DONINGTON HERD DISPERSAL SALE

FRIDAY 17TH OCTOBER 2025 AT LOUTH LIVESTOCK MARKET
CATALOGUE

It is with great regret that we have to advise of the dispersal of the famous Donington Herd of Pedigree Lincoln Reds on behalf of Graham and Bryan Parkinson.
The Sale is at Louth Livestock Market with online bidding via Marteye. Viewing from rom 8:00am and the Sale will begin at Noon.
The Donington Herd was established 62 years ago in 1963 by the Parkinson Family with the purchase of 10 Lincoln Red Heifers from J R Needham & Sons. The families of these being: Jessie; Jane; Gloria; Diana; Molly; Grace; Gay; Ann and May. Donington Herd Cows have been successfully out-wintered and calved outside in April/May since 1969 with stock being used to set up numerous prestigious Herds across the Country.
The first Bull sold at Lincoln Red Cattle Society Sales was Donington Herdsman in the 1970’s, who sold to J Mountain of Temple Bruer for 100Gns and the last one sold was Donington Watchman (Dam Donington Molly P17 & Sire Foulness Leroy) who sold for 9,000Gns to the Cowford Herd in Perthshire at the 2019 Premier Pedigree Spring Show & Sale.
In the early 70’s the introduction of influential Sire Acthorpe Nelson (who was unbeaten in the summer show ring) was a great boost to the Herd. His influence led to many Championships for the Donington Herd, including 3 Royal Smithfields; 2 Perth Bull Sales; 2 LRCS Bull Sales and 3 Junior Championships. In 1978 Donington Zechariah (Dam Donington Jessie 19th & Sire Acthorpe Nelson) came first at the Palermo International Show & Sale in Argentina; selling for ten million six hundred thousand pesetas (10,600Gns).
It hasn’t been just all about the Donington Bulls! Over the years Donington Females have been in high demand and Donington bloodlines can be found in many Lincoln Red Herds up and down the Country and in many of the show winning Lincoln Reds! In 2018, at the Royal Welsh Show, Donington Jessie V12 (Dam Donington Jessie S3 & Sire Foulness Leroy) owned and shown by Ed Middleton, was Supreme Interbreed Beef Champion!
Recently the emphasis has been more about selling breeding stock and Donington animals have been used to set up several Herds across the UK both Pedigree and Commercial Herds. Graham has commented “One of my greatest pleasures has been to see Donington Cattle succeed in these Herds!”
Some Notable Bulls used in the last 20 years are:
Limestone Dunstan; Hemingby Viking; Bevan Gallant; Donington Jupiter; Market Stainton Kinsman; Beverley Kudos; Brandon Robber; Foulness Leroy; Highbarn Thunderbolt & Yarn Hill Wilbur.
Health Status: The Donington Herd is in the Biobest High Health Scheme: Accredited Free of BVD; Johnes Risk Level 1 and clear of Neospora. Both Bulls and all in-calf Females have been Bluetongue Vaccinated.
Whole Herd pre-movement TB tested.
This full Herd dispersal sale will include approximately:
• 45 in-calf cows and calves;
• 15 in-calf heifers;
• 15 bulling heifers;
• 2 Lincoln Red stock bulls; Donington Buccaneer and Holegate Bandit who was Senior and Supreme Champion Bull at the Lincoln Red Cattle Society’s Annual Premier Pedigree Spring Show and Sale in March 2024; acquired for 10,000 Gns.
This dispersal Sale will give potential purchasers the opportunity to buy cattle from a longstanding and highly respected Herd. The Sale Catalogue will be available soon. If you wish to receive a paper copy please contact Louth Livestock Market; email your details to: auctions@masonsandpartners.co.uk
For more information, please contact Auctioneer Edward Middleton on 07395 570303
Register for online bidding with Marteye here at least 48 hours before the sale to be registered and approved.
We look forward to seeing you at the Sale.