51AVÊÓÆµ

Stirling Bull Sales: Backmuir Vodka breaks Beef Shorthorn record

Beef Shorthorn bulls set a new record of 40,000gns at the first Stirling February showcase. With 55 bulls sold, the trade averaged £9,234, up £2,758 on the year

clock • 3 min read
Reserve overall and intermediate champion Backmuir Vodka, from Reece Simmers, which sold for 40,000gns to Aucheneck Estates, Killearn.
Image:

Reserve overall and intermediate champion Backmuir Vodka, from Reece Simmers, which sold for 40,000gns to Aucheneck Estates, Killearn.

Leading the Beef Shorthorn tradeÌýand settingÌýtheÌýnew breed recordÌýwasÌýBackmuirÌýVodka,ÌýtheÌýreserve overall championÌýfrom Reece Simmers, Keith.Ìý

Known for running theÌýBackmuirÌýSimmental herd, Mr Simmers is new to theÌýbreed andÌýmarked hisÌýfirst time selling a Beef Shorthorn bull.ÌýÌý

TheÌýGlenislaÌýSaturn son wasÌýpurchasedÌýprivately in utero from a neighbouring farmer,Ìýalong with the rest of theÌýpedigree Beef Shorthorn herd, which stands at 15 cows.Ìý

The record breakerÌýsold toÌýAucheneckÌýEstates, Killearn.Ìý

READ NOW: Stirling Bull Sales: 60,000gns Aberdeen-Angus bull sets new recordÌý

Next atÌý24,000gns wasÌýCutthornÌýVision,Ìýa March 2024-born bull from Alastair Gibson, County Durham. Marking Mr Gibson's best price to date, it was knockedÌýdown to theÌýDavid Leggat,ÌýLogiealmond.ÌýÌý

undefined
Cutthorn Vision from Alastair Gibson, County Durham, which sold for 24,000gns to David Leggat, Logiealmond.

Balquhadly Vanguard, a July 2024-born bull from Alice and Alan Haigh, Brechin, sold for 22,000gns. Previously placing male champion at Fife Show and native junior inter-breed champion at Perth Show, it went home with Tom Bradley-Farmer, Dumfries. Ìý

undefined
Balquhadly Vanguard from Alice and Alan Haigh, Brechin, which sold for 22,000gns to Tom Bradley-Farmer, Dumfries.

READ NOW: Three generations drive pedigree Beef Shorthorn success in Ceredigion

Making 17,000gns wasÌýPortnadoranÌýViscount, from Audrey MacDonald, Arisaig. Previously placing breed champion at the Royal Highland Show it was sold to the Landers family, Newton Stewart.ÌýÌý

undefined
Portnadoran Viscount from Audrey MacDonald, Arisaig, which sold for 17,000gns to the Landers family, Newton Stewart.

AlsoÌýat 17,000gns wasÌýGlenislaÌýVenture, from Major John Gibb and his daughter Catriona, Perthshire. By the home-bred bullÌýGlenislaÌýSunrise, it went home with James Porter, Dromore.ÌýÌý

undefined
Glenisla Venture from Major John Gibb and his daughter Catriona, Perthshire, which sold for 17,000gns to James Porter, Dromore.

READ NOW: Why is Beef Shorthorn the breed of choice for one North Yorkshire finishing unit?

The reserve intermediate championÌýVan Gough ofÌýUpsall,Ìýfrom the team atÌýUpsallÌýCastle Farms, Thirsk, was next at 16,000gns. Out of Tessa X844 ofÌýUpsall, the oldest cow in the herd, it was knocked down to J. Thomson, Brampton.Ìý

undefined
Reserve intermediate champion Van Gough of Upsall, from Upsall Castle Farms, Thirsk, which sold for 16,000gns to J. Thomson, Brampton.

Two bulls sold to 14,000gns. The first at this money was another from theÌýUpsallÌýCastle Farms consignment and the senior champion,ÌýVagabond ofÌýUpsall.ÌýBreed champion at last year's Great Yorkshire Show, it was knocked down to the Firm ofÌýShawhead,ÌýShawhead.ÌýÌý

Male championÌýCoxhillÌýValour, from Lucinda Townsend, Moffat,Ìýalso sold forÌý14,000gns.ÌýByÌýMeonsideÌýNidavellir, it went home with S. Davidson, Peterhead.ÌýÌý

AÌýfurtherÌýtwo bulls sold for 13,000gns. In first was another from Mr Simmer'sÌýBackmuirÌýconsignment,ÌýBackmuirÌýViper.ÌýItÌýsold to Ian Green, Fochabers.ÌýÌý

Tom Bradley Farmer was next at this money, withÌýa May 2024-born bullÌýMeonsideÌýVice Captain. ByÌýHighskyÌýRoger, it was knocked down toÌýEastmillÌýFarm, Blairgowrie.ÌýÌý

Next at 11,500gns wasÌýStonehillsÌýVaÌýVaÌýVoom, from Geoff Riby,ÌýFraisthorpe. ByÌýGlenislaÌýNobleman, it went home with Kirsty Oakes, Wendling.ÌýÌý

Topping the tradeÌýat 6,500gns forÌýBeef ShorthornÌýfemales was Tom Bradley Farmer, Dumfries, withÌýMeonsideÌýCatriona Rosebud Viz. ByÌýPodeholeÌýPiper which has bred sons to 18,000gns, it sold to D. and A.C.ÌýShakeshaft, Shropshire.ÌýÌý

Next at 5,600gnsÌýwasÌýHeadlindÌýHolly Nutmeg, a third calver fromÌýAllan Jackson, Lanark, which sold toÌýNetherwood Beef Shorthorns,ÌýBanknock.ÌýÌý

HyndfordÌýVictoria, a July 2024-born heifer from Ian Tennant, Lanark, sold for 4,200gns. It went homeÌýwith Sandringham Estates, Norfolk.ÌýÌý

AveragesÌý

55 bulls, £9,234 average (+£2,758 on 2025); 9 females, £4,083 average.ÌýÌý

Auctioneers:ÌýUnited Auctions.Ìý

More on Shows & Sales

View from the Rostrum - Will Alexander: "The next lot was a silk nightie. 'Model it, Will,' they shouted"

View from the Rostrum - Will Alexander: "The next lot was a silk nightie. 'Model it, Will,' they shouted"

Auctioneer at Bentham Auction Mart, Will Alexander discusses the state of current trade

clock 29 January 2026 • 3 min read
Umpire tops British Blues at 17,000gns at Carlisle

Umpire tops British Blues at 17,000gns at Carlisle

Leading the trade at 17,000gns at the British Blue Cattle Society sale at Carlisle was first prize winner, Pendle Umpire from A.M. and E. Hartley, Nelson

clock 29 January 2026 • 2 min read
A century of trade: Talgarth Market celebrates 100 years

A century of trade: Talgarth Market celebrates 100 years

In this latest instalment of the Mart’s The Heart Standing the Test of Time series, supported by the Livestock Auctioneers Association and Shearwell Data, Ellie Layton visits Talgarth Livestock Mart.

clock 28 January 2026 • 5 min read