Darlington Farmers Auction Mart held the North East Limousin breeders club sale incorporating the complete dispersal of the Rachels herd plus a multi-breed cattle sale on Saturday 17th May 2025. Forward were 96 head.
Darlington Farmers Auction Mart were privileged to be given the instruction from Mark Woolhouse to disperse the Rachels herd of pedigree Limousin cattle. A fabulous collection of cattle put together by Mark and his parents Rachel and Derek over the past forty-nine years quite rightly attracted one of the biggest crowds ever seen in Darlington. Breeders from all four corners of the UK assembled in recognition of the quality and history involved on this one-off occasion; in doing so they assured a terrific trade from start to finish.
The top call and new centre record of 13,000 guineas went to the 27-month-old bull Rachels Umbro which was knocked down to RA & SL Wearmouth, Middletown Farm, Stockton-on-Tees. Umbro is testament to the home bred success story as he is sired by Rachels Perseus and out of Rachels Izzy boasting both Lissett and Wilodge lines through his grandparents.
Cow and calf trade topped at 8500 guineas for the stunning 2021 born Rachels Siete with her superb Barrons Sammie sired heifer calf at foot Rachels Angel. More proof in doing things the Woolhouse way as Siete too was from home bred lines with her sire Rachels Oggy and her dam Rachels Ocho.
Top of the cows from the herd was Rachels Prosecco, a 2019 born daughter of Lissett Madmax and Steves Jess she was sold due in July to Barrons Sammie. Heifers from the herd enjoyed perhaps the trade of the day and twice peaked at 7500 guineas, firstly for Rachels Venice a January 2024 born Liverpool Pirate daughter out of Rachels Santiago and just two lots later for the double muscled February 2024 born Rachels Veluptuous who is a Barrons Sammie daughter out of Rachels Samantha.
Note from DfAM
Darlington Auction Mart would like to take this opportunity to thank Mark for the opportunity to conduct this sale. The cattle and the vendor have both been an absolute pleasure to work with, Limousin with temperaments second to none and a gentleman at the helm. An understandably emotional day for Mark can be considered a great success, knowing his dedication and desire to do his cattle and his parents proud we are truly delighted as a company to have helped him achieve this.
Note from Mark Woolhouse, Rachels Herd
I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Darlington Mart and all their staff for their tireless work and professionalism throughout. All of the staff including auctioneers, clerical staff, drovers and the girls in Dot’s Café alike have made us most welcome. I am very pleased that I made the decision to use Darlington mart to disperse the herd.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported me both recently and in the past on my Limousin journey.
Finally I would like to thank everyone who came today and bid for my cattle, they have been an enormous part of my life for forty-nine years and I have no doubts that they will do those who purchased them well. I am humbled by the support of everyone today and felt it only appropriate to thank you all sincerely.
Rachels Herd Leading Prices (Guineas)
Bulls – 13,000 6500 3200(x2)
Cows & Calves – 8500 8000 7000 6400 4800
Cows – 5500 5000(x2) 4800 4500 4000 3800 3200
Heifers – 7500(x2) 7000 5500 5000 4800 4500 4000(x3) 2600
ENDS
Report written by Darlington Auction Mart.
