Charolais bulls challenge Angus as annual Ascot bull sale at Warwick grosses more than $2.5 million
Summary
The annual Ascot bull sale delivered a standout result, grossing more than $2.5 million as Charolais prices pushed hard against the Angus offering at the on-property event held at North Toolburra, Warwick, on September 18. A record crowd filled the grandstands to bid on 202 lots, comprising 89 Angus bulls, 53 Charolais bulls, 39 Angus heifers, 19 Charolais heifers and a pen of six Angus heifers. The Angus bulls returned a 91.01 per cent clearance, averaging $13,666.67 for a gross of $1,107,000, while the Charolais bulls cleared 98.11 per cent to average a stronger $18,596.15 and gross $967,000. Angus heifers averaged $6381.58 with a top of $15,500, and all Charolais heifers sold to average $7125 and top at $11,500. The overall top-priced lot was an Angus bull sold to a Victorian stud for $85,000; at 26-and-a-half months he weighed 980 kilograms and scanned an eye muscle area of 144 square centimetres with 7.1 per cent intramuscular fat. The top Charolais bull made $70,000, well up on the equal top of $42,000 in 2025. More than 230 bid cards were registered, with buyers travelling from five states, and the largest volume buyer secured 13 head at an average of $14,769.23. Two Charolais semen straw packages also sold for $700 and $750 per straw. The result trailed the 2025 gross of $2,637,500, with organisers attributing softer Angus demand to dry seasonal conditions.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
|
Total sale gross |
More than $2.5 million |
| Angus bull clearance | 91.01% (81 of 89), avg $13,666.67 |
|
Charolais bull clearance |
98.11% (52 of 53), avg $18,596.15 |
|
Top-priced bull (Angus) |
$85,000 |
| Top-priced Charolais bull | $70,000 |
|
Lots offered |
202 |
|
Charolais heifer clearance |
100% (19 of 19), avg $7125 |
|
2025 comparative gross |
$2,637,500 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much did the Ascot bull sale gross in 2026?
The annual sale grossed more than $2.5 million across 202 lots. This was below the 2025 total of $2,637,500.
What was the top price at the sale?
The overall top-priced lot was an Angus bull that sold to a Victorian stud for $85,000. He weighed 980 kilograms at 26-and-a-half months.
How did the Charolais bulls perform?
The 53 Charolais bulls achieved a 98.11 per cent clearance and averaged $18,596.15, grossing $967,000. Their average outpaced the Angus bulls' average of $13,666.67.
What clearance rate did the Angus bulls achieve?
81 of the 89 Angus bulls sold, a clearance rate of 91.01 per cent. They grossed $1,107,000.
What did the top Charolais bull sell for?
The top Charolais bull sold for $70,000 to a syndicate. This compared with an equal top of $42,000 at the 2025 sale.
How many buyers attended?
More than 230 bid cards were registered, with buyers from five states: Queensland, NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. The largest volume buyer took 13 head at an average of $14,769.23.
How did the heifers sell?
Angus heifers averaged $6381.58 with a top of $15,500, while all 19 Charolais heifers sold to average $7125 and top at $11,500. A pen of six Angus heifers made $3750 per head.
Why was Angus demand described as softer?
Organisers linked the more subdued Angus demand to dry seasonal conditions. Charolais bulls, by contrast, sold particularly strongly.
