A landmark event for Charolais breeders is set for later this month as VetEmbryos.ie partners with AJ’s Charolais and Mid Tipp Mart for the 'Keys to Success IV - Foundations of the Future' sale and open day.

The open day takes place on Saturday, August 23, at Ballinlough, Co. Roscommon, where visitors can view the herd’s strongest breeding females alongside select sale lots.

Bidding will run online via MartEye, in partnership with Mid Tipp Mart, opening Friday, August 22, and closing at 7:00pm on Monday, August 25.

The sale includes a mix of in-calf pedigree heifers, yearlings, and recipient lots, providing breeders with the opportunity to invest in proven cow families and forward-thinking genetics.

At the heart of this event is a calibre of bloodlines known for consistency, performance, and breeding longevity.

Charolais genetics continue to lead Ireland’s beef industry, thanks to their adaptability to both intensive finishing and grass-based systems – and the lots on offer present the potential to produce sale-topping progeny.

The AJ’s herd stands on the foundation of some of the most respected matriarchs in the breed:

Ashleigh Pearl: a proven,  influential dam behind many of Ireland’s highest-priced females;
Ballydownan Simone: a cornerstone of the renowned Ballydownan herd;
Sagesse Brillante: An imported French cow and proven dam of multiple show champions;
From the acclaimed Goldstar herd, with female lines descending from the matriarch Goldstar Falkland, great-granddam of Goldstar Ukraine.

Buyers can secure in-calf recipient heifers, implanted at VetEmbryos.ie, carrying embryos from leading cow families including Goldstar Falkland, Bostonia Tina, Goldstar Ukraine, Goldstar Sephora, and Sawicka Vicky, as well as embryos from Prime Tamara. Featured sires include CF52, Texan Gie, Pirate, Neptune, Nevers, and Reglisse.

In a rare move, every female born in 2024 will be offered for sale, including three Neptune flush mates and a standout young Major daughter.

One of the headline lots is Bostonia Tina ET, selling in-calf with a confirmed female calf due early spring 2026.

Sired by Major, out of Bostonia Lilypad and with Liscally Blossom as grandam, she offers depth of breeding and a track record of producing quality progeny.

Established by Dáire Markham, a 2004 UCD Veterinary Medicine graduate with over a decade of embryo transfer experience, VetEmbryos.ie is a veterinary-led, EU-licensed embryo transfer service recognised for professionalism, technical expertise, and consistently high client satisfaction.

Offering complete solutions from collection to implantation, the business is noted for excellent success rates and also facilitates international embryo trade through a well-established network of connections.

Alongside VetEmbryos.ie, Dáire manages the AJ’s herd, maintaining strong pedigree breeding credentials.

On the day, Dáire will present on topics including donor management, recipient management, international embryo movements, and other aspects of the veterinary-led operation.

Visitors can meet the team and livestock, tour the facilities, and see how VetEmbryos.ie supports breeders from start to finish.

Known for delivering results for pedigree breeders, Mid Tipp Mart brings auction expertise and MartEye’s online reach to ensure a smooth, competitive process from catalogue to final bid.

Pedigree breeders seeking proven, high-value bloodlines;
Commercial farmers aiming for top-quality terminal sires;
New breeders wanting to fast-track their herd’s genetics.

Open Day: Saturday, August 23 – Ballinlough, Co. Roscommon, F45 WY83, 9:00a.m-5:00p.m.

Timed auction: Friday, August 22 - Monday, August 25 via MartEye in partnership with Mid Tipp Mart.

More information and catalogue: Available on MartEye and via VetEmbryos.ie's Facebook and Instagram accounts.

This sale offers a unique opportunity to secure the genetics that define the AJ’s herd – with calves due in September 2025 and spring 2026, alongside select maiden heifers ready for breeding in 2026.