It was always going to be tough to top last years record breaking sale, but the fourth IAAA Extravaganza did just that. Average on the year rose by over €100 per head to settle at €5,056 with double the number of animals selling for €6,000 or more then any other year. Held in Mid-Tipp mart the first weekend of October the sale has now proven itself as the number one Angus sale in Ireland.
For the fourth consecutive year it was one of the select male entries which topped the sale. Securing a bid of €12,500 was Tara Jubilee Eric A073 from the herd of Malachy Tighe, Batterstown, Co Meath. This super stylish September 2024 born bull is a son of former stock bull Stouphill Mr Perry with his dam line containing the Ebony, Kim, Evora and Rosa Erica lines. This bull is no stranger to success having secured the supreme ABP bull of the future competition at Iverk show in August. Auctioneer Denis Barrett had no problem finding bids, but it was Gigginstown Aberdeen Angus who came out on top. This topped an exceptional day for the Meath breeder who also sold his two young heifers to average €5,100.
The €7,000 price tag was hit on three occasions. First of these and selling for the joint top female price was Luddenmore Miss Essence A642 from the herd of Dr Michael Sheahan, Cappawhite, Co Limerick. This powerful heifer is sired by Drumhill Lord Hampstead who also sired the Extravaganza calf show champion in 2023. This is matched with the in-demand genetics of Friarstown Evolver and a cow the result of embryo from Miller Wilsons.
The Luddenmore herd witnessed a stellar day, with all four of their entries selling to average €6,425. Next in line was Luddenmore Frances A651 at €6,400. This heifer is a genetic full sister to last years Extravaganza calf show champion with the sire Carruthers Earl. At €6,200 was Luddenmore Frances A671, the same way bred on the dams side as the previous lot but this time sired by the homebred stock bull Luddenmore Ebony Boy. Finally at €6,100 was Luddenmore Fleur A652. This powerful heifer was the same way bred as the €7,000 lot with both Lord Hampstead and Evolver in the direct ancestry.
Matching the price of €7,000 in the female ring was the very last lot of the day, Carbery Lady Hilton B578. This heifer was bred and exhibited by Keith and Caroline Vickery, Rosscarbery, Co Cork. Born January 2025, this stylish young heifer is sired by Drumcrow Reek and out of a homebred dam by Carrigroe Fred. The Carbery team got four heifers with an average age of 10 months away to average €4,400.
Also securing a bid of €7,000 was the second highest priced male, Mogeely Farmer A967. This big young bull was brought out by Albert DeCogan, Castlemartyr, Co Cork. Sired by Dunard Navigator he is out of the in-demand Flora line and carried strong indexes down the line.
Staying with the bulls and next in line was Mercury Emoji A950 who hit the market at €6,900. This well-made young bull was bred by John and Shane Murphy, Banteer, Co Cork and sired by their former stock bull McCornick Kapaldi and out of the same dam as last years record breaking Red Evo Z910.
Selling at €6,600 was Kealkil Lady Emma A624 from Ciaran Kelleher, Bantry, Co Cork. This HF Rebel daughter is out of a full sister to the well-known Kealkil Prime Lad and came to the sale as the highest indexed animal catalogued.
Matching this price was Gabriel Hoey from Lusk, Co Dublin when he sold Rathmooney Diana A163. This stylish October 2024 born heifer is the first offered for sale by this years All Ireland senior bull champion Laheens Virgo.
Hitting €6,200 was Blackpark Lady Josie A865 from Joe and Sean Maher, Ballyfoyle, Co Kilkenny. This stylish August 2024 born heifer is sired by the high performance Rawburn Boss Hogg and out of Portanes U Paula. She sold with five stars on most traits.
Gigginstown Rose Idvies Z809 was next in line when she sold for €6,000. This Drumcrow Twenty-Twenty daughter is out of Shadwell Rose who was purchased at the record-breaking dispersal in 2022. This marked the first time ever the Gigginstown sold at the Extravaganza and sold both presented to average €5,100.
Many thanks to the team at Midd-Tipp mart, Catherine at MacGregor Photography and Denis Barrett as auctioneer.
We are indebted to our sponsors Zurich Insurance and Angus Beef Ireland for their continued success.
