Rayleigh Poll Hereford stud caps a 69-year journey with a final bull sale topping $26,000 and total clearance
Summary
The final Rayleigh Poll Hereford bull sale, the stud's 17th and last, was held on-property at Kombali near Narrabri and drew strong generational support that delivered a total clearance of all 23 bulls. The draft averaged $13,179 and topped at $26,000, with the average lifting $3487 a head on the 2025 result. Established in 1957, the Rayleigh stud has built close to seven decades of loyal client relationships, and two lots on the day were secured by families that have sourced its genetics for roughly 70 years. Most bulls stayed in the north-west, though one travelled to a Toowoomba buyer in Queensland. Top price of $26,000 went to the homozygous polled Rayleigh Valedictorian in lot 7, purchased by a Coonamble couple. Valedictorian was the first son offered by Rayleigh Terrance T22, a sire that made $30,000 at the stud's complete female dispersal in September 2025. The youngest bull catalogued, he weighed 908 kilograms and was praised for structural soundness, impressive phenotype and classic dark Poll Hereford colouring. The top buyers, long-term clients since the 1970s who run a predominantly Poll Hereford program alongside Charolais and Angus for hybrid vigour, took three bulls home at an average of $21,333. Two other repeat-client families also secured three bulls each, averaging $10,667 and $11,667 respectively. Closing a 69-year breeding journey, the vendors said they were humbled by the support and proud that Rayleigh genetics would continue in herds across the country.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Bulls offered and sold | 23 (100% clearance) |
| Top price | $26,000 |
| Average price | $13,179 |
| Average increase on 2025 | $3487/head |
| Top bull weight | 908 kg |
| Stud established | 1957 |
| Sire Terrance T22 (2025 dispersal) | $30,000 |
| Top buyer average (3 bulls) | $21,333 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What made this Rayleigh Poll Hereford sale significant?
It was the stud's 17th and final bull sale, marking the vendors' exit from the seedstock cattle business. The event drew strong generational client support and a total clearance of all 23 bulls.
What were the top price and average?
The draft topped at $26,000 and averaged $13,179. That average was up $3487 a head on the 2025 sale.
Which bull topped the sale?
The homozygous polled Rayleigh Valedictorian took top price of $26,000 in lot 7. He was the youngest bull catalogued and weighed 908 kilograms.
What was Valedictorian's sire background?
He was the first son offered by Rayleigh Terrance T22. That sire had sold for $30,000 at the stud's complete female dispersal in September 2025.
How long has the Rayleigh stud operated?
The stud was established in 1957, giving close to seven decades of breeding. Some client families have sourced Rayleigh genetics for roughly 70 years.
How did the leading buyers perform?
The top buyers took three bulls home at an average of $21,333. Two other repeat-client families each secured three bulls, averaging $10,667 and $11,667 respectively.
Where did most of the bulls go?
The majority of the bulls stayed in the north-west. One bull travelled to a buyer at Toowoomba in Queensland.
