pedigree females.
Hosted by Denis Barrett through MartEye, the sale produced a phenomenal average of just over €10,000, with a full clearance.
Highlighting the unprecedented interest in the sale was the 125 bidders, 29,000 views, 633 bids and top price of €22,500. Demand was particularly strong from Irish breeders, with just two heifers going for export to Northern Ireland.
Sale leader
Achieving the leading price of €22,500 was the greatly admired Baileys Valencia ET, a 20-month-old daughter of Wilodge Vantastic.
In-calf to Carrickmore Pocket Rocket, this powerful heifer is out of Baileys Norma ET, a Goldies Jackpot daughter which goes back to one of the herd's foundation females Roundhill Vjoyeuse 820 ET.
Carrying a five-star terminal index of €170 and copies of the Q204X and F94L genes, she sold to a herd in Co Kildare.
Selling for €15,000 was the maiden heifer Baileys Awesome. Born in March 2025, Awesome is a daughter of the 10,000gns Knock Msport and Baileys Proposal ET, an Ampertaine Foreman daughter out of the great Baileys Ice Princess.
Backed up by a five-star terminal index of €183 and a carcase weight figure of +37.7kg, this showstopping heifer was acquired by a breeder from Co Galway.
Baileys Vixen wasn't far behind, selling to a breeder in Co Westmeath for €14,500.
Born in April 2024, Vixen is daughter of Carrickmore Pocket Rocket and Baileys Pretty Polly, a Goldies Jackpot daughter which goes back to Woodhouse Annie.
Carrying a four-star terminal index of €142 and below breed average calving figures, she sold in-calf to Tomschoice Lexicon.
A bid of €14,000 secured the classy young maiden heifer Baileys Amanda ET.
Just over 12 months old, this Wilodge Vantastic daughter is out of Baileys Mya, regarded by Tom Bailey as one of the best females ever bred in the herd.
Packing a five-star terminal index of €152 and carrying copies of the F94L and Q204X genes, she was purchased by a herd in Co Meath.
The September 2024-born Baileys Vanessa ET was knocked down at €12,500. Sired by the herd's well-known stock bull Goldies Jackpot, her dam is the Baileys Darwin-bred cow Baileys Janet. In-calf to Pocket Rocket, she carries copies of the F94L and Q204X genes.
Vixen and Viva
Baileys Vixen 2 and Baileys Viva ET both realised €10,500. Sired by Tomschoice Lexicon, Vixen 2 descends from the famous Baileys Ice Princess.
Boasting a well-balanced set of figures, sitting in the top 20% of the breed for terminal and top 40% for replacement, this February 2024-born heifer was purchased by the Wilson family from Co Donegal.
Meanwhile, Viva is sired by the 180,000gns Graiggoch Rambo going back to Queenshead Altea on her mother's side. Again in-calf to Pocket Rocket, she came with a five-star within breed milk figure of +1.9kg, coupled with copies of the F94L and Q204X genes.
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