Charolais breeders will be hoping for an October trade to match that of last year’s record breaking sale, but whether their dreams can come true this time around is yet to be seen.
There are certainly some decent bulls on offer, according to the catalogue, we’ll just have to see how they shape up in the flesh.
First choice for me in the Charolais is the very first bull in the catalogue, Falleninch Flint (lot 661. This son of Falleninch Bigboy is out of Balbithan Voile, a Baggrave Minstrel daughter and was junior male champion at the Highland this year.
Next up is Wissington Genius (lot 678), a son of Gretnahouse Ultimate, himself a Hofmeister son. He’s out of Wissington Delight, a daughter of the legendary Talisman and was male champion at South of England as well as being male and junior champion at East of England junior Continental interbreed at the same show. He has impressive figures, with a TSI of +62 and an SRI of +63, as well as a positive calving ease direct of +3.7. A combination of genetics and figures that should be worth a look.
And one from Thrunton is my next choice, with this being Thrunton Galaxy (lot 688). A son of 26,000gns Balmyle Dickler out of Thrunton Aphrodite, Mowbraypark Orlando daughter. He has a TSI of +61 and an SRI of +52, combined with a milk figure of +12.
Following him is one from Clark Farms, Teiglum Genesis (lot 691). This son of Elgin Davinci, the sire of last year’s Smithfield champion, is out of Teiglum Carrie, another Talisman daughter, and comes with a calving ease direct score of +3.3, a rarity where Talisman is in the breeding.
If it’s muscle and high figures you’re after then Jan Boomars bull Vexour Garth (lot 697) could well be worth a shout. This son of the legendary has an eye muscle score of +7.3 coupled with a TSI of +71 and an SRI of +74. He’s out of Vexour Della, a Maerdy Tally daughter. Admittedly Vexour bulls haven’t always set the trade alight in the past, but perhaps things are about to change on that front?
Next us is a son of the 55,000gns bull Sportsmans Columbo, Marwood Gladiator (lot 701). He’s out of Marwood Temptress, a daughter of Inverlochy Passport. With a strong show record from the summer he should be a good strong bull to watch. Unfortunately, like all Columbo son’s he does suffer from a poor calving ease figure, but used on easy calved older cows he could do a good job for many.
Will Short rarely travels across the water without a decent bull and I’d expect his bull Woodpark Gregg to be a strong sort (lot 709). A son of muscle thrower Doonally New he is out of Greyoak Rachel, a Simpsons Gregg daughter and was a first prize winner at Fintona.
Those looking for something easier calving and with a good pedigree may want to investigate Gretnahouse George (lot 717). Sired by French bull Unico he is out of Gretnahouse Dugesse, a Talisman daughter and has a mucsle score of +5.1.
I’m looking forward to seeing how Elgin Glenlivet has come on since the summer shows (lot 720). Sired by the aforementioned Elgin Davinci he is out of Corrie Debbie, a Harestone Tadorne daughter and was beefbreeder champion at the Highland as well as being Scottish champion of champions at Keith later in the summer. He has a TSI of +53 and an SRI of the same figure and should be a strong, thick sort of a bull.
The Massie family’s Blelack team rarely disappoint and this time round should be no exception. First pick of the string for me is Blelack General (lot 730), a son of 15,000gns bull Goldies Dynamite. He’s out of a Galcantray dam which is in turn by former Perth champion Thrunton Socrates. He should be a bull to suit cows or heifers with a calving ease of +9.7 and a TSI of +59.
Two bulls close together get the next mark in the catalogue, with the first being the MacGregor family’s Allanfauld Gladiator (lot 734). This Elgin Davinci son is out of Corrie Beyonce, a daughter of Moelfre Torpedo which bred some strong cows for the Corrie herd. This one has a TSI of +51 and an SRI of +37.
Ian Millar has a potentially decent bull on offer in Lochend Gambler (lot 735). This son of 28,000gns Brampton Nacodar is out of Lochend Caprice, a Talisman daughter. He’s not overblessed with figures, but his pedigree should make him well worth checking out.
Heading on a few lots it could be worth taking a look at Balthayock Genesis (lot 741). A son of 11,000gns Balthayock Adonis out of Balthayock Diana, a Barbican Lancer daughter. He’s blessed with exceptional figures, with a calving ease of +11.9, very strong for a Charolais, and a TSI of +73 and an SRI of +67. As ever the Balthayock bulls are likely to be presented in a more workmanlike condition than some others, much to the credit of the team who don’t believe is over feeding their bulls prior to sale.
Hamish Goldie has a bull with a good pedigree in Goldies Glider (lot 750). Sired by 8000gns Blelack Blackberet, he is out of Goldies Dawn who goes back to Blelack Ripple dam of 25,000gns Goldies Unbeatable and 14,000gns Goldies Banker. He has a TSI of +64 and an SRI of +58.
Maerdy Dublin sons from Mike Massie made a good impression in the spring and another which may do the same is Elrick Gallant (lot 757). This one is out of Blelack Ophelia, dam of 7000gns Elrick Bombardier.
Anne MacPherson’s bull Blackford Gladiator (lot 783) should be a good one to take a look at. This son of 22,000gns sire Newhouse Bigal is out of Blackford Celia, a Talisman daughter. He was reserve beefbreeder champion at the Highland and has a TSI of +49 and an SRI of +39.
If it’s a show record your after then the next two may appeal. First is Sandleford Gilberto from Gilbert Henderson. A son of Sportsmans Columbo he is out of Sandelford Tessa, a Drummeer Major daughter and was male champion at the NI Charolais national at Fintona.
The other is Ashby Gucci (lot 803). This Talisman son is out of Gretnahouse Caresse, a Doonally New daughter and was junior, male and reserve breed champion at Newark and Notts and took the same honours at Lincoln.
Anyone looking for a new bloodline could be tempted by Glencoe Galliant (lot 808). This son of new French sire Plexus is out of Glencoe Dong, a Celtic Vichy. It will be interesting to see how he’s grown on since Balmoral where he was reserve junior champion. He was also reserve male at Fintona.
Esmor Evans has a run of bulls close together and for many the pick of these will be Maerdy Grenadier (lot 813). This Maerdy Dynamite son is out of Maerdy Damson and was male and breed champion at the Welsh and reserve interbreed champion at the same show. I must admit felt he was a little light up front at the Welsh, but he will no doubt have filled himself out since then and will doubtless be among the tickets and prices.
Esmor’s next in, Maerdy Grubby (lot 814), could well be a serious contender for the money too, being by Blelack Digger and out of Maerdy Daisy, a Maerdy Naser daughter. He has a very impressive TSI of +80 and an SRI of +76 and very strong calving score of +15.2, coupled with an eye muscle score of +7.9. He should be a great combination of pedigree and performance.
Well that’s it for my picks, with French judge Michel Baudot taking centre stage in the judging ring it will be interesting to see what type he goes for come Tuesday afternoon.
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