On the 28th December 2021 after her sixteenth Christmas in Clonagh we said a sad goodbye to one of our all time favourite cows, Milton Senhorita.

Senhorita, or “Spot” or “Spud” depending on who was talking about her was bred in Bandon by John and Sandra Stone, an ET daughter of their top breeding cow, Milton Hilary sired by Rosten Barney. Hilary had previously bred the National Livestock Show Female Champion and record priced heifer Milton Majesty selling for €21,000 and was subsequently flushed to Rosten Barney. Senhorita was the youngest of five full sisters born in 2005, all of whom were offered for sale at the Milton herd production sale in Tullamore Mart that autumn. Little Spot was just 28 days old on the day of the sale and was purchased for €4,000 along with her recipient dam. A call was made by the underbidder the following day offering double but thankfully it was a no brainer, she was now part of the Clonagh family and here she would stay forever.

We were fortune to purchase two more full sister over the years, “Milton Sapphire” in 2007 from the late Phelim Coyle and ” Milton Francesca” was purchased at the Premier Sale in Roscommon in 2015.

Senhorita was at the forefront of our show team for four years winning regional club title at all levels. She was the first Simmental heifer to win the coveted All Ireland Interbreed Suckler Type Heifer Championship in 2007 at Claremorris as well as her National Intermediate title and Reserve Overall Female of the Year that same year. She travelled to Belfast in 2009 for the RUAS Balmoral Show winning the Junior Cow, Reserve Female Champion and Pairs classes. She finished her show career that summer once again taking the Reserve Overall Female of the Year and the National Junior cow title.

Throughout her years in Clonagh she has bred us 37 calves both natural and ET. Her first natural calf born was by her “husband” Banwy T-Rex. As the story goes we lost another legend of a cow that morning, “Clonagh Edel” and amidst the sorrow that moment in the shed next door there was Milton Senhorita after calving herself and a little heifer calf trying to stand up, she was immediately named “Angel Eyes” as a tribute to Edel and from there the “Eyes collection” was born.

Some of her progeny highlights:

Clonagh Angel Eyes was sold at 9 months old for €6,600 to the Popes Herd, UK.
Clonagh Cracker Rex was reserve champion at the society sale in Tullamore May 2012 selling for a top price of €4,900.
Clonagh Dreamy Eyes Weanling Heifer Champion Roscommon selling for €5,000 autumn 2012
Clonagh Diamond Eyes Reseve Female Champion Roscommon Spring 2013 selling for €5,000
Clonagh G Spot Weanling Heifer Champion Roscommon Autumn 2015 selling for €5,500
Clonagh Joker Rex National Weanling Bull Champion 2018.
Clonagh Darling Eyes National January Calf Champion at Strokestown Show 2012 and National Junior Heifer Champion Tullamore 2013 and Overall Simmental of the year 2017, 2018. Simmental Miss World 2018.
Clonagh Gucci Eyes National Junior Heifer Champion 2017.
Clonagh Gucci Eyes National Junior Heifer Champion 2017 and Senior Heifer Champion 2018.

Grandaughter Clonagh Honey Eyes sold the herd record sale of €12,100.
Grandaughter Clonagh Jazzy Eyes Female Champion Premier Sale and top price female sold €6,100.
Grandson Clonagh Kaboom Kid National Junior and Reserve Overall Male Champion 2019.
Grandaughter Clonagh Hazel Eyes National Weaning Champion 2017, National Intermediate Champion 2018, National Junior Cow Champion 2019.

We estimate her direct progeny over her sixteen years at Clonagh grossed in and around €110,000 we wouldn’t hazard a guess at what her daughters have grossed to date and will hopefully continue to produce the goods for the eyes collection for generations to come. Our only complaint about old Spud was that a bit like ourselves, herself and her husband produced too many bulls!

Her final calf born in Clonagh was on the eve of our Festive Females sales kicking off, a little ET heifer by Manor Park Hansome, Clonagh Nissy Kissy Eyes. Here she will stay and continue the family name.

Senhorita’s picture is in pride of place in our kitchen alongside her husband, T-Rex, as Jack often points out to people they are Darling Eyes’ mummy and daddy and now he can add that they are both in heaven. Two of the most influential purchases ever added to the herd who will live on for generations and will never be forgotten.