TOTAL CLEARANCE AT SOUTH DEVONS’ MIDLAND CLUB SALE AT STRATFORD

A total clearance in all sections was the result of the annual Midland Club Sale of South Devons at Stratford-upon-Avon, with a top bull price of 6,400 guineas, a top female price of 2,500 guineas, and averages holding up well.

Judge James Shinner from Stretchford, Buckfastleigh, Devon, selected his male and breed champion from Tollerton, Yorkshire – J P Harrison’s Brafferton Trooper of 2013, a smart well-grown bull by Brafferton Trooper 15, and going back to Portman Burtley and Juniper lines.  He went on to sell for 4,000 guineas to A E J & F J Claridge from Middle Clayden, Bucks, to join their Knowlhill herd.

Reserve champion was also from the north of England – Lumbylaw Horizon 7, an April 2013-born bull by Lumbylaw Halcyon 8, with grandsires Welland Valley Hanbury 10 and Sexton Conqueror 67, and forward from Robert Lee, Lumbylaw, Alnwick, Northumberland.  This bull was top price at 6,400 guineas, selling to Mr B Kingham, Aldbourne, Marlborough, Wiltshire.

From the same Lumbylaw stable, a second bull Lumbylaw Halcyon 35 by Welland Valley Hanbury 10, and with high recorded figures, sold to K & A Watchorn, Walton on the Wolds, Leicestershire for the next highest price of 5,100 guineas.

In the female section, Mr Shinner picked out Welland Valley Princess 26, from M E & T E Broome’s Thorpe Langton, Leicestershire herd as his female champion.  This stylish March 2013-born bulling heifer, by North View Apollo, and by Welland Valley Princess 21 sold to Mrs J Archer from North Tudenham, Norfolk, for the top female price of 2,500 guineas.

Next highest female price was J P Harrison’s Brafferton Princess 3, selling to E C & M M Everall, Ludlow, Shropshire for 1,900 guineas.  This in-calf heifer was by the same sire as the male champion and out of Brafferton Princess 2.

Top priced yearling heifer was Broadwood Gladrial 1 from Mr J White, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, with Stretchford, Erme, Juniper and Trevassack bloodlines, who sold to Mrs P Kendall, Thorpe Langton, Leicestershire for 1,750 guineas.

Consignments of heifers from A E J & F J Claridge, David Smallcombe Ltd, Mr C J Page, and Hadley Farms Ltd topped at 1,600; 1,750; 1,650; and 1,600 guineas respectively.

Auctioneer Mark Bromell from Kivells, Holsworthy, Devon, said “Strong interest and enthusiastic bidding for the quality stock on offer led to a good sale!”

Averages: 9 bulls £3,687; 18 heifers born 2013 £1,671; 6 heifers born 2014 £1,146. 

Auctioneers: Kivells