2026 Ballymena Show and Sale

Ballymena Show and Sale – 4^th September 2026

Strong Trade at Ballymena for Joint Galloway Sale

The third annual joint show and sale of Belted, Black, and White Galloways was once again held at Ballymena Mart, with the event kindly hosted by J.A. McClelland & Sons Ltd.

While entries were smaller in number, the standard of cattle forward was excellent and was met with strong demand from buyers. It was particularly encouraging to see interest from both new and returning customers, with keen competition for the cattle on offer reflected in a substantial increase in sale averages compared with the previous year.

The marked rise in averages, together with the strength of the trade throughout the sale, provided a very positive indication of the continued demand for quality Galloway cattle in Northern Ireland and growing confidence in the breed.

Show Champion & Top Price

Taking the Overall Championship was the impressive young bull Loyalist L1 of Ballyvaddy, bred and exhibited by husband-and-wife team Tom and Kate Madden, Ballyvaddy, Glencloy, Ballymena, Co. Antrim. At just 11 months old, Loyalist L1 is by the Australian AI sire Cross EI Toro SX D13 and out of Gay 2nd of Telcoy, a daughter of the ET-bred Dakota of Upper Buckna. The stylish young bull certainly caught the eye of buyers, with strong interest around the sale ring. He was eventually secured by John and Ann Finlay of Blackcraig, Corsock, Castle Douglas, and will make the journey across the Irish Sea to his new home. Selling for an impressive 4,600gns, Loyalist L1 set a new centre record.

Reserve Champion

The Reserve Championship went to the stylish heifer Gruige Dympna, bred and exhibited by Dessy Henry of Gruige Farm, Cloughmills, Ballymena.

Born in 2023, Dympna is sired by Blaze of Kilnstown and out of Kirkstead Nancy E12, a daughter of Kirkstead Vindicator. She came to Ballymena with show-ring credentials, having stood second in her class at the 2026 Ballymoney Show. Dympna attracted plenty of interest around the sale ring before being secured by J. Torrens of Ballymoney for 3,200gns. She was sold in calf to Trolosse Hunor.

Female Top Price

It proved to be an excellent day for Dessy Henry of Gruige Farm, who also claimed the top female price of the day with Gruige Emer, selling for  4,200gns.

Born in 2024, this eye-catching heifer is sired by Troloss Nutter and out of Barlaes Brownie 250th. Emer attracted strong interest before being secured by Mr J. Torrens of Ballymoney, the same purchaser who had earlier bought Reserve Champion Gruige Dympna.

Dessy Henry’s strong run of trade continued when Gruige Eva, another daughter of Troloss Nutter, sold for 3,600gns, once again to J. Torrens of Ballymoney.

Further success followed with Gruige Faye and Gruige Fionnuala, both daughters of Trolosse Hunor, selling to returning buyer Mark Finlay of Ballyeaston for 3000gns and 2600gns respectively. 

Returning purchaser Mark Finlay of Ballyeaston continued to invest in quality Galloway genetics, adding the only other bull forward, Armoy Minnesota Viking, to his purchases at 3,800gns. The 18-month-old bull was bred and exhibited by Mr B. Huey of Armoy, Ballymoney, Co. Antrim. Sired by Oisen CP4 of Castlegore and out of Beth G of Castlegore, a daughter of Troloss Knight Rider, Minnesota Viking also brought with him an impressive show-ring record. He had been successfully exhibited at both Ballymoney and Ballymena Shows, securing first and second prizes respectively. His purchase at 3,800gns completed a notable day’s trading for Mark Finlay, who had earlier secured the Trolosse Hunor daughters Gruige Faye and Gruige Fionnuala.

 Averages

In calf heifers - £3849.90 (+£647.40)

Bulls- £4410 (+£1995)

Judge;-  Mr John Carson, Castle Douglas. 

Class results 

Class 1 Cow born on or before 31/08/23

No entries 

Class 2 Heifer born 01/09/23 to 31/08/24

1^st Gruige  Dympna  exhibited by Mr D Henry,  dob 02/09/23 sire Blaze of Kilnstown dam Kirkstead Nancy E12 sold  to J Torrens, 115 Vow Road, Ballymoney for 3200gns

 Class 3 Heifer born 01/09/23 to 31/08/24

 No entries

Class 4 bull or heifer born on or after 01/09/25

1^st Loyalist L1 of Ballyvaddy exhibited by T & K Madden dob 22/09/25 sire Cross El Toro SX D13 dam Gay 2^nd of Tecloy sold to J & A Finlay, Blackcraig, Corsock for 4600gns 

Class 5 Bull born on or before 31/08/25

1^st   Armoy Minnesota Viking exhibited by Mr B Huey, dob 03/03/25 sire Oisen CP4 of Castlegore dam Beth G3 of Castlegore sold to Mark Finlay, Ballyeaston for 3800gns

 Galloway Champion  -  Loyalist L1 of Ballyaddy - bred and exhibited by T & K Madden, Ballyvaddy 

Galloway Reserve Champion  - Gruige Dympna – bred and exhibited by Mr D Henry, Gruige.