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John Applebee finished off a year to remember at the Irish Angus elite show and sale when his 14-month-old heifer Carrigroe Mrs Dunbar secured the top price and the breed’s second top heifer price of €8,300.
The Applebee family has enjoyed success this year, having already won the senior championship at the Aldi All-Ireland finals at the Iverk Show and the supreme championship at the All-Irelands in Strokestown.
Picking up the reserve overall title under judge Norman Little, Mrs Dunbar is no stranger to success having claimed first prize at the All-Irelands in September. Sired by Nightingale Dunbar, she has a wealth of breeding behind her, with her granddam Carrigroe Dakota the highest-figured cow on replacement over the last number of years.
The successful buyer after a flurry of bids was pedigree breeder Kenneth Preston, who runs the Dunbreen herd in Omagh, Co Tyrone.
Preston was also successful in acquiring the male champion, Laheens David R419, from Cathal Duignan at €4,100. Sired by Bunlahy John G and out of a homebred Luddenmore Fionn daughter, this was a twin to a bull with the other half also selling for €3,700.
The Duignan family also secured the reserve male championship with Laheens Miko. Out of an Aynho Rossiter Eric dam, Miko was again sired by Bunlahy John G and met his reserve at €3,100.
Champion heifer Clooncolligan Missie who sold for €5,100
Reserve female champion
Reserve female championship honours went to Kevin Diffley, Bornacoola, Co Leitrim, for his 20-month-old Clooncolligan Minnie. This heifer won the senior female championship at this year’s All-Ireland. Sired by stock bull Drumsna Harry she sold for €5,100 to John O’Brien, Ballymaclody, Co Cork for his Kilcraheen herd.
Top bull
Top price for a bull went to Hugh Fox, Elphin, who sold Greeve Powerhouse R235 for €5,300. Sired by Early Sunset Hightime and out of a Coneyisland Legend dam, he had early in the day placed second in his class.
Top priced bull Greeve Powerhouse R235 sold for €5,300
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