‘Can’t believe how good it was’: Oasis A bull leads historic 2025 Droughtmaster National Sale

25 Sep 2025

“You could feel the electricity, you just knew something special was going to happen” reflects Anthony Ball, Elders auctioneer. The 2025 Droughtmaster National Bull Sale is one for the record books, with the Geddes family of Oasis A Droughtmasters stud topping the sale at $280,000.

Oasis A Cracker Jack (Lot 318) was purchased by Sam and Jane Barton, Huntly Droughtmasters, return buyers and long-time friends of the Geddes. Huntly Droughtmasters secured the bull for the second highest price ever in the breed and just shy of the $320,000 Droughtmaster record.

The sale surpassed the previous Droughtmaster National Bull Sale record of $220,000 in 2022 – also held by the Geddes family with Oasis A Long John.

At 1,015kg, Cracker Jack shone with a 151cm square eye muscle area, 39cm scrotal circumference, and 5.1% intramuscular fat. The 23-month-old homozygous polled bull sired by $18,000 Hamadra Harley out of Oasis A Boom Town was a showstopper long before he hit the ring.

“He’s been a standout ever since he was a weaner,” Oasis A Droughtmasters stud principal Adam Geddes says. “We had a lot of people come look at him this year and as soon as they walked into the yards they found him very hard to fault.”

This year’s Oasis A sale team included several sons of the proven sire Hamadra Harley. From the first bull to the last, each displayed the strength, bone, length and muscle the stud strives for, a clear reflection of years of careful breeding and dedication.

At the heart of everything the Geddes family does is their love for the industry. They enjoy working with cattle, improving their breeding programs, and sharing the experience together.

“This result means a lot to my family, we’re always working towards doing better so this is huge for us,” Adam said.

“We can’t believe the attention it’s getting and the amazing feedback coming in from right across the industry, not just from Droughtmaster breeders, but from other breeds too.”

A bull built for a family’s future 

For Sam Barton, it was simple. He’s been searching for a bull like Cracker Jack for a long time.

The family bought a half brother to Cracker Jack, also sired by Hamadra Harley from Oasis A at the Droughtmaster National Bull Sale last year, and with a great crop of calves on the ground now, they were ready to go all in.

Cracker Jack was sold with a three-quarter share, full possession, and 25 straws of semen, and Sam’s phone has been running hot with interest in semen sales for the bull that’s grabbed everyone’s attention. For the Bartons, Cracker Jack’s value lies in the legacy, setting their stud and commercial herd on a stronger path for generations to come.

“It’s pretty rare that you see a bull that everybody seems to like because most of the time everyone picks them apart or tells you that you bought a bad one,” Sam laughs.

“But across the board everyone’s pretty aligned that he’s up there with the best bull ever bred in our breed.”

Droughtmasters make their mark 

Across the two-day sale, a total of 332 of 383 bulls were sold, representing an 87 per cent clearance and a $16,179 average. This result reflected a lift from 2024, where the average was $14,563 and the top price was $120,000.

Sale energy hit a new high when Lamont Xplorer, offered by Mac and Gayle Shann of Lamont Stud, sold for $80,000 to Lazy A Droughtmasters. So, when Cracker Jack entered the ring straight after, things were already looking good. While Elders Stud Stock agent Anthony Ball admits it’s a bit of a blur, he describes the record breaking sale as “phenomenal.”

“There was a real buzz in the air because that animal just had so many desirable traits that we’re all looking for,” Anthony says.

“Adam has an eye for cattle and a style he believes in. He’s stuck to it through the ups and downs, both in life and in the breed, and this result is a real testament to him.”

Anthony also brought the hammer down on the top priced female at the Vytelle Queen of the Ring sale. Lamont Xena, presented by Mac and Gayle Shann of Lamont Stud, sold for $46,000.

With both sales highlighting the breed’s strong future, Anthony commended Droughtmaster Australia for thinking outside the box and championing new ideas.

“It’s not always easy running a breed society but if the intent is to have people talking about the Droughtmaster breed, the Vytelle Queen of the Ring and the National Bull Sale this year have done it,” he says.

“There’s a lot of people talking about those two sales and the sales of those two animals – and I think that’s fantastic.”

Commercial strength shines through 

“It was one of those sales that you just walk away and just can’t believe how good it was,” Simon Gleeson, Droughtmaster Australia CEO, reflects.

“It’s a real credit to our breeders who invested heavily in genetics three years ago. We saw them spending up a lot more than they normally would and that’s now a reflection of where we’re at.”

Simon emphasised the real excitement for Droughtmaster Australia lies in the breed’s commercial strength. The strong demand for quality bulls proves they’re delivering commercial stock that feedlots and processors want. It’s a clear signal that the breed isn’t just on the right track, it’s charging ahead. And if this sale is anything to go by, the best is yet to come.