Border British Blue Club 35th Annual Spring Show & Sale
Friday 8th & Saturday 9th May 2026
At the 35th Spring Show & Sale for the Border British Blue Club held at Carlisle on 9 May, trade for British Blue cattle was exceptionally strong, with the top price reaching 19,000gns. The sale reflected a very buoyant trade with strong demand from both pedigree breeders and commercial suckled calf producers.
Brennand Umpire 19,000gns
It was the Intermediate Champion and Reserve Supreme Champion, Brennand Umpire (lot 39) from the Walker family, who realised the top price of 19,000gns, sired by the prolific Dafydd D’Ochain and out of Brennand Mandy, this very stylish, correct bull caught the eye of suckled calf producers, Messrs. Allinson & Son, Barnard Castle.
Solway View Unionjack - Overall Supreme Champion - 14,000gns
The show judge, Robert Paterson of the Auchenlay Herd, together with the shadow judge, Joe Pattinson, tapped out Solway View Unionjack (lot 68) from Maulscastle Farming, as Junior Champion and Overall Supreme Champion. This October ’24-born son of Topgun Splash and out of Solway View Majestic, realised 14,000gns and sold to Phil Halhead of Norbreck Genetics.
Springhill Ulster Man 17,000gns
Northern Ireland breeders, James & Sam Martin sold the first of their three bulls for 17,000gns. It was first prize winner Springhill Ulster Man, (lot 19) who was sired by the old genetics of Ridge Dean Mahogany and out of Springhill Razzle Dazzle, who caught the eye of fellow breeders, Messrs. Morgan, of the Almeley Herd, Hereford.
Solway View Unrivalled 12,000gns
There were five bulls who realised 12,000gns, the first was Solway View Unrivalled (lot 5) from Maulscastle Farming. This second-place prize winner, sired ty Tattoo VD Sijsloberg and out of Solway View Limelight, a Bringlee Evadine daughter, found a new home with JA Wood & Sons, Kinnerton Farm, Shrewsbury.
Coul Estate Partnership sold the first of their string of three bulls for 12,000gns and it was Coul Blue Ultimatum (lot 10) an Aultmore Maverick son, out of Solway View Pixie, who realised the highest price, and it was Aucheneck Estates, Stirlingshire, who were the successful purchasers.
Dragon Blues Unique 12,000gns
Dragon Blues Unique (lot 24), from GW & K Williams, a mostly black bull, who stood first in his class, sired by Langoureux De Fooz and out of the Cromwell Fendt sired Dragon Blues Kelly caught the eye of RJ Shennan, Girvan, who paid the 12,000gns price tag.
Also at 12,000gns was Clifftown Unique (lot 61) from Dylan Townend, this stylish bull, sired by Hazard VD Pannemeers and out of the show cow, Clifftown Ladyluck finds a new home with WN Lindsay, Angus.
Almeley Usman 12,000gns
The Morgan family of the Almeley Herd sold Almeley Usman (lot 62) from their string of exceptional bulls for 12,000gns. This black and white son of their stock bull Gass Okay was out of the natural calving line of Almeley Neighbours, and finds a new home with Messrs. Millichap, West Glamorgan.
The same stable also sold three bulls for 10,000gns, the first was the Reserve Intermediate Male Champion, Almeley Under Armour (lot 31) again by Gass Okay, but this time out of Almeley Millie May. The successful purchaser was Messrs. Taylor & Gill Cockermouth. Next was Almeley U Ripper (lot 36) another Gass Okay son, out of Almeley Riley who went home with Sam Sinclair, Orkney.
The red and white, Almeley Upcoming (lot 51), a July 2024 born son, out of the Chocolat D’Ochamps, Almeley Miss Unique flush, also realised 10,000gns and after spirited bidding, it was B Owens, Newtown who secured him.
Also realising 10,000gns, was the Champion Senior Male, Hallfield Umanga (lot 11) the first of the pen of powerful bulls from Messrs. Gill & Luscombe. Umanga, a light blue roan bull was sired by the homebred, Hallfield Mojo and out of Hallfield Misty. The successful purchaser was TR Lawn, Whitby.
47 Bulls Averaged £8106.68.
Females
Solway View Ucorker 16,000gns
Topping the strong female trade at 16,000gns was Solway View Ucorker (lot 97) from Maulscastle Farming. This September ’24-born heifer by Topgun Splash and out of Solway View Pearl, holds some of the best breeding from Solway View, and caught the eye of Dan Jones, Newtown, Powys.
Solway View Ustar - Female Champion - 15,000gns
From the same stable, the Female Champion, Solway View Ustar (lot 91) left the sale-ring unsold, but later sold to Christopher Dick, Stirling, for his Carse Herd for 15,000gns. Ustar, sired by Engin D Hontoir (sire of Topgun Splash) and out of the Empire sired Solway View Rising Star, sold with an entry to the Royal Highland Show.
Almeley Viennetta 12,000gns
The top priced heifer from the Almeley consignment was Almeley Viennetta (lot 113), a September ’25-born, stylish red & white Iz Priceless daughter and out of Almeley Tangerine, proved too good an opportunity to miss for Rebecca Mountain of the Great Ghyll Herd, who secured her for 12,000gns.
Crackley Bank Ubelter - Reserve Female Champion - 10,000gns
The Reserve Champion Female, Crackley Bank Ubelter (lot 103) from Paul Walker sold for 10,000gns. A very correct, modern daughter of Dodou De St Remacle and out of Crackley Bank Baroness, she caught the eye of Emily South, Oxfordshire.
Betterbread Livestock Services purchased Solway View Violet (lot 105) from Maulscastle Farming for 9,000gns. This special heifer is the first born in the world to her sire, Buffalo Bill Du Bosquet and the first to be offered for sale.
21 Bulling/ Maiden Heifers £7500.00
3 Recipients with calves at foot £6195.00
Auctioneers: Harrison & Hetherington
Photos: Wayne Hutchinson
