Haltcliffe Archer steals the spotlight at 45,000gns at Carlisle October sale

A strong selection of bulls was on offer, catering to a wide range of farming systems and providing plenty of choice for both commercial and pedigree breeders. With 61% of bulls sold selling between 4,000 – 9,000gns, bulls were available at affordable competitive prices offering options to suit a wide range of budgets.

Despite ongoing challenges within the wider agricultural industry and rising input costs, the number of bulls sold increased year-on-year, with a solid clearance rate of 75%. This performance highlights the continued demand for Limousin genetics and reflects producers’ confidence in the breed’s ability to enhance herd performance and drive profitability.

Leading the trade was Lot 192 Haltcliffe Archer selling for 45,000gns, in what is believed to be a new UK and European record for a polled Limousin bull sold at public auction. This heterozygous polled bull was presented for sale by Haltcliffe Limousins based in Wigton, Cumbria. Archer, an April 2025-born bull, has double F94L myostatin and a Beef Value of LM40. He is sired by Ampertaine Shanghi and out of a Westpit Omaha daughter, Haltcliffe Tigress. He heads home with Guy Green to his polled Greensons herd, based in Cambridge.

Commenting on his purchase, Guy stated: “Archer is a polled bull I simply couldn’t leave behind. He has everything I look for in a Limousin bull, combining exceptional balance with tremendous length and depth through his loin.

“He is naturally easy fleshing and moves exceptionally well. Add in his easy-calving bloodlines, making him a suitable choice for heifers, Archer ticks a lot of boxes.

“All being well, Archer will head to Scawfell Genetics for semen collection before returning home to join our Greensons polled herd. I’m excited to see what he can bring to the future of our breeding programme.”

The second highest price of the day went to Lot 178 Ampertaine Aceman selling for 21,000gns, bred by James McKay, Upperlands, Co. Derry. This Foxhillfarm Ourbest son was sold to R M and G L Watkins, Herefordshire, for their Millend pedigree herd. His dam is Ampertaine Ombre, a full sister to Ampertaine Foreman, who sold for 38,000gns. Born in April 2025, he has double F94L myostatin and a Beef Value of LM52 placing him in the Top 1% of the breed.

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Joining him at 21,000gns was Lot 196 Dinmore Aero, bred by Paul Dawes, Hereford. This April 2025-born bull is sired by the herds French stock bull, Diamant. His dam line goes back to Dinmore Elle who was a previous Limousin Champion at the Royal Welsh Show. Aero has F94L/Q204X myostatin status and a Beef Value of LM38. The package of visual appeal and a strong pedigree was enough for W P Hughes and Son, Anglesey who take Aero home as a new stock sire for their Pabo herd.

Closely behind at 20,000gns was Lot 114 Wedderburn Apollo, bred by J K Hunter, Huntley, Aberdeenshire, who sold to Norman Farming Company, Carlisle, Cumbria. Born in January 2025, Apollo has double F94L myostatin and a Beef Value of LM40. He is sired by Strathearnred Nidge who has previously been an overall champion himself at Carlisle. Apollo had been crowned senior champion in the pre-sale show under the watchful eye of Neil Martin, from the Ashmara herd in Northern Ireland.

In the pre-sale show judge Neil selected Lot 223 Seisiog Ace as his overall champion. Presented for sale by Tecwyn Jones, he went on to sell for 10,000gns. This young bull came through the junior section to take the top honours. The youngest bull in the catalogue born in June 2025, he is sired by Seisiog Rio who is already leaving his mark having produced numerous commercial champions. Stemming from a proven family, Ace is a half-brother to Seisiog Untouchable who previously sold for 18,000gns. Ace now resides in Thirsk with Charles Ashbridge for his Ashbridge pedigree herd.

Two further bulls reached 20,000gns. First up was Lot 123 Garrowby Apache, bred by Garrowby Farm, York. This Grahams Rooney son sold to E W Quick and Sons, Devon, to join their Loosebeare pedigree herd. His dam is Gunnerfleet Nigeaster, a Plumtree Fantastic daughter who is one of the herds donor ET cows. Born in January 2025, Apache has F94L/Q204X myostatin and a Beef Value of LM43.

Next up at 20,000gns was Lot 186 Whinfellpark Ace, bred by Messrs Jenkinson, Penrith, Cumbria. This April 2025-born bull is one of the first sons to be sold from one of the herds current stock sires Sarkley Tyndall. Ace had previously enjoyed success this summer having claimed a 1st prize at the Highland Show and a 2nd prize at the Royal Welsh Show. He has F94L/NT821 myostatin and a Beef Value of LM42. The Whinfellpark team enjoyed considerable success throughout the day, with a total of 7 bulls presented for sale averaging £10,425.

At 18,000gns was Lot 161 Thorninghurst Austin, bred by Mr Stephen Gilleard, Doncaster. He sold away to Renton Highlaws Ltd, Morpeth, Northumberland, for their Highlaw pedigree herd. Born in March 2025, Austin has F94L/Q204X myostatin and a Beef Value of LM38. A few lots earlier Stephen sold Lot 158, Thorninghurst Admiral for 11,000gns to C and E Ogg, Aberdeenshire for their commercial herd.

At 17,000gns was Lot 172 Wilodge Alfred from Wilodge, Shifnal, Shropshire. Born in April 2025, Alfred is sired by the Objat son, Wilodge Formulaone, and is out of the Ampertaine Opportunity daughter, Ampertaine Tiara. He has F94L/Q204X myostatin and a Beef Value of LM47 which is in the Top 10% of the breed. He sold to T W Bell and Son Ltd, Keswick, Cumbria for their Wanthwaite pedigree herd.

Lot 177 Pabo Allspice, bred by W P Hughes and Sons, Rhosgoch, Anglesey sold away for 16,000gns to commercial producers JH and SM Mason, Lancashire. Sired by Foxhillfarm Ourbest, Allspice out of the Norman Harvest daughter Pabo Mared. He was born in April 2025 and has double F94L myostatin, alongside a Beef Value of LM47 which is in the Top 10% of the breed. The Hughes family sold 3 bulls in total to average £10,500.

Also making 16,000gns was Lot 197 Maraiscote Aleppo, bred by J Nimmo, Wishaw, North Lanarkshire, and purchased by E H Pennie and Son, Powys, for their Sarkley herd. This is one of the first sons to be sold sired by Glenrock Tiptop who was purchased privately from the Glenrock herd. Aleppo’s dam is the Bassingfield Machoman daughter, Maraiscote Pepper. Born in April 2025, Aleppo has F94L/Q204X myostatin status and a Beef Value of LM33.

FEMALES

Top price female 7,000gns

100% clearance rate

Average female price £4,039

On the evening prior to the bull sale, a draft of six females from the Confluence herd, owned by Messrs A and G J Ogg, Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, was offered for sale alongside the dispersal of the Teague herd, owned by J F and M B Teague, Balerno, Edinburgh. The sale achieved an average of £4,039, with a 100% clearance rate.

Top price for the day was Lot 11 Teague Ruby, an August 2020-born Netherhall Jackpot daughter, who sold for 7,000gns from J F and M B Teague. She is out of the homebred cow Teague Oyo and has F94L/NT821 myostatin. Ruby was sold with her April 2026-born heifer calf at foot Teague Bev, a Tomschoice Poseidon daughter. Ruby was sold in calf to 23,000gns Goldies Comet and heads home to H C Jewitt, Barnard Castle, Co Durham.

Two females went on to sell for 5,500gns each. The first was Lot 16 Teague Totty from J F and M B Teague, she is a Homebyres Potter daughter, who sold with her twin July 2026-born calves at foot, who are sired by Tomschoice Poseiden. Totty is a September 2022-born cow with F94L/NT821 myostatin. She is out of Teague Jojo, a Glenrock Ventura daughter. She heads home to commercial buyers McNabney Bros, Newton Stewart, who also bought Lot 15 Teague Tina and her heifer calf at foot for 4,800gns.

Also selling for 5,500gns was Lot 22 Teague Uva from J F and M B Teague. Uva is a September 2023-born Homebyres Potter daughter and out of the homebred cow Teague Paris, who is sired by Ampertaine Monarch. She has F94L/NT821 myostatin and heads home to the Freedom pedigree herd owned by P Capps Farming Ltd, Algarkirk, Boston.

Other leading prices:

BULLS

15,000gns – Lot 214 Maraiscote Astonmartin, from Mr J Nimmo, sold to N P Wilson, Reddings, Dumfries and Galloway.

13,000gns – Lot 155 Whinfellpark Avancii, from Messrs Jenkinson, sold to W H Jack and Sons, Ross-shire.

13,000gns – Lot 181 Fieldson Alfy, from Fieldson, sold to Cole Hill Farm Ltd, Hartlepool.

12,000gns – Lot 143 Poole Abracadabra, from Hilsdon, sold to K I Jones, Gwynedd. Reserve intermediate champion.

12,000gns – Lot 160 Ashledge Alabama, from Kirton and Sons, sold to RB Jones and Son, Montgomeryshire.

12,000gns – Lot 194 Ampertaine Alaska, from McKay, sold to A and D Proctor, Northumberland.

11,000gns – Lot 127 Ronick Amigo, from Dick and Sons, sold to WHM and W Sloan, Wigtownshire.

11,000gns – Lot 158 Thorninghurst Admiral, from Gilleard, sold to C and E Ogg, Aberdeenshire.

11,000gns – Lot 195 Whinfellpark Abercrombie, from Jenkinson, sold to T N Callender, Cleveland.

11,000gns – Lot 213 Dinmore Argent, from Dawes, sold to Firm of William, King, Lincolnshire. Reserve junior champion and reserve overall champion.

FEMALES

5,200gns -Lot 20 Teague Ursula, from J F and M B Teague, sold to S Richardson, Barnard Castle, County Durham.

5,200gns – Lot 23 Teague Uta, from J F and M B Teague, sold to T and E Jones, Lanllyfnil, Caernafron.

5,000gns – Lot 21 Teague Unique, from J F and M B Teague, sold to P Capps Farming Ltd, Algarkirk, Boston.

4,800gns – Lot 14 Teague Tess and bull calf at foot Teague Bob, from J F and M B Teague, sold to AR Lindsay, Bathgate, West Lothian.

4,800gns – Lot 15 Teague Tina and heifer calf at foot Teague Bee, from J F and M B Teague, sold to McNabney Bros, Newton Stewart.

4,600gns – Lot 18 Teague Upbeat, from J F and M B Teague, sold to P Capps Farming Ltd, Algarkirk, Boston.

4,600gns – Lot 19 Teague Urock, from J F and M B Teague, sold to R Wilkinson and R Tennant, Sandilands, Lanark.