South Devon Society’s Midland Club Sale Results - 3rd May 2010

SOUTH DEVONS TO 6200 GNS AT STRATFORD

Robert Lee’s Lumbylaw Magnus 25

A strong line of pedigree bulls and heifers at the South Devon Midland Club’s 23rd annual sale at Stratford brought interest from across England, Wales and Scotland, with a good trade for well-structured cattle.

Judge Peter Rowe, from Trewint, Menheniot, Cornwall quickly selected his male and breed champion which then went on to achieve top price of 6,200 guineas in the sale ring. Robert Lee’s Lumbylaw Magnus 25, an organic status bull from Alnwick, Northumberland is by Enterprise Condor, and out of Lumbylaw Mermaid 5 who carries Sexton bloodlines. The sire has produced calves of tremendous growth and length. The bull was acquired by Mr & Mrs Mark Rushbrooke, and will go into their Brettles herd at Shatterford, Bewdley, in Shropshire.

In the heifer judging, breeders J R Bastard & Son from Launceston, Cornwall, took top place in the 2008-born line-up with Tregada Holly 40, by Godworthy Excalibur 50 and out of Tregada Holly 31 with bloodlines from the Highgate herd.

Winner of the 2009-born class was a very striking wide heifer from A & P Rickett’s Juniper herd, Juniper Jarrah, by Goffe Cave Persius 3.

In the sale ring, following Lumbylaw Magnus 25’s success at 6,200 guineas, were two bulls at 3,000 guineas – W J Wright & Son’s Leicestershire-bred Oxey Starbuster 3 who sold to Mr C W Jackson from Ely in Cambridgeshire; and J White’s Edmeston Zodiac 2 who goes up to Mr Robert Lee’s Lumbylaw herd in Northumberland.

Demand for females was steady, with particular interest in consignments of stock from the Tregada herd in Cornwall, and the Aldbourne Chase herd in Wiltshire.

The champion bulling heifer, Tregada Holly 40 topped the female trade at 2,850 guineas to Mr I Howard, Ashbourne, Derbyshire, who also acquired the champion maiden heifer, Juniper Jarrah for 1,800 guineas. Next highest priced bulling heifer was Northwick Estate’s Northwick Marigold 6, selling to Mr D Holt from Oxfordshire for 2,800 guineas.

Averages: bulls £2,528; halter-broken bulling heifers £1,613; halter-broken maiden heifers £1,282

Auctioneers: Messrs Kivells