A NOTED North-East Charolais-breeding family took the overall championship and top price of 25,000gns at the breed's official show and sale at Perth.

The Campbell family - Ian, John and their father, Colin, of Thrunton, Alnwick - achieved success with Thrunton Socrates, above.

"It's the ultimate for every Charolais breeder to win Perth, and we are delighted," said Mr Ian Campbell, who was in the same pole place nine years ago with Thrunton Ideal, which sold for 45,000gns.

Socrates, the event's firm favourite, is a 19-month-old from the bloodlines of former Perth champions. He is by the 25,000gns Mowbraypark Orlando, the title winner in 1999, and his dam goes back to the 20,000gns Moncur General, while his great grandsires were Brampton Embark (25,000gns) and Balmyle Champion (33,000gns).

Socrates is in the breed's top 1pc, with a Beef Value of CH34, and was junior breed champion at this year's Royal Show.

At Perth, he sold in a three way split to Neil Barclay, Banchory; Neil Massie and Sons, Aboyne and Ballathie Estates, Perthshire, who, between them, run 300 pedigree cows.

Overall, Charolais bulls met a strong demand from both the pedigree and commercial sector in Perth on Thursday of last week, selling to a top of 25,000gns and with 27 lots making 5,000gns or more.