A top price of €16,200 was given at the Breeder's Dream Sale in Kanturk, Co. Cork following the 2026 Irish Holstein Friesian Association (IHFA) annual open day.

The sale was comprised of more than 40 elite animals from the Cedarmore Holstein herd, which is operated by Bryan and John O’Connor, hosts of the 2026 open day.

Denis Barrett, who took to the rostrum for the sale, called it a "superb line-up" that featured "40 of the world's most sought-after Holstein families".

Breeder's Dream Sale

The bidding started off hot and heavy, with buyers keen to get an opportunity to buy into elite genetics.

The top price of the day was given for lot 5, as Cedarmore Mogul Savoire Fare went under the hammer for an astonishing €16,200.

She came from Cedarmore SK Savoire Fare VG89 on September 15 2024, after being sired by SSI DCY Mogul.

She is due to calve down in late October 2026 after being served to sexed semen from Haveitall Blakely Hinge-ET.

The calf is due to join a family of Excellence with production to match potential 13th and 14th generation straight Excellent cows.

The next best price at the sale went to a calf just over three months old.

Cedarmore Vray SM was born on March 27 2026, fast-forward to July 8, she is moving to a new home after selling for €14,200.

The young calf was sired by Cookiecutter Holysmokes and came out of Willsbro Lambda Galys-Vray 46 EX 90 (MAX).

Her grand dam and her third dam are also both EX max score cows, while her fourth dam is an EX 92 cow, fifth is an EX 90, sixth is an EX 90, seventh is a VG 88, and eight is an EX 90.

Barrett said the calf's dam is the new rising star at the Cedarmore herd, and considering her lineage, the calf's potential is extraordinary.

The second highest type heifer in Ireland made her way into the ring in lot 13. Cedarmore Ambrose Ghost, who was born in January 2025, fetched €7,000.

There was an array of 'First Choice Heifer Calf' lots, with lot 45 making €6,600 for a heifer due out of Ards Sidekick Ruth Imp VG86 in November, sired by Lamba/Hinge.

The only bull to make its way through the ring was Cedarmore Lamba ET. He was born on October 31 2025 after Bawnmore Pepper Almeric EX 95 was served to Farnear Delta-Lambda - he went for €4,600.

Some more top prices from the day included;

€9,800 for Cedarmore S-K James Rose, born in October 2024 from Bawnmore Pepper James Rose EX92 and sired by Walnutlawn Sidekick; the heifer is due to calve down to Delta Smash sexed in January 2027;
€9,400 for Cedarmore Ambrose Broke, born in November 2024 from Bawnmore E Pepper Broke EX93 and sired by Progenesis Ambrose ; the heifer is due to calve down to Delta Smash sexed in January 2027;
€9,400 for Cedarmore Parfect, born in September 2024 from Bawnmore Pepper Zandra EX92 and sired by Siemers Rengd Parfectu; the heifer is due to calve down to Beyond HI-Praise-ET sexed in December 2026;
€9,400 for Cedarmore SM Anika , born on January 31 2026 from Col Arabella Imp VG89 and sired by Cookiecutter Holysmokes;
€9,000 for Cedarmore Lambda SK Melody, an April 2025 born heifer out of Cedarmore Sidekick B Melody VG87 and sired by Farnear Delta-Lambda.

The O'Connors also sold Cedarmore Beye Missy on the day, with the profits donated to Jack and Jill Children's Foundation and Samaritans.