That was four-year-old Solar Eclipse of Balgray which is by Troloss Impeccable and out of Lunar Eclipse of Balgray, a dam with numerous accolades to its name. It changed hands with its Kirkstead Expert-sired heifer calf, Winter Eclipse of Balgray, to Paula and Craig Jessop, Coleorton, for their growing herd.
Messrs Jessop also secured the next highest priced lot when they paid 6,500gns for two-year-old Ufemia of Balgray. Sired by Blackcraig Kodiac and out of Sarafina of Balgray, Efemia was reserve inter-breed at Westmorland show at just 12 months of age, and earlier this year stood inter-breed champion at Langholm.
Adding to their herd, Messrs Jessops bought Phoebe of Balgray, a six-year-old Troloss Impeccable daughter, for 4,000gns. Bred from the renowned Penningham Queen, it is another with an impressive show career including inter-breed at the Great Yorkshire in 2021 and inter-breed at Dumfries the following year.
Next best at 6,000gns was Political of Balgray, another six-year-old by the 9,200gns Troloss Impeccable which sold to Carolyn and Dexter Logan, Alva, Stirling, along with its heifer calf at foot by Kirkstead Expert.
Hitting 3,700gns was the April 2022-born Taylor of Balgray, an Octavius of Balgray daughter that sold to Donald Simpson, Perth, again with its heifer calf by the Kirkstead bull.
Messrs Common, Lockerbie, paid 3,400gns for Tayanna of Balgray and its heifer calf by Kirkstead Expert, while James Campbell, Strathaven, paid 3,300gns for Olympia of Balgray and its heifer calf.
Averages: 2 bulls, £2,205; 5 in-calf cows, £2,352; 8 in-calf heifers, £2,585; 17 cows with bull calves, £2,902; 17 cows with heifer calves, £3,810.
Auctioneers: Wallets Marts.
