Tom Brennan, Balleen, Freshford, Co. Kilkenny achieved a double triumph at the recent multi-breed Spring bull sales at Kilkenny securing €3400 twice for two homebred bulls from the famous Balleen Herd. Balleen Diplomat, a four star terminal index bull sired by CH 3223 Visa 57X and out of the former show heifer, Balleen Polly was to first to sell at €3400. A short time later, this bull’s full brother, Balleen Perfection sold for the same money at €3400 also, rounding out a very successful day for the Kilkenny native.

Joint top priced bull, Balleen Perfection with Tom Brennan (exhibitor) who sold for €3400.

New breeder, Seamus Rohan, Listrolin, Mullinavat, Co. Kilkenny secured the third best price of the sale, selling Listrolin Lad, a September 2015 born bull, for €3200. This five stars ICBF terminal index bull is sired by former RDS Champion of Champions recipient, Kye Rodge 553 and is out of Balleen Maeve 798.

Third highest priced bull, Listrolin Lad who sold for €3200.

One of the oldest bulls in the sale, Ballyraggan Domino 830, exhibited by James Thompson, Ballyraggan, Rathvilly, Co. Carlow traded at €3100. This bull was born in April 2015 and is sired by the stock bull Woodview Everest and is out of Ballyraggan Whitehorn 625.

Fourth highest priced bull, Ballyraggan Domino 830 with James Thompson (exhibitor) and purchaser, who sold for €3100.

The Reserve Champion bull, Chatsworth Joe, exhibited by Thomas Henessy, Chatsworth, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny sold for €3000. This bull is sired by Lakelodge Joe 3 and is out of homebred dam from the Dolly family at Chatsworth.

Reserve Champion, Chatsworth Joe with Thomas Henessy (exhibitor) who sold for €3000.

The Supreme Championship, under joint judges Michael & Niall Jones, Knockduff, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford was awarded to regular exhibitor, Christy Finn, Bawngariff, Ballycallan, Co. Kilkenny with Bawngarriff Gigolo. This bull failed to meet his reserve in the sales ring and was unsold.

Supreme Champion, Bawngarriff Gigolo with Christy Finn (exhibtor).

Overall, trade was extremely brisk with an almost 70% clearance selling to an average

of €3170.

Report & Photography by Edward Dudley