A RECORD price was reached for the sale of a bull at the Tavistock Livestock Centre’s July Fair sale.

The market has held a show and sale under the auspices of the Galloway Cattle Society since 2009 and this month the records were smashed.

The other Galloway Society sales are held at Carlisle and Castle Douglas, so the Tavistock sale is of great importance to breeders throughout the South West of England with vendors travelling from as far afield as Sussex and Wales.

The show was judged by Mrs M Alford of Whithurch and S Smith from Alternun. After a difficult decision they placed the two year Hirmant Bryn Mawr from Mr Hamer from Powys, Wales, first in the best bull class and as overall champion. The bull later sold for 1,250 guineas to a local farmer.

The second prize bull went to A W Francis of Okehampton and third prize went to S Langdon of Molland.

The best heifer class was won by KC and JC Heard of Okehampton with W Winters of Sussex coming second.

The surprise of the day came when the bulls went through the sale ring. As one of the bulls was entered by the judge, it was unable to be entered in the show. However, the six-year-old Taw Marsh Firecracker sold for 2,300 guineas to a local farmer.

A spokesperson for the market said: ‘This exceeded all expectations and is a new record for the Galloway Sale in Tavistock. We look forward to next year where local breeders and farmers will attempt to set a new record again.’