World records were smashed at Stirling Agricultural Centre when a Charolais bull sold for a staggering 100,000gns, during the-three-day autumn bull sales hosted by United Auctions.

The new Charolais breed record, which surpasses the previous 70,000gns record set this time last year, comes as the French breed celebrates the 50th Anniversary of its importation into the United Kingdom.

The record breaker was Vexour Garth, a March 2011 born entry consigned by Dutchman Jan Boomaars who runs a 125-cow herd at The Ridge, Woldingham, Kent. This first prize winner was sired by Dingle Hofmeister, and is bred from the Maerdy Tally daughter Vexour Della.

He is in the breed's top 1% with an eye muscle area of +7.3, a TSI+71 and SRI+74; and in the top 15% with a daughter calving ease score of +4.9. After spirited bidding he was secured via the telephone by the USA-based Livestock Capital Company. The bull will remain in the UK and his semen will be exported to America.

Former breed society President, Stuart Bothwell, and son David, from St Angelo, Ballinamallard, realised 7,000gns for the July 2011 born Killadeas Garrett. Sired by the 16,000gns Blackford Dynamite - Perth champion in 2009, he is bred from the Dunlon Ulick daughter Killadeas Carmel. Buyer was Mr Fawdon from Powburn, Alnwick, Northumberland.

The father and son team also claimed the reserve female championship with the July 2011 born Killadeas Godiva. This Blackford Dynamite daughter is bred from a dam by Doonally New. She failed to meet her reserve and was unsold.

The entry of 90 Charolais bulls sold to average �7,699 - up �1,420 on the same period last year.

Pedigree cattle enthusiast Harold Stubbs from Crummy, Lisnaskea, judged the Simmental entry at the Stirling Bull Sales; while Kenneth Veitch from Drumlone, Lisbellaw, judged the small entry of British Blue bulls.

Mr. Stubbs was honoured to judge the Simmental entry, especially as 12 months earlier he placed the Charolais classes at the Scottish event. Both men were presented with specially commissioned medals to mark the first official Stirling Bull Sales. Known as the Perth Bull Sales since it was founded in 1865, the world-famous multi-breed beef event moved to Stirling Agricultural Centre in 2009, and was re-branded by United Auctions in July this year.

Designed by Scottish artist and fashion designer Iona Crawford, the exclusive medals are moulded in antique gold and depict the head and shoulders of a champion bull, complete with rosette, against a backdrop of Stirling's iconic landscape.

Mr. Stubbs awarded the supreme championship to the intermediate section winner Kilbride Farm Comber, consigned by the Robson family from Doagh, Ballyclare, County Antrim. Later in the day he attracted the breed's top price of 20,000gns, selling to the Popes herd based in Lancashire.

Andrew Hanna from Rawe, Irvinestown, sold two bulls to average �3,150 each. His best at 4,000gns was the unplaced Stralongford Cracker TSI+58 and SRI+62. Born in May 2011, he is by the Corrick Kentucky Kid son, Omorga Murray, and is out of a Hillcrest Jermone daughter carrying the Cashelmore prefix. Buyer was Michael Reihill from Innisrooske, Lisnaskea.

Harold Stubbs, and grandson Alan Burleigh, sold the April 2011 born Derrycallaghan Crackerjack TSI+59 and SRI+55 for 3,500gns. He was sired by the 10,000gns Slimero Victory - reserve champion at Perth in February 2009, and is out of a home-bred dam.

Simmental bulls attracted a 73% clearance, with 81 lots selling to average �5,806 - an increase of �965 on the same period last year.

Kenneth Veitch awarded the British Blue championship to Chatham Francis, a Paulern Verdi son, which attracted a top price of 3,800gns for Jack and Anne Morrison from Armoy, County Antrim.

Aberdeen Angus females peaked at 24,000gns, while the bulls reached a ceiling of 10,000gns. Trade was challenging as breeders only managed to sell 50% of the bulls on offer. They averaged �4,012 for 38 lots - down compared to last year when 42 levelled at �4,650.

A quality line-up of Limousin bulls peaked at 14,000gns, and following a 69% clearance the auctioneers reported that 60 lots were traded for a new autumn breed record of average of �5,048.

Beef Shorthorn bulls sold to a top of 8,000gns, while heifers set a new breed record of 13,000gns. Eleven bulls averaged �4,047 - a drop of �78 on last year.