FORTY years on from the day when an Aberdeen-Angus bull sold in Perth for 60,000 guineas, the breed enjoyed a red letter day yesterday.

A record average of (pounds) 3658 for 119 sold was set, an increase on the year of (pounds) 270.

However, of more significance was the fact that 24 more bulls than last year were sold through the ring.

The top price of 25,000gns was an all Borders affair when John and Marian Tilson and Jenny Campbell from Wedderlie, Gordon, Berwickshire, sold their reserve junior champion, the September 2001 Wedderlie Netmark, to John Elliot, who runs the Rawburn herd at Roxburgh Mains, Kelso.

Elliot said: ''There were three reasons why I wanted this bull. Firstly he has the looks, but he also has outstanding figures and he does not have the recessive red gene.''

Next, at 11,000gns, was reserve intermediate champion, the May 2001 Carhurlie Dynastic from Rae Grieve, Carhurlie, Lundin Links, Fife. The buyer was Bill Bruce, Logie, Ellon, Aberdeenshire.

At 10,000gns Nigel Hamill, Pyegreave, Cheshire, sold his May 2001 Tegsnose Carboy to Robert Galloway, Cardona, Doune.

Two bulls sold at 8000gns, with the first from Willie and William McLaren, Netherton, Auchterarder, going to JH Gillanders, South Midtown, Peterhead.

At the same bid, Rhone Moore, High Auchencloich, Renfrew, acquired a fine bull from Tangent, Malmesbury, Wiltshire.

At 7500gns, Neil Stoddart, president of the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers, secured a sire from Ian Richardson, Ardlebank, Blairgowrie, for his herd at Halflakin, Broxburn.

Next in line were two bulls at 6500gns with the first - the intermediate champion - from Lockerly Hall Farms, Hampshire, selling to Robert Galloway.

At the same bid, the reserve senior champion from Neil Massie, Blelack, Dinnet, Aberdeenshire, sold to Robin and Nancy Orr, Halbeath, Fife. However, the Massie family refused a bid of 9500gns for the supreme champion, stating that it would be used as a junior stock bull.

It was also a memorable day for beef short-horn breeders with a top bid of 11,000gns - the highest in the modern era. Selling this bull was John Scott, Fearn, Ross-shire. This bull, the second prize April 2001 Fearn Scotsman sold to Bill

Landers, Bargaly, Newton Stewart. The 35 shorthorn bulls averaged (pounds) 2928.