The much-anticipated Stirling October Bull Sales once again delivered a strong trade, averaging £7,656 highest ever and up 29% on the year and clearance of 84%, the highest this decade. Both the show and sale days drew excellent crowds, with a busy ringside atmosphere reflecting the continued enthusiasm and confidence in the Aberdeen-Angus breed. The show was ably judged by Alwyn Armour of the Woodvale Herd, Northern Ireland, who carried out his task with great skill and attention to detail.
The top price of 18,000gns was achieved by Neil Wattie Esq’s Tonley Errol A187. This outstanding bull is sired by Kilmaluag Eriskay T203 and out of Tonley Evora X832, boasting a Terminal Sire Index (TSI) of +54 and Self-Replacing Index (SRI) of +103. He was purchased by the Graham family, Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire, for their Carruthers herd.
Next in trade was Orbliston Prince Columbus A307 of the Firm of AM Shepherd, who reached 12,500gns. This Orbliston Blacksmith X253 son, out of Orbliston Princess Cheryl X236 went home with The Steele Family of Pitroddie Farm, Perth.
The third top price of 11,000gns went to McCornick North A142, from the McCornick herd. This April 2024-born bull, sired by Duncanziemere Jupiter Y470 and out of McCornick Nelita Y911, with figures of TSI +52 and SRI +60, sold to Barnetson & Sons, Wick, Caithness.
5 Bulls tapped out at 10,000gns.
The first was Rulesmains Platinum A938, from Andrew S. Hodge Esq., sired by Blelack Prince Camelot W017 and out of Rulesmains Princess T990. This Senior Champion and Overall Reserve Male Champion was secured jointly by the partnership of Dixon and Walton from Newcastle and Northumberland respectively.
The next bull to go at this price was Auchincrieve Ethnic A096 sired by Auchincrieve Lord Incubus X753 and out of Auchincrieve Ethelle W554 from Messrs C & E McCombie. This bull was male champion at Turriff 2025 and won 1st prize calf at the Black Beauty Bonanza 2024 and sold to the Foubisters of Orkney.
Mosshall Red Simba A649, from the Taylors, reached the same figure. Sired by Mosshall Red Quintin W113 and out of Galcantray Red Sue S975, with a TSI of +38 and SRI of +56, he was purchased by R. E. C. Glass, Deecastle, Aberdeenshire.
The Overall and Junior Champion, Drumhill Express Root A883, bred by Jonathan and Lisa Doyle, also sold for 10,000gns. This April 2024-born bull, with TSI +47 and SRI +56, was purchased by Seafield Pedigrees, Beoley, Redditch.
Completing the group at 10,000gns was Keirsbeath Proud Juggernaut A610, from Caroline Orr, sired by Kilmallie Juggernaut Eric Y389 and out of Keirsbeath Pam Y584, with figures of TSI +48 and SRI +55. He was purchased by T. M. Strang, Angus.
The Doyles’ second sale, Drumhill Powerpoint A846, realised 8,500gns, selling to Orkney. Sired by Drumhill Major Player X317 and out of Nightingale Precious Princess W047, he continued a strong day’s trade for the herd. Also heading to Orkney was Brotherton Jagger Eric A012, bred by David Alexander, for 8,000gns. This Blelack Jumping Jackflash X160 son, out of Rulesmains Jan Erica W329, was joined at the same money by his stablemate Brotherton Loki A014, the Reserve Senior Champion, who sold to B. & J. Mackay, Skitten. Also selling for 8,000gns was McCornick Kibosh A155, from the McCornick herd, sired by Wedderlie Valentine W217 and out of McCornick Kitty W708, and was sold to the Montgomery family, Renfrewshire.
In the female section, trade peaked at 7,500gns for Mosshall Red Millie A667, from the Taylors of Mosshall. This Female Champion, sired by Mosshall Red Quintin W113 and out of Mosshall Red Millie U871, was purchased by J. & A. Strathdee, Aberdeenshire. The second top female price of 4,800gns was achieved by Brailes Black Bee Y245, bred by Brailes Livestock and bought by J. T. Fleming & Son, Hawick, Roxburgh.
Judge Alwyn Armour commented:
“It was an honour to judge at Stirling, and I was impressed by the overall standard of bulls forward. There was a strong depth of quality across the classes, with many bulls displaying good heads, strong carcass development, easy fleshing, and excellent locomotion.”
Sale Statistics
Average £7656 (32)
Clearance 84%
Top price £ 18,900
| Lot Number | Animal Name | Price (£) |
| Bulls | ||
| 40 | Tonley Erroll A187 | 18,900 |
| 3 | Orbliston Prince Columbus A307 | 13,125 |
| 37 | McCornick North A142 | 11,550 |
| 6 | Rulesmains Platinum A938 | 10,500 |
| 8 | Auchincrieve Ethnic A096 | 10,500 |
| 10 | Mosshall Red Simba A649 | 10,500 |
| 30 | Drumhill Express Root A883 | 10,500 |
| 45 | Keirsbeath Proud Juggernaut A610 | 10,500 |
| 25 | Drumhill Powerpoint A856 | 8,925 |
| 14 | Brotherton Jagger Eric A012 | 8,400 |
| 15 | Brotherton Loki A014 | 8,400 |
| 39 | McCornick Kibosh A155 | 8,400 |
| 9 | Auchincrieve European A097 | 7,875 |
| 32 | Skaill Dark Side A991 | 7,875 |
| 29 | Cardona Edwin A570 | 7,350 |
| 43 | Tonley Eagleeyed A194 | 7,140 |
| 4 | Idvies Eddie A166 | 6,825 |
| 13 | Idvies Pavarotti A180 | 6,825 |
| 35 | McCornick Kickbox A141 | 6,510 |
| 7 | Tonley Explosion A136 | 6,300 |
| 11 | Scotsmill Extra Pride A069 | 6,300 |
| 18 | Rulesmains Black Blasé A985 | 6,300 |
| 23 | Idvies Proud Pete A188 | 6,300 |
| 33 | Duncanziemere Saltire A571 | 6,300 |
| 41 | Duncanziemere Jasper A587 | 6,300 |
| 20 | Skaill Elvis A933 | 5,775 |
| 28 | Thrunton Poldark A767 | 5,775 |
| 24 | Idvies Frankie A191 | 5,460 |
| 16 | Denamona Primer A416 | 5,250 |
| 17 | Mosshall Eion A679 | 4,725 |
| 19 | Hallington Pedro A842 | 4,725 |
| 42 | Mosston Muir Elvis A493 | 4,725 |
| 44 | Brailes Black Brian A352 | 4,725 |
| 2 | Kilmaluag Local Hero Z380 | 4,410 |
| 31 | Cardona Edwin A576 | 3,675 |
| Females | ||
| 51 | Mosshall Red Millie A667 | 7,875 |
| 65 | Brailes Black Bee Y245 | 5,040 |
| 54 | Tonley Princess A144 | 4,200 |
| 60 | Mosshall Red Sue A720 | 4,200 |
