The name Mike Tyson would generally be more associated with the boxing ring than the show ring. However, last weekend Bunratty Mike Tyson stole the show for the Melody family when he claimed the overall top price at the Irish Charolais Society’s sale in Tullamore. Having claimed first in his class in the pre-sale show under judge David Connolly, Mike Tyson attracted a flurry of bids for Dan and Mags Melody from the moment he entered the ring until the hammer finally fell at €5,600. This January 2016-born bull sees stock bull Topnotch Elvis, Domino and Texan Gie in his back breeding. With five stars down the line, he found a new home in Thurles, Co Tipperary, with Matt Ryan.

Average down, clearance up

The sale saw 54 bulls forward in total, of which 44 found new homes, representing a clearance of 82%. This clearance was up from 78% on the year and, while averages dropped by €100 to €3,088, the sale was looked upon positively given the increased number of bulls sold.

Taking the overall championship under judge David Connolly was Noel Sugrue with Kilbline 1 Leader Et. This November 2015 embryo-born bull came out on top of the third class before being tapped forward in the final lineup as overall champion.

Sired by Oscar, Leader sees Domino and French-imported cow Kilbline Nationale in his pedigree, making him very closely related to last year’s male Highland Show champion Kilbline 1 Instigator.

Leader entered the ring with five stars on a number of key traits and was met with strong demand before selling for €4,500 to Anthony McVeigh, Co Monaghan,

The reserve championship was awarded to the winner of the youngest class, Limkiln Mozart from Richard Hackett, Clonlara, Co Clare. Homebred on both sides, Mozart sees Meillard Rj, Major, Vagabond and Jupiter further back in the breeding. This four-star bull on the terminal index met trade at €4,700, selling to Kilkenny native Matthew Kealy.

Second-highest price went to Thurles man Thomas Ryan for his October 2015-born Kilcommon Leo. With Pirate and Doonally New in the lineage, this bull was always going to sell well. Carrying five stars on terminal, along with four on replacement, he sold at €5,100 to Alan Greascen, Co Monaghan.

Two other bulls made it to the €4,000 or more mark. Selling to €4,150 was DorrigtonLeon from William Gerard Moran, Athlone, Co Westmeath. This second prize-winner to the champion was sired by Domino son Fury Action, with a Pirate back on Doonally New-bred dam. Five stars down the line, he found a new home in Co Wicklow with Alan Kinsella.

Reaching €4,000 on the dot was Gerard Lynch’s Knockmoyle10 Lincoln Et. This September 2015-born bull is sired by Pirate, with Doonally New and Jupiter in the back breeding. A full brother to Dovea AI bull Knockmoyle10 Loki, Lincoln sold with five stars on the terminal index to Westmeath man Thomas McLoughlin.

William Flynn’s second prize-winner Tullyvillage McGregor secured €3,900. Boasting five stars on the terminal index, McGregor sees Lisnagre Hansome, Utrillo-Bp and Malicieeux in his back breeding. Successful bidder here was John McCormick, Clonlara, Co Clare.

Pirate was again behind the breeding of Longstone Lenny who sold for €3,700. Bred by John McWeeney, Ballinamore, Co Leitrim, Lenny also sees Panama and Ignot in the lineage. Carrying five stars on carcase conformation, he sold west to Co Galway with Andrew Finnerty.

The five-star bull Lisnagre Lad realised €3,500 for Jim Geoghegan, Mullingar, Co Westmeath. Sired by Tombapik and out of Major-bred daughter Ballydownan Curlie, he sold to Thomas Finnamore, Tullamore.

A further 17 bulls made €3,000 or more.