A CLASSY black and white home-bred bull by the Belgian sire, Boherard Cantona, netted the British Blue championship at Skipton Mart for the Walker family from Dunsop Bridge.

Eighteen month-old Brennand Invincibull took supreme honours at ‘Blue Wednesday,’ the mart’s annual breed showpiece and traditional opener to its 2015 pedigree beef season.

Jeff Walker was impressed by Cantona when seeing the Empire D’Ochain son on a visit to Belgium four years ago and decided to give it a try as an AI embryo sire.

The victor made top price in show when selling for 3,900gns (£4,095) to Richard Sandham, Carlton, Yeadon.

Cantona was also responsible for the Walker's female champion, the November 2013-born Dafydd D’Ochain daughter, Brennand Iris. She sold to MT Sweetmore, Buxton, for 2,450gns (£2,572).

The bull section achieved total clearance, with the reserve championship falling to the High Moss pedigree herd of Jack and Rebecca Wallbank, Keasden, with their home-bred two year-old bull, High Moss Ian. He joined John and Gill Huck, of Hubberholme, for 3,300gns (£3,465).

The Wallbanks also sold 18 month-old High Moss Ironman for 2,500gns (£2,625) to DP Moore, Sowerby Bridge.

James and Deborah Ogden, Austwick, made 3,200gns with their two year-old bull, Owlden Ispy, to TH Kilby & Son, Thorp Arch, Wetherby

The Brookfield herd of Stephen and Gillian Potter, Topcliffe, achieved 3,000gns (£3,150) with their September 2013-born Dartagnan Du Castillon son, Brookfield Invictous, out of Brookfield Fenella, which joined Stuart Barrett, Summerbridge.

The overall bull average was £3,255 per head.

Skipton’s pedigree beef season continues on Tuesday and Wednesday (12 & 13) with record entries in the Limousin two-day highlight, the show-only Northern Limousin Extravaganza on day one, followed by the Craven Limousin Day show and sale.