Charolais smashed pedigree cattle records at an overflowing ringside in Welshpool at the breed society’s autumn fixture.

Three new centre records were established: a top price of 12,000gns, 70 bulls sold and an average of £3,744.

David Benson of the Charolais society said: “An outstanding show of bulls met an outstanding trade fuelled by the resurgence in demand for Charolais cattle, a reflection of Charolais-sired store cattle which have been attracting premium prices throughout the UK at the autumn suckled calf and store sales.”

Sale leader at 12,000gns was Moelfre Fabulous, a 21-month-old by the 8,500gns Newhouse Chicago and out of a homebred dam from Kevin Thomas, Capel Iwan, Newcastle Emlyn.

He sold to Mark Swistun, Llanmorlais, Gower, to head up his new pedigree herd after using Charolais over his Welsh Black suckler herd and being impressed by the high performance calves.

He said: “I decided I wanted a slice of the action myself, establish a herd and buy the best I could afford. Fabulous caught my eye – he has great length and topline.” Fabulous is no stranger to the ring, having secured the reserve breed title at the 2011 Royal Welsh Show, however at Welshpool he went one better and was awarded the supreme championship by judge, Alasdair Houston.

“Fabulous was a well-balanced, well finished and powerful bull with breed character; he stood out in his class as well as the final line up and had all the attributes to join a pedigree herd.”

For his breeder, Kevin Thomas, Fabulous broke the previous 9,000gns centre record he had established himself just six months ago.

He said: “We are thrilled to contribute to another new record and overall, the trade was beyond our expectations.”

Mr Thomas went on to offer two more leading entries, both by the 8,000gns Inverlochy Verne.

First to go at 5,800gns was Moelfre Feisty, a 20-month-old out of a homebred dam going back to Mowbraypark Paramount.

The buyer was Greystoke Castle Farms, Penrith.

Moelfre Fanfare, a 15-month-old, made 4,000gns to E. Lewis, Lower Chapel, Brecon.

The day’s second highest bid of 7,800gns was made by W. R. L. Price, Llaithddu, Llandrindod Wells for Wesley Folio, a 17-month-old by Balthayock Aesop and out of a homebred cow by the 20,000gns Thrunton Trojan.

Bred and exhibited by Wesley Estates, Markfield, Leicester, Folio was the final entry to be sold from the 150-head herd which was dispersed last month.

Earlier in the day, his stablemate and same way bred Wesley Fugitive made 4,200gns to Gipsy Hall Farm, Wilmcote, Stratford upon Avon.

Next at 7,500gns was Seawell Festival, a 17-month-old by the 30,000gns Thrunton Voltage and out of a homebred dam going back to Maerdy lines.

Bred and exhibited by Peter and Sheilagh Donger, Foxley, Towcester, he went home with J. L. James, Clydach, Swansea. At 5,400gns, the same breeders offered Seawell Ferguson, an 18-month-old Seamore Archie son and out of a Maerdy sired homebred dam. The buyers were E. I. Lewis and Sons, Forge, Machynlleth.

Belan Format, an 18-month-old by Moelfre Champion and out of a Derryharney Outstanding sired homebred cow from J. S. Abel, Cwmbelan, Llanidloes, made 7,200gns to near neighbour, M. R. Bound, Tylwch, Llanidloes.

A bid of 6,800gns secured the reserve champion, Trefonnen Foynavon, for J. and P. Owens, Shobden, Leominster. Bred and exhibited by Mr and Mrs Roy Hughes, he is a 15-month-old by the 55,000gns Thrunton Voldemort and out of a Doonally New sired homebred dam from their 11 strong cow herd.

Two entries shared a 6,000gns bid. First to go was 19 month-old Carrigbeg Frankie from R. J. Butler, Rudford, Gloucester to T. N. Lightfoot, Callington, Cornwall. Sired by the 25,000gns Goldies Unbeatable, he was out of a homebred cow going back to Burradon Talisman.

The second 6,000gns price tag was paid by W. P. Bowen and Son, Llanbister, Llandrindod Wells for Pedr Fonzy, a 16 month-old by Blelack Tycoon and out of a Derryharney Outstanding sired homebred cow from Peter Howells, Llanwenog, Llanybydder.

Sale averages: 70 bulls £3,774; Four heifers £1,955.63; Two cows and calves £1,680.

Auctioneers Welshpool Livestock Sales.