Top price of €5,350 at Kerry Holstein Friesian Breeders Club sale

By Cathal O'Shea

March 27, 2026 6:10 AM

Share this article

Champion Heifer Ocean Rubles Christina who sold for €5,350. (l-r): Martin Griffin (Gortatlea Mart); Mautie Brosnan (Gortatlea Mart); Jennifer Harty;, Eric O Brien (Lee Strand); Kieran Harty; Johnny O Hanlon (KHFBC); Michael Quirke (Judge); and Geraldine Harty (KHFBC).
Source: KHFBC — Champion Heifer Ocean Rubles Christina who sold for €5,350. (l-r): Martin Griffin (Gortatlea Mart); Mautie Brosnan (Gortatlea Mart); Jennifer Harty;, Eric O Brien (Lee Strand); Kieran Harty; Johnny O Hanlon (KHFBC); Michael Quirke (Judge); and Geraldine Harty (KHFBC). Source: KHFBC

The Kerry Holstein Friesian Breeders Club held its much-anticipated annual show and sale in Gortatlea Mart, Co. Kerry this week.

There was a strong competition, with just shy of 30 high quality pedigree heifers fighting it out for the top prize in the show.

The sale that followed the show highlighted the demand in the sector for high-quality pedigree Friesians as prices hit €5,350.

Show and sale

Michael Quirke, who was given the task of judging the show, crowned Ocean Rubles Christina the Champion heifer of the day.

Ocean Rubles Christina was bred by Kieran Harty of the Ocean Herd in the coastal town of Ballyheigue in Co. Kerry.

The Champion heifer, who was born in January 2024, had an Economic Breeding Index (EBI) of €14, with her milk traits broken into 431kg milk at 11.97kg fat and 10.44kg protein.

The buyers on the day seemed to have agreed with Quirke's choice in champion, as the heifer converted her win to top sale on the day too.

She was the second heifer to enter the ring, and went under the hammer for an astonishing €5,350.

Reserve Champion Heifer Ballylongane Laidy 58. (l-r): Mautie Brosnan (Gortatlea Mart); Eric O Brien (Lee Strand); Geraldine Harty (KHFBC); Martin Griffin (Gortatlea Mart); Johnny O Hanlon (KHFBC); Maurice Harty; and Michael Quirke (judge). Source: KHFBC

Ballylongane Laidy 58 claimed the title of Reserve Champion Heifer at the show.

The January-2024-born heifer was bred by Maurice Harty of the the Ballylongane Herd just outside Ballyheigue in Co. Kerry.

The heifer boasted a €153 EBI, with traits of 378kg milk at 12.97kg fat and 8.36kg protein.

And with a fertility sub-index of €68, the heifer went on to make €3,850 in the sale.

The honourable mention on the day was awarded to Aghaleemore Margaret Red 690.

She was bred by William Horgan of the Aghaleemore Herd in Killarney.

The heifer had an EBI of €53, and sold for €3,250 in the ring on the day.

Honourable mention Aghaleemore Margaret Red 690. (l-r): Johnny O Hanlon (KHFBC); William Horgan; Eric O Brien (Lee Strand); Michael Quirke (judge); Martin Griffin (Gortatlea Mart); and Geraldine Harty (KHFBC). Source: KHFBC

The sale finished up with an average selling price of €3,057, while maintaining a 100% clearance rate.

The Kerry Holstein Friesian Breeders Club congratulated all the breeders for a 'super display of heifers' and wished all buyers from the day the best of luck with their purchases.

The club also expressed its gratitude to Michael Quirke for judging, Gortatlea Mart for facilitating, and Lee Strand for sponsoring.