The Irish Belgian Blue Cattle Society hosted its premier autumn sale in Tullamore on Friday, with trade topping at €4,500.

The catalogue of 20 animals incorporated the reduction sale of Myles McDermott’s Rathlyon herd, which achieved many of the night’s top prices. Leading the way was 10-month-old Rathlyon Niamh who was described by Myles as “one of the best heifers ever bred on the farm”. Sired by ADU, the four-star heifer was all-Ireland junior female calf champion at this year’s Tinahely Show.

The reduction comprised of eight females and two males in total, many of which have won top accolades over the previous few years. This show success helped in seeing all of the quality lots presented for sale by the McDermott family sell to average just shy of €3,200.

Rathlyon Kate was next highest in the prices when she sold for €3,650. This black-and-white two-year-old heifer is sired by De Fooz and goes back to a Gitan-bred dam.

Myles later sold Rathlyon Kathleen for €3,550. This three-year-old Empire daughter sold three-and-a-half months pregnant carrying her second calf. Just behind her at €3,500 was Rathlyon Lucille. Another black-and-white heifer, she is sired by Gitan and stood overall champion at Ossory during the summer of 2018.

Males

In the males, top price was achieved for the reserve champion Boherard Michelin Man. This bull was offered for sale following a super summer at shows cumulating in a junior all-Ireland championship win. Sired by Dafydd, his mother is former Tullamore champion Timoney Fern. Bred by David Pearson, Ballacolla, Co Laois, this one found a new home at €3,500.

Taking the overall championship on the night was Summerview Max from Keith McKinney, Letterkenny, Co Donegal. This 18 month old Imperial son is out of former Balmoral champion Fortfield Kelly. However, having failed to meet his reserve, he left the ring unsold.