The dispersal of the noted Saxelby herd of Pedigree Holsteins took place at Beeston Castle Auction on
Tuesday 6th March, the property of the family partnership of S & R & J Stafford who are long established
in the world of black and whites, and renowned for superior type, production and very sound co families.
The catalogue was undoubtedly one of the best to be produced for a pedigree herd dispersal this year
and the all round features of high yield and classification, good sires and cows families and tremendous
production certainly brought the crowds in – the car park was jammed and the ring was heaving.
Potential buyers had travelled from Scotland to Devon, Ireland, throughout Wales and from the Midlands
and beyond with over 60 different buyers recorded and some 23 bids of 2000 gns of more.
Naturally enough it was the best animals from the best cow families that attracted the top bids. 3000
gns was achieved on two occasions, firstly for Saxelby Smurf Rosabel – a sensational daughter of
Chartroise Smurf who had calved in September, carrying a pregnancy to Impression and is the 13th
generation of cows scored in the top two grades. She was purchased by JG & CA Bayley, Warwickshire.
Secondly at 3000 gns was a tremendous third calf cow, Saxelby Brady Amber (Ex91-4yr & SP), a daughter
of Atwood Brady, sold fresh in December and giving 40 kg daily, she was purchased by Robert Butterfield
for their noted Ingleview Herd at Linghaw Farm, Lancaster.
Mother and daughter combination from the Sallie family followed next in the price list. Saxelby Dude
Sallie was a 91 point 4 year old, who was fresh with her third calf. Backed by 12 generations of cows
scored VG or EX and was giving a daily yield of over 50 kg, selling for 2800 gns and travelling to Lee Bro’s,
Co Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. Her daughter, a milking heifer, Saxelby Extreme Sallie (VG85-2yr) who
showed all the great attributes of her mother, selling for the same price of 2800 gns, again to Ingleview
Holsteins. 2800 gns was also paid for Saxelby Smurf Sallie (Ex90-4yr & SP), she calved in October and was
still giving 40 kg and had been recently PD+ to Expander. She was purchased by Lee Bro’s, Northern
Ireland. The Patricia family, one which certainly helped put Saxelby on the map, saw 55 members pass
through the ring, topping at 2700 gns for a (VG85-2yr), Saxelby Butler Patricia. This fresh second calved
cow was a daughter of Brady giving 42 kg daily and was purchased by Midlands buyer B K Adkin & Son,
Leicestershire.
Calves were a great trade from start to finish, topping at 1650 gns for Saxelby Upright Sallie, a 10 month
old daughter of Morningview Upright out of a (VG85) Ralma Confirm, going to D N James & Co,
Ceredigion. Doorman calves were keenly sought, topping at 1350 gns for Saxelby Doorman Amber, this
three month old heifer, was out of the recently mentioned Brady Amber, and was purchased by A C
Birkle, Dunge Hill Farm, Loughborough. Another member of the Sallie family then sold for 1300 gns,
Euclid Sallie had a PLI score of £380, sold at 5 months old and travelling to Northern Ireland to A
Mawhinney. A further 6 heifer calves were sold over 900 gns.
In-calf and served heifers, sold very well with plenty of competitive bidding. Topping at 2250 gns for
Saxelby Contrast Patrica by Larcrest Contrast with 6 generations of VG/EX dams behind her, sold in-calf
to Unix and being purchased by P J Waring, Beverley. 1800 gns was paid by Andrew McCauley, Northern
Ireland for a daughter of Justice from the Rose family, calving in June to Unix. Another June calving
Patricia by Constable sold for 1750 gns, again going to Ireland for Ian & Nigel Martin, Co Monaghan.
Maiden heifers ended the sale, with trade just as firm as the heifer calves before them. Topping at 1180
gns for a 12 month old daughter of Fever, being purchased by Robert Butterfield, with a further 10
maidens selling for more than 900 gns.
