Brownhill Vanilla crowned champion at Elite Female Sale

Presiding over the day's judging was Mel Alford of the acclaimed Foxhill Farm herd. The Alford family are among the UK's most respected Charolais breeders, with decades of success in both the pedigree and commercial sectors and a reputation for producing cattle renowned for their correctness, performance and style.

She faced the difficult task of selecting her champions from a strong line-up of females.

Commenting afterwards, Alford noted the depth of quality on show and praised the consistency of the females presented throughout the classes.

Alford praised the quality presented throughout the day before tapping out Brownhill Vanilla, exhibited by Devine Brothers, as both Senior Champion and Overall Champion. The stylish heifer later went on to top the sale at 5,000gns, selling to Richard Beattie.

Brownhill Vanilla is sired by Kilvilcorris Royal and bred from the Brownhill Louise cow family. Her combination of breed character, correctness and performance saw her rise to the top of a highly competitive championship line-up.

Standing reserve to the Overall Champion was the stylish Killadeas Anna from the herd of S & D Bothwell. The first-prize winner of Class 2, she realised 4,300gns and is sired by Lapon out of Killadeas Trisha.

The Bothwell family enjoyed a memorable day in the show ring, securing first prizes in three of the four classes on offer. Their successful run began with Killadeas Anna, while Killadeas Angela, sired by Magicien and out of the homebred Killadeas Sea, went on to claim the Junior Championship. Completing the trio of class winners was Killadeas Ava, a daughter of Hatenon out of the homebred cow Snapchat. The results underlined the strength and consistency of the Killadeas breeding programme.

Alongside the elite female sale, breeders also had the opportunity to purchase females from the respected Inisrush Herd of William Whyte and Tanhill Herd of A Armstrong. Leading this section was Inisrush Voted, a daughter of Corrie Alan from the noted Inisrush Princess family, which sold for 4,700gns.

The event once again highlighted the depth of pedigree Charolais breeding across Northern Ireland, with leading breeders showcasing females carrying some of the breed's most influential bloodline.

Results

Supreme Champion: Champion: Brownhill Vanilla - Devine Brothers; Reserve Champion: Killadeas Anna - S & D Bothwell.

Senior Championship: Champion: Brownhill Vanilla - Devine Brothers; Reserve Champion: Killadeas Anna - S & D Bothwell.

Junior Championship: Champion: Killadeas Angela - S & D Bothwell; Reserve Champion: Brogher Alma - T Phair.

Class 1: 1st: Brownhill Vanilla - Devine Brothers, 2nd: Brogher Vera - Trevor Phair, 3rd: Hillview Violet - B Quinn.

Class 2: 1st: Killadeas Anna - S & D Bothwell, 2nd: Altnaderog Astar - M G & G McShane, 3rd: Altnaderog Adorable - M G & G McShane.

Class 3: 1st: Killadeas Angela - S & D Bothwell, 2nd: Brogher Alma - T Phair, 3rd: Killadeas Annabella - S & D Bothwell.

Class 4: 1st: Killadeas Ava - S & D Bothwell, 2nd: Cullaghmore Annabelle - W Knox, 3rd: Cullaghmore Angel - W Knox.