The Irish Hereford Breed Society hosted its Premier Autumn Bull sale on Saturday, October 12 at GVM Tullamore Mart, Co. Offaly.

The sale marked the first of two Irish Hereford Breed Society Autumn bull sales with the second sale taking place at GVM Kilmallock Mart, Co. Limerick on Friday, October 18.

The first premier showcased 29 pre-inspected pedigree bulls and Maddie Clarke from the UK presided over the judging of the four bull classes.

The selection of both horned and polled bulls on offer saw them sell to an overall average price of €3,770.

The Champion bull sold for €4,500 on the day. Corlismorepoll 1 Fantastic 237 owned by Sean, Gary and Evelyn McKiernan was a favorite of the judge, and similarly in the ring. The top-priced bull found a new home in Co. Meath.

The champion bull on the day had an impressive display of stars within the Hereford breed with his dam descending from the Sydney bloodline.

The success continued for the Corlismore herd when Corlismorepoll 1 Fanfare 238, was sold for €3,500. This bull has five stars in the terminal index and four in replacement within the Hereford breed.

The sale topper, Griananpoll 1 Advance was bred by Tom and Anslem Fitzgerald from Grianan Herefords in Co. Westmeath.

The 19-month-old bull was a key favourite in the ring and sold at €6,000 to Ciara Fitzpatrick from Moyad Herefords.

The homozygous poll gene was capturing the attention of many as this bull was selected as the reserve champion in the pre-sale show ring.

Advance has a trumpeting display of stars in both replacement and dairy beef indexes with five stars across the board.

The demand for horned bulls was strong on Saturday with Michael Molloy’s, Moyclare Workman, attained €5,700 in the sales ring.

This bull has five stars with both terminal and dairy beef indexes within the Hereford breed whilst maintaining four stars in both replacement and the beef sub index.

Lot 11 Beaghmore Hansel 3 bred by Leila McCabe was another horned bull snatched up for €4,500. Like many bulls in the sale, Hansel has five stars in both the terminal and beef sub index within the Hereford breed.

John Appelbe from Co. Cork sold both his bulls on the day, showing the continuing popularity with polled genes on the day.

Appel 1 Sam, has an exceptional display of stars, obtaining five stars in replacement, terminal and dairy beef within the Hereford breed. This heterozygous bull was purchased for €4,600.

Appelbe's success continued in the ring as Appel 1 Vin Diesel, was sold for €4,000. Sired by Fisher 1 Profile, this bull has a prominent display in his indexes as well as being a prize winner at the National Hereford Show in Tullamore earlier in the year.

The final class of the day was won by Drumcarbinpoll 1 Curve Bender, bred by Shane Mckiernan.

This July 2023-born bull has five stars for terminal and four stars for replacement and dairy beef within the Hereford breed. This bull sold for €3,500 in the ring.