Thee-in-one-package produces bidding tussle at Queen of the Ring sale

A rare opportunity to secure a three-in-one female package from a prominent Droughtmaster stud attracted a bidding tussle at the first Queen of the Ring auction at CQLX Gracemere on Monday night, September 15.

Lamont stud principals Mac and Gayle Shann, Clermont, joked that it felt like the never-ending Canberra Raiders and Brisbane Broncos game the night before as they watched their pregnant rising three-year-old female, Lamont Xena, and her heifer calf sell for the sale high of $46,000.

It was the Torrisi family of Vitwood Droughtmasters, Susan River, who eventually made the winning purchase, after bidding opened on the female at $10,000 before any auctioneer spiels could be announced. Increments got smaller and lingered as the price tag reached the pointy end.

Lamont Xena, a daughter of Waringle Bonus and Lamont 784, sold alongside her first calf, 10-month-old Lamont Yana, who was by the top price bull of the February All Breeds Sale in 2023, the $42,500 Bryvonlea Wallace.

Xena was back in calf, having been depastured with Yaralla Wallace, Lamont Woodstock, Lamont Waldorf and Clonlara Jester.

The inaugural sale, which was a sequel to the King of the Ring concept of 2024, saw all 10 females sell to an average of $13,050 alongside the Drinks with Droughties event on the eve of the Droughtmaster National Bull Sale.

In addition to the $46,000 price tag, the top price Queen of the Ring vendors also secured $5000.

Speaking after the sale, Gayle Shann said they hadn't sold many females from their herd before, but wanted to support the Queen of the Ring concept.

"We were more than happy to put up a heifer of her calibre, and we're very proud to put her up in front of everybody and glad that she sold well," she said.

Mr Shann said they might look to offer a cow and calf every year at the Queen of the Ring sale, to showcase the fertility and quality of the Droughtmaster female.

"She's what we're trying to breed; that beautiful-skinned animal, suitable for central and northern Queensland especially," he said.

"She's got a beautiful calf, out of one of the bulls we've paid top money for here at the February All Breeds sale from the Heck family, and she's back in calf, not too far off having another one, so she's ticked all the fertility boxes.

"She's just a beautiful female, the way she moves and walks out to handle big paddocks, and show what Droughtmasters can do."

GDL agent Simon Kinbacher was bidding for the Torrisi family, who were on the phone.

He said they intend to get Xena back to Vitwood, where she will calve out.

"She gained their interest when the photos were first released, and on further inspection over the last couple of days, they thought it was an excellent opportunity to secure a three-in-one package from a leading stud," he said.

The second top price female, which delivered the vendor $3000 in prize money, was a shared title.

First at $15,000 was Seymour Pearl, a 24-month-old horned female from the Orphant family, Paterson, who sold to Bauple Droughtmasters, Gundiah.

The next lot straight after, the 12-month-old K Team Hannie, from Kerri McKenzie and Kelli Smith, K Team, Biloela, was knocked down to Julie and Joe Haber, Blackstone Ranch, Mackay.

Third top price female delivered a $2000 prize pool for the vendor, which was Major Georgie, offered by Bec and Matt Brooks, Wivenhoe Pocket, and sold online to Anna Stanton.

• Agents: Elders, GDL, Nutrien with Stocklive