Here’s our first of the previews from the Continental offering at Stirling next week in the form of the Simmentals. As ever, these are just our guideline thoughts so feel free to share your choices…
First up is the first bull in to the ring from the for sale only section. Hockenhull Ali Baba, an April 2009-born Newry son looks to be heading over from Northern Ireland and heads a strong offering from Mike Frazer’s Bruces Hill herd of Simmentals and Angus cattle. This one was purchased at the Hockenhull dispersal sale when suckling his dam Hockenhull Deborah 4th and has been shown successfully culminating in the breed championship at Balmoral and NI Simmental male of the year.
Next up is Newbiemains Buckaneer (lot 518) from Jim and Patricia Goldie. This one has an interesting pedigree being by Kilbride Farm Rainman out of the Raceview King daughter Crugmelyn Twilight who was female champion in Perth when purchased. Buckaneer’s full sister was Scottish National Show junior champion and he was breed champion at Dumfries this year.
The pick of the Drumsleed team for me (having had a snoop on facebook pictures!) is Drumsleed Cougar (lot 523) from Gerald and Morag Smith. He has a strong set of figures with a TSI of +81 and a SRI of +82 and is by Celtic Rock. Then if you liked him at the Highland when he took the male championship, Sterling Caithness (lot 525) might be on your list from Boddington Estates. By Sterling Rochester, he is out of the Sterling Herkules daughter Sterling Helen’s Lyric.
Out the blocks early is one of my picks from Iain Green’s string which will no doubt be strong. By the consistent breeding Ballinalare Farm Nightrider, Corskie Connan (lot 527) is out of the Strathisla Nuggat daughter Corskie Tori and was reserve male champion at the Highland and junior interbreed at Keith.
The interesting pedigree mix of Ashland Tornado and Popes Laird puts Spey-Bay Charlie (lot 532) from Richard Pettit next on my list. With a positive calving value and a TSI of +92 and SRI of +104 this one should be an exciting prospect.
Again an interesting mix of bloodlines crops up in my next choice, Starline Countryman (lot 536). This one is a Slievenagh Talisman son out of the Starline Klassik daughter from the Lorette family. He also has a good set of figures with a +10 milk figure and TSI of +91 with SRI of +83.
Annick Claymore (lot 541) could be worth a look if you were a fan of his full brother Annick Talisker who sold for 20,000gns. This one is by Sterling Nelson 2nd and is out of an Innerwick Lancelot daughter.
The Robson family rarely disappoint in Stirling and first of theirs to get a mention is Kilbride Farm Connor (lot 548). By Kilbride Farm Warren, he is out of the Milnafua Graduate daughter Eunice 34S, always a favourite dam line of mine. He carries a good set of figures as well with a TSI of +83.
He might not have figures, but many liked Beetley Cooperman (lot 552) at this year’s English National Show. From Abram farms, this one is a Snazzy son out of a homebred dam and he was junior champion at the English National and male champion at Suffolk.
If you’re after figures combined with a strong pedigree then Robert MacGregor’s Team Celtic (lot 556) might be worth a look. By the 10,000gns Clonagh Tiger Gallant son Auchorachan Winger, he is out of the Tilbrook Noble dam Team Kiwi 4 and boasts a TSI of +95 and a SRI of +103. And again figures dominate this next pick which is the first of the intermediate choices; Broombrae Cracker (lot 579) from the Clark’s. Word is this one is an upstanding bull and he carries a TSI of +106 and a SRI of +103.
Michael Durno’s Auchorachan Cracker (lot 589) is next up. By Saltire Talent, sire of the 20,000gns Wizard and 12,000gns ACDC and Barry, he has a good positive calving ease and strong TSI and SRI figures of +80 and +83.
Finlay McGowan is often amongst the top prices and I wouldn’t mind betting this one will feature as well. Dirnanean Carlos (lot 592) is by Arkmill Franklyn and is out of a Starline Nelso dam. He also boasts a TSI of +103 and SRI of +102.
Heading South and the next one to make the list is Sacombe Class Act (lot 597) from the Borlase family. By the successful herd sire Grangewood William a bull that has without doubt stamped the females in the herd, is out of one of the most prolific dam lines, the Alfa family. He’s had a good show season this year and carries one of the best calving ease figures in the book as well at +7.2.
The first of my junior picks is Bel Dhu Crusader (lot 616) from Anne MacPherson. By Curlieu Knight this one is fully Blackford bred on the dam side and is another to have caught my eye in pictures.
Stuart Stronach has been having a good run of form in Stirling and for me Islavale Casanova (lot 620) could be another one in the headlines. By Curaheen Vobster who sired his February champion, this one is out of the Glenturk Premier daughter Islavale Tammy. He also has another contender in the form of Islavale Champ (lot 630), this time by Premier out of the Raceview Kim daughter Raceview Viva Kim.
Jumping back slightly is Ranfurly Columbus (lot 629) from David Hazelton. By King, this one is out of the successful Ranfurly Weikel 2nd making him full brother to their 6200gns female at their recent production sale.
If it’s style you’re after I don’t doubt Cleenagh Cannon (lot 632) will disappoint if Adrian Richardson’s previous track record is anything to go by. By Omorga Volvo who is proving a hit in many herds, he is out of the Hillcrest Jerome daughter Celtic Vine.
My final pick is back in Michael Durno’s pen in the form of Auchorachan Cyclone (lot 640). By Clonagh Tiger Gallant, he is out of the dam of the 20,000gns Wizard Ravensworth Madie making this a potential eye catching pedigree indeed.
So that’s it from me…..over to you for your thoughts.
by 
