Thainstone Spectacular will be just that

Line-up will include host of prizewinners from this summer’s shows

Buyers from across the country are set to seek out prizewinning livestock, suitable for further exhibition, at next week’s Thainstone Spectacular.

The event, organised by Aberdeen & Northern Marts (ANM), takes place on Friday and has attracted a line-up of 45 entries, including many prizewinners from the summer show circuit.

ANM head of livestock John Angus said: “The Spectacular event is one of our highlights of the year and a great opportunity for buyers to source top-class livestock capable of competing at other national events.

“As always, we will have an outstanding line-up of summer show champions and a diverse range of prizewinning cattle.”

The pre-sale show will be judged by Dermot Small and a £4,000 cash prize fund and an array of trophies are available to be won.

The event starts with the show at 9.30am followed by the sale at 2pm.

Entries this year include a team of 10 from Perthshire breeders John and Craig Robertson, of Newton of Logierait, Pitlochry.

The father and son duo secured the top price of £6,000 at last year’s Spectacular when their 11-month-old Limousin cross bullock went under the hammer.

There will also be a team from Orkney breeder Balfour Baillie, including the Orkney County Show overall champion and cross-bred winner – a December 2017-born Limousin cross steer, sired by Craigatoke Jameson.

Also from Orkney, Keith Eunson will be exhibiting his two prizewinners from the best group of three at the Orkney County Show. His steer stood reserve to the champion and his heifer was first in its class.

Barry Paterson, of Cairndaie Croft, Sauchen, has entered a home-bred April-born Limousin cross bullock, by Lodge Amlet, named Archie’s Boy, which stood reserve at Banchory.

Other consigners this year include last year’s winners Mark and Debbie Munro of Invercharron Farm, Ardgay.

The couple have high hopes for a heifer that picked up first-prize rosettes at every show she attended over the summer, as well as a bullock which stood champion at Nairn.

ANM has confirmed it is once more offering a special buyer’s incentive whereby any beast bought at the Spectacular that goes on to win the overall live cattle championships at a number of future winter shows, including the Aberdeen Christmas Classic, will get £500.

To qualify, the winning entry must have been purchased at the Spectacular, exhibited by the buyer and sold at the event as a champion.

The overall champion at last year’s Spectacular, Kiss This, made £2,000.