It's amazing that after almost 30 years since he was born, the famous Charolais bull CF52 is still producing champions and high-sellers throughout the country.

Widely regarded as one of the best Charolais bulls ever introduced to Ireland, Doonally New is unrivaled within the Charolais breed from a terminal perspective.

On Saturday at the Midland and Western Livestock Improvement Society's show and sale of Charolais and Limousin cattle in Carrick-on-Shannon, a son of his topped the trade, as well as claiming the overall Charolais championship.

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CF52 sons

Bred and exhibited by Tom Mulligan and family from Dromod in Co Leitrim, the CF52-sired Currycramp Volt was tapped out as champion Charolais by judge David Erskine before going on to top the trade at €8,100.

Born in November 2024, this fantastic-headed bull had to overcome above-breed average calving figures and a two-star within breed terminal index of €131.

Bred from a homebred dam by Thrunton Voldemort, the single-F94L carrier served up a bidding frenzy, selling to Roscommon suckler farmer Brian Keenehan.

Currycramp Volt selling for €8,100

That wasn't the end for CF52, as he also produced the joint-second-highest-priced Charolais Corralara Valiant at €7,000.

Exhibited by Michael and Mary McGowan from Co Roscommon, this December 2024-born bull is out of a Prime Roberto-bred cow.

A second-prizewinner in his class, he carries a three-star within breed terminal index of €147 and came in at breed average on calving.

Auctioneer Francis McGowan knocked him down to a local suckler farmer.

Corralara Valiant selling for €7,000

Matching him at the same money was Clogher Valorous from Kathleen Crowe and family.

Born in December 2024, this stylish bull is a son of the new French sire Reglisse, going back to a Cavelands Fenian-bred cow.

Displaying an impressive array of indexes and below-average calving figures, he was purchased by Raymond Conlon from Co Sligo.

Clogher Valorous selling for €7,000

It was a special day for the Crowe family as they donated medals for the championship winners in memory of the late Tom Crowe to mark the society's centenary year.

Limousin

Charlie Clancy from Cloone in Co Leitrim received the highest price of €7,600 in the Limousin ring with Faughill Alfie.

Just over 14 months old, Alfie was the last bull to go through the ring, selling to Sean Willis from Co Sligo.

Sired by the popular Ewdenvale Ivor and out of a Sympa-bred dam, this double-F94L carrier had stars to burn, as well as boasting calving figures within the top 20% of the breed.

Faughill Alfie selling for €7,600

Fellow Leitrim breeder Patrick Beirne wasn't far behind at €7,000 with the first-prizewinner Ohill Viper.

Born in October 2024, this star-studded son of Loyal offered a brilliant set of figures, as well as two copies of the profit gene. Snapping him up was suckler farmer Paraic McGee.

Ohill Viper selling for €7,000

Overall, trade was relatively strong for the quality lots, as 13 out of the 19 bulls on offer sold to an average of €5,461, with all three pedigree heifers selling to an average of €3,133.