Balgray Dispersal Report

Report on the Dispersal Sale of the Renowned Balgray Herd

Wallets Mart, Saturday 25th October 2025

The much-anticipated dispersal of the renowned Balgray Herd took place at Wallets Mart, Castle Douglas on Saturday, 25th August 2025, attracting strong interest from breeders and enthusiasts alike.

The top price of 10,000gns was achieved by Solar Eclipse of Balgray, a stylish four-year-old cow who has been one of the standout females in the herd. She is out of Lunar Eclipse of Balgray, a highly regarded dam with numerous accolades to her name. Solar Eclipse of Balgray was sold with her impressive eight-month-old heifer calf at foot, Winter Eclipse of Balgray, sired by Kirkstead Expert, and she is back in calf again. This much-admired cow drew considerable attention in the sale ring and was ultimately purchased by Paula and Craig Jessop, Moorlands Farm, The Moorlands, Coleorton. She will join their growing herd, which already includes four Galloways, alongside their herds of Charolais cattle and flocks of Texel, Suffolk, and Blue Texel sheep.

Paula and Craig Jessop also secured the next top price with the purchase of Ufemia of Balgray, a striking 24-month-old heifer by Blackcraig Kodiac and out of Sarafina of Balgray. This eye-catching young female already boasts an impressive show record — she was Reserve Interbreed Champion at the Westmorland Show in 2024 at just 12 months old and went on to take the Interbreed Championship at Langholm Show in the sale year.

Adding further quality to their growing herd, the Jessops also purchased Phoebe of Balgray, a daughter of Troloss Impeccable and out of the renowned Penninghame Queen. This outstanding six-year-old cow has enjoyed major success in the show ring, being crowned Interbreed Champion at the Great Yorkshire Show in 2021 and again taking the Interbreed title at Dumfries Show in 2022. All three animals are destined for next year’s show circuit.

The next top price of 6,000gns was achieved by Political of Balgray, a stylish six-year-old cow sired by the renowned Troloss Impeccable, who was purchased for 9,200gns in a joint deal with the McClymonts of Kirkstead. Her dam is Penninghame Union, a strong maternal line within the Balgray herd. Political of Balgray was sold with her smart heifer calf at foot, Westminster of Balgray, a daughter of Kirkstead Expert. This much-admired pair attracted keen bidding in the ring before being knocked down to Society Vice Chairperson Carolyn Logan and her husband Dexter, Greenhead, Alva, Stirling.

Achieving the next top price of 3,700gns was Taylor of Balgray, an April 2022-born daughter of Octavius of Balgray and out of Jill of Balgray, herself a daughter of Blackcraig Super. This well-balanced young cow was sold with her stylish heifer calf at foot, Willow of Balgray, sired by Kirkstead Expert. This pair was purchased by new Society member Donald Simpson, Rossiachill Home Farm, Perth. Mr Simpson made a significant investment on the day, securing 44 head in total to form the foundation of his newly established Rossie Herd.  On securing his purchases, Donald said “I am delighted to add this smart, well-matched group of cows to my herd in one fell swoop – a perfect start to this new venture” 

Also taking the opportunity to add to their newly established herd were Hoddam & Kinmount Estates, Ecclefechan, who made a strong impression at the sale by purchasing eight cows   Their purchases were led by a top of 3,000gns for Surrender of Balgray. Born in 2021, Surrender of Balgray is a daughter of Octavius of Balgray and was sold with her stylish Kirkstead Expert heifer calf at foot.

Returning to Lockerbie with J. Common & Son, Crossdykes, Lockerbie, was Tayanna of Balgray, a daughter of Ben Lomond Blackthorn. This attractive cow was sold with her well-made heifer calf at foot, Winona of Balgray, another by Kirkstead Expert, and realised 3,400gns. The Crossdykes team also added Ursinia of Balgray to their purchases at 2,600gns. This promising young female is by Octavius of Balgray and out of Pansy of Balgray, a daughter of Troloss Impeccable.

Also staying local was Uno of Balgray, a Ben Lomond Blackthorn daughter out of Playful of Balgray, who is a full sister to Nucamp of Balgray. Uno was purchased by Judith Cowie, Barholm Cottage, Castle Douglas, for 3,100gns.

Selling for 3,300gns was Olympia of Balgray (ET), sired by Troloss Impeccable and out of Penninghame Queen. This September 2018-born female is a full sister to Phoebe of Balgray, who made 4,000gns. Olympia sold with her heifer calf at foot to James Campbell, Kypehill, Strathaven.

The two stock bulls, Silas of Balgray and Upbeat of Balgray, sold for 2,200gns and 2,000gns respectively to SR & RJ Langdon, Luckworthy Farm, South Molton.

Averages

2 Bulls £2205.00

5 Cows in Calf  £2352.00

8 Heifers in Calf £2585.00

17 Cows & Bull Calves £2902.00

17 Cows & Heifer Calves £3810.00