The 103rd Annual March Kilkenny bull sale took place in Kilkenny Co-Op Livestock mart, Cillin Hill on Wednesday 18th March 2020. With the ongoing Coronavirus concerns the attendance was slack with only those with an expressed interest in purchasing in attendance.
Topping the Limousin bulls on offer was an Ewdenvale Ivor son BALLYQUIRKE NICKY from Oliver Byrne, Gowran. Nicky has a five star replacement index of €114 and a five star Terminal index of €165, these ratings coupled with a predicted calving difficulty of just 1.3% made 16 month old Nicky the choice of a Clonmel based farmer for €3,350.
Melvin and George Masterson accepted a final bid of €2,900 for 17 month old BOROSIDE NIGHTHAWK ET. This bull has Ronick Hawk, Vivaldi and Wilodge Vantastic in his pedigree. Nighthawk boast five star ratings in Replacement index, Terminal index, Carcass weight, Carcass conformation, Daughter milk and Daughter calving interval. Nighthawk was acquired by a Carlow based purchaser.
The multi-starred Ampertaine Gigolo son TEMPLEQUAIN NEYMAR realised €2,300 for his breed Thomas O’Shea, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. Neymar’s dam Templequain Gabrielle has Fieldson Alfy and Imperial in her sire stack.
BALLYQUIRKE NICK, a son of Elderberry Galahad and the Vison daughter Ballyquirke Isabelle sold for €2,200. Nick was breed by Oliver Byrne. At the same price was the Tomschoice Imperial son BROOKFIELD NEMO from Alan Borton, Newbridge, Co. Kildare.
Joe Maher, Ballyfoyle, Co. Kilkenny accepted a final bid of €2,100 for PARKHILL NEWSFLASH. Born in September 2018 Newsflash has Ampertaine Commander, Louxour and Pacha 08 in his lineage.
Two bulls sold for €1,950 – first at this price was MINEARE NODDY 2, a Lodge Hamlet son bred by Anthony Brennan, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny. The second bull to sell for €1,950 was from the same yard – this time a Cavelands Jolly son MINEARE NORMAN 2.
Best wishes to all purchasers at Kilkenny mart, many thanks to George and all the staff at Kilkenny mart.