LIMOUSIN bull Graiggoch Rambo blew world records out of the window when he sold for a phenomenal 180,000 gns at a special breed sale in Carlisle.
Now three years on, that same world-record ‘price beater’ bull, has become immortalised in an incredible piece of art that will grace the new roundabout at Brisco at the start of the new Carlisle Southern Link Road.
Sculptor, Ellie Barden, 35, spotted the magnificent animal as he grazed the fields at Whinfellpark, near Penrith, on her daily drive to her Grace Forge at Brougham Hall, near Penrith.
So when Ellie was commissioned to craft two new sculptures for Cumberland Council she choose the world price beater as her inspiration for one of them.
“All of the Limousin animals at Whinfellpark are fabulous creatures, but Graiggoch Rambo is magnificent, and he became my inspiration for my Limousin bull sculpture called Sol. I feel like it was fate,” Ellie told the Cumberland News.
This week, the bull’s owners’ AW Jenkinson Farms’ Whinfell Park, visited Ellie at Grace Forge to see the bull sculpture. They afterwards described Graiggoch Rambo as an ‘exceptional’ bull who smashed the world record for his breed when he was bought in 2022.
A spokesperson for AW Jenkinson said: “It’s a real privilege to see one of our bulls inspire such an incredible piece of art. Ellie and her team have captured the power and presence of the Limousin breed beautifully. We’re proud that Graiggoch Rambo and the Whinfell Park herd have played a small part in bringing this magnificent sculpture to life – it’s a wonderful celebration of the region’s farming heritage.”
Ellie and her team were commissioned to produce two new sculptures, the bull and two horses, a mare and foal.
Created from weathered steel and each weighing around four tonnes, the second horse sculpture will feature at Durdar Roundabout, near Carlisle Racecourse.
Ellie first began work on Sol four months ago and now completed it stands five metres high and in time the bull’s steel will weather to an orange tone, just like the Limousin coat.
“I am so proud to be able to be part of Cumbria’s rich agricultural heritage,” said Ellie.
The mare and foal are expected to be finished within the week. “The horses are no particular breed. I wanted to create something with a beautiful shape with movement through it,” said Ellie.
Ellie, who lives in the Lowther Valley, has been working as a Blacksmith and metal fabricator for over 8 years, honing her skills in some of the UK’s most prestigious metal studios. Her interest in metalwork began during an apprenticeship as a farrier where she discovered a natural affinity for forging and shaping metal. As well as her professional commissions at Grace Forge, Ellie also works for award-winning wildlife sculptor Andrew Kay in Cumbria.
Inspired by the natural world and by her Lake District surroundings, Ellie creates masterful metalwork in mild steel which has great presence and which celebrates organic beauty.
A spokesperson for the council said: “The first sculpture is the Limousin Bull, standing tall at Brisco Roundabout, symbolising strength, resilience, and the link between past and future.
“The second sculpture is two horses – one old, one young, welcoming you at Durdar Roundabout near Carlisle Racecourse, marking the gateway to the future St Cuthbert’s Garden Village.”
“The sculptures form part of the projects overall placemaking and will provide some new, distinct and recognisable landmarks.”
