Grahams set standard at Limousin Red Ladies

Carlisle was the destination for all Limousin enthusiasts over the weekend as the Borderway mart hosted the Red Ladies Derby and weaned calf show.

The sale, which saw a substantial rise in averages across the board, was led primarily by the entries from the Graham herd of Robert and Jean Graham, Bridge of Allan, Stirling.

Not only did they pick up the supreme championship in the Red Ladies Derby, they also went on to smash the Limousin weaned calf record price.

Breaking the record and achieving the top price was Grahams Natalie who sold for 38,000gns, eclipsing the old record of 10,500gns. This January 2017-born heifer is an embryo calf out of the herd’s best cow Grahams Coffee and Claragh Franco.

Grahams Lily, Natalie’s full sister topped the 2016 Red Ladies when she sold for 32,000gns, while her full brother Grahams Lorenzo sold for 40,000gns earlier that year.

Securing the sale topper was the noted Wilodge herd, who were also the successful bidders of Lorenzo in 2016.

Natalie’s sale highlight came after an already very successful day for the Grahams outfit, having also secured the Red Ladies championship with Grahams Malibu.

This very stylish powerhouse of a female was tapped out by judge Kim Montgomery, Co Antrim, who described the champion as a “top-quality Limousin who is just full of potential for the future”.

Sired by Ampertaine Elgin, Malibu is out of three-time Balmoral interbreed champion Millbrook Gingerspice. Gingerspice was bred by Willie Smith, Oldcastle, Co Meath, and has matched her remarkable show career with an ever-expanding breeding career.

Along with breeding Natalie, she has also bred Grahams Michael, this year’s male champion Limousin at the Highland Show that later sold for 20,000gns at Carlisle in October. Securing the champion at 25,000gns was the establishing Nugent herd in Newtownards, Co Down.

Grahams were also out on top of the bull section of weaned calves when Grahams Nashville sold for 20,000gns.

January 2017-born, Nashville is another embryo calf bred the same way as the sale leader. This calf arrived at Carlisle having recently won the junior male championship and reserve junior championship at the prestigious Stars of the Future Calf Show held in Stirling. Successful bidder was the Saltbrook herd in Derbyshire.

On a memorable day’s trading, the Grahams herd sold five animals across the two sales to gross a fantastic £102,900.

The Saltbrook herd also purchased the stylish Aultside Mystique for 18,000gns from Garry Patterson, Keith.

This maiden heifer had placed first in her class of the Red Ladies Derby show. An embryo calf and August 2016-born, she is by Wilodge Cerberus and out of the Hargill Blaze daughter Spittalton Flush. Mystique is a full sister to Aultside Hulk, who was purchased by Ardlea-Elite Limousins in 2014 for 55,000gns.

Another from the weaned heifer calf sale, Glenrock Northernstar from SD Illingworth, Lockerbie, made 15,000gns.

A March 2017-born heifer, Northernstar had plenty of breeding behind her, being by Haltcliffe Doctor and out of Glenrock Fantastic, who is a past reserve supreme champion at the Royal Highland and Great Yorkshire shows and is out of the herd matriarch Glenrock Spangle. Purchasing this heifer was W Corrie for his Drumhilla pedigree herd at Drumhilla Farm, Newtownards, Co Down, Northern Ireland.

Making 12,000gns and also from the weaned heifer calf sale was the May 2017-born Swalesmoor Nessa from Kedzlie Farms Ltd.

This embryo calf is by the 35,000gns Foxhillfarm Jasper and is out of the 125,000gns world record-breaking maiden heifer Glenrock Illusion.

This calf was bought by Gary Bell, t/a Haas Side Farm, Lockerbie, for his burgeoning Haassidefarm pedigree herd.

A number of animals sold to breeders in Ireland. Included in these was the first-prizewinner Melbreak Mambo from first-time consignors K and S Williamson, Co Tyrone.

Originally bred by Mr and Mrs Callion, this July 2016 heifer is by the AI sire Lodge Hamlet and is out of the Nenuphar daughter Melbreak Jive. Purchasing Melbreak Mambo at 8,500gns was Damian Maher, Camblin, Roscrea, Co Tipperary.

Another to go to the Republic was the 7,000gns weaned heifer calf Foxhillfarm Naughtybutnice from the Alford family.

Naughtybutnice is by the French sire Neuf and is out of the show-winning Foxhillfarm Izzy, a daughter of the prolific Bankdale Alice.

This January 2017-born heifer was snapped up by John McInerney for his Drummin herd in Newmarket-on-Fergus, Co Clare.

Overall, 48 heifers, up 11 on the year previous, sold in the Red Ladies to average £4,026. Weaned heifer calves saw averages skyrocket by £1,657 to settle at £3,987 for 42 sold. This can be largely attributed to the record sale price achieved by Grahams Natalie. Finally, 18 weaned bull calves sold to average £3,331.