Hampshire Downs sell to 1,000gns at society sale

Hampshire Downs met a strong demand at the breed society’s premier sale at Stratford on the weekend (27 June), selling to a top of 1,000gns.

Sale leader at 1,000gns was a ram lamb by the homebred Moybrick Wonder and out of a Millfields bred ewe from John and Olive Mercer, Dromore, County Down.  He joined Geoff Todd’s Westmains flock, Wallyford, East Lothian.

Next ram lamb in the ring by Moybrick Wonder from the same breeders made 770gns when selling to Bethany Phillips, for her Greenwell flock, Blaydon Burn, Tyne and Wear.

The day’s highest call of 800gns was paid by Robert Dewey, St Andrews, for a ram lamb sired by homebred Thorbeck Hurricane from Jim Birkwood, North Thoresby, Grimsby. He was within the breed’s top 10%. Another entry from the same breeder and also within the top 10%, but this time by Kelsey I-Muscle, sold for 580gns to Josephine Wray, Carrnlough, Antrim.

Next ram lamb at 680gns was by Dunraven Jewel from Edward and Alison Halcrow, Kettering. He sold to MC Pink, Nether Poppleton, York.

The same breeders led the ewe lamb section at 810gns with another Jewel sired entry selling to G Allenby, Waddingworth, Horncastle.

Two ram lambs made 620gns. First to go was an Owlesbury Zulu sired entry from Jean Ritchie, Wambrook. Buyers were Tim and Judith Hunter, Louth. The second at this money was an entry by Court Jester from Henry Derryman and Sons, Yarcombe, Honiton. This one was secured by Judith Galbraith, Endmoor, Kendal.

Heading the shearling ram section at 630gns was an entry by the homebred Ballycreelly Devilsadvocate from Kevin McCarthy, Comber, County Down. He was snapped up by breed newcomer, Jodie Hooks, Bullamoor, Northallerton, together with four more entries.

Mr McCarthy also led the shearling ewe section at 800gns and received 720gns for a ewe lamb. Both entries were by Ballycreelly Why Not and went home together with Lancashire breeder R Melling, Scarisbrick.

A Ballycreelly shearling ewe made 800gns

A Ballycreelly shearling ewe made 800gns

Averages: Three shearling rams, £553; 24 ram lambs, £544.25; seven shearling ewes, £441; 12 ewe lamb, £458.50.

(Bletsoes).