Breed record broken for second time in 2026
At the British White Cattle Society Autumn Show & Sale held at Melton Mowbray Market on 12 September, a new breed auction record of 4,000gns was set with the purchase of the 2023-born cow Tollesbury Treasure from AV & AKM St Joseph & M Howland, Maldon, selling to Falshaw & Partners, Ripon. This first-calved cow is sired by Tollesbury Pirate EX91, and was sold with her February-born bull calf Tollesbury Thunderbolt at foot, sired by the consistently successful breeding bull Castleton Brenin EX95.
This result tops the previous record of 3,900gns set in February at the same venue by Falshaw & Partners as vendors themselves, and reinforces an encouraging trend in popularity for a rare native breed which has recently seen an uptick in new herds being established, and quality stock duly recognised with strong sale prices.
Other top prices on the day included 2,700gns paid for the 2026 National Show Junior Champion Albany Peach and 2,500gns for the pre-sale show champion Alcroft Bella, both exhibits forward from the Cook family, Cambridge, and selling to the newly-established North Ings herd of A Drury & C Richardson, York. Both maiden heifers are sired by Castleton Stanley EX90, and will rejoin two more from the Cook's 2025 heifer crop purchased by Drury & Richardson at the BWCS Spring Sale back in February.
Selling at 2,400gns, also to A Drury & C Richardson, was the maiden heifer Tollesbury Honeygold from AV & AKM St Joseph & M Howland. Another animal sired by Castleton Brenin EX95, this February 2025-born heifer is out of Tollesbury Honeycomb EX92, a Castleton Kerfuffle daughter tracing back to the renowned Woodbastwick 'H' family.
Picking up two new additions for their Savin Hill herd were A & S Partington, Kendal, who secured maiden heifers Templar Patmos from K & RP Harding, Heather, at 2,000gns, and Woodbastwick Slainte from RH Farms, Norwich, at 1,800gns.
A run of unhaltered cows and calves from GM Bennett & Partners' herd dispersal saw a more commercial trade, topping at 1,400gns for some straightforward working females.
Cows and calves Top price 4,000gns; average 1,514gns (7 sold)
Maiden heifers Top price 2,700gns; average 2,280gns (5 sold)
Bulls 800gns (1 sold)
Pre-Sale show results
Breed Champion, Female Champion Alcroft Bella, Miss S Cook
Reserve Breed Champion, Reserve Breed Champion Templar Patmos, K & RP Harding
Heifer, born in 2025 1st Alcroft Bella, Miss S Cook; 2nd Templar Patmos, K & RP Harding; 3rd Albany Peach, Mr L Cook; 4th Woodbastwick Slainte, RH Farms
Thanks go to all at Melton Mowbray Market for their organisation of the event across both days, and to the vendors, buyers and underbidders for supporting another successful sale. If you are looking to source British White cattle for your herd, members' adverts are listed year-round on our website, or you can contact the Society with your specific requirements.
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