Recently in Texel Category

 

With the first "suck" lambs in the south west only weeks away from hitting the market and lambing already underway elsewhere in flocks hoping to scoop high spring lamb prices, those running more mainstream lambing flocks have been out and about assessing the in-lamb ewe trade.

 

It's clear from the first sales of commercial ewes that have been offered so far that there's going to be a strong demand from flockmasters keen to increase ewe numbers this year but it looks as though cash is still going to be spent with care. At Longtown in Cumbria a sale of full-mouth Suffolk ewes - some carrying triplets - found plenty of bidders but the best trade is yet to come for younger sheep carrying two lambs.

 

At Welshpool on Monday auctioneer Richard Evans had an easy job selling good quality full-mouth Texel-cross ewes carrying a range of lambs. Prices were up to £190 a head with full-mouth Suffolk ewes reaching £135.

 

"A good trade with a lot of interest considering some of these were full-mouth ewes. I have no doubt we are going to see a very good trade for younger sheep once we get into the bigger offerings of in-lambers."

 

 

 

A gimmer from Lanarkshire breeder Angus Kennedy's Mitchellhill flock topped a lively trade for Texel females at Lanark today selling for 4000gns after taking the day's championship title. The sale saw 12 sheep make over 1000gns.

 

By Scrogtonhead Ooor Willie - a Claybury Midlander son - and out of ewe by Clynnog Joe Tex, she had been flushed leaving seven embryos at Mitchellhill. Offered in-lamb to Mitchellhill Sonic - a son of the 10,000gns Glenside Ring a Ding, she was claimed by Aberdeenshire breeder Graham Morrison for his Deveronvale flock.

 

The two other Mitchellhill gimmers made 1800gns and 950gns.

 

A gimmer from the reduction of the Cauldcoats flock, owned by the late David Arkley, made 2200gns.

 

Averages: Texel gimmers £728; Cauldcoats reduction £550. (Lawrie and Symington).

 

 

A capacity crowd packed the ringside at today's show and sale of Texel and Beltex females at Chelford, Cheshire where bidding reached 2500gns for a Texel gimmer from the Sportsmans flock of Cheshire-based Boden and Davies and Beltex sold to a top of 1100gns for a ewe lamb from the Tewitt Hall flock of Messrs Staveley, Clapham, Lancashire.

 

The Sportsmans gimmer stood champion under Texel judge Frank Rushton of the Fresh Fields flock and was claimed by David Bradley-Farmer from Hampshire. She was by Clougher President and out of a ewe by Mellor Vale Krugerand and was in-lamb to 25,000gns Milnbank Special One.

 

Auctioneer Gwyn Williams described the trade as "strong and solid throughout". "This was the 26^th show and sale for the North West Texel Breeders Club and pulled in the biggest crowd we've ever had for this event. Demand was keen from start to finish with just 12 animals unsold from an entry of around 300."

 

Taking the reserve championship was a gimmer from the Tima flock of Selkirk breeders David, Isla and Lisa Gray.

 

 

By Springwell Kermit and out of a Baltier Glory dam, this gimmer is an ET sister to the 7000gns Tima Look @ Me. She was in-lamb to the Knock Reebok son Ettrick Sir Alan. She goes to Barnsley, Yorkshire with Steve Richardson at 1550gns.

 

Cumbria flock owner Peter Woof sold a gimmer by Fachell On Approval from his Stainton flock at 2000gns. 

 

 

Out of a Cambwell Mountain ewe and in-lamb to the Baltier Panther son Carran Southern Star, she was claimed by an undisclosed North Yorkshire buyer.

 

Another gimmer from the same pen by the Fachell sire and in-lamb to the Carran tup, made 1150gns to Steven Smith, Welshpool.

 

A Baltier Prestige sired gimmer from the Fachell flock of Idris Morris, Caernarfon made 1000gns to Steve Gibbons. She was out of a Pennan Miracle ewe and in-lamb to Milnbank Stig.

 

Leading the Texel ewes at 800gns was a Castlecairn Never Again daughter from the Oldford flock of R Pierce, Chester. She was in-lamb to Hen Gapel Ronaldo.

 

Topping the Beltex Sheep Society show and sale was a ewe lamb from the Tewitt Hall flock owned by the Lancashire-based Staveley partnership. The lamb (below), which stood reserve champion, is by Hallcrake Noah and out of a ewe by Mustang. She made 1100gns to Steven Gibbons.

 

 

 Collecting the championship and selling for 900gns (below) was the gimmer Southern Acres Patience - a Bishops Nijinski daughter from L and S Hewitt, Chester. She was in-lamb to Buckles Newt - a 3000gns sire bought at Carlisle in 2010.

 

 

Headlind Pink, a gimmer by Viagrow V/d Drie Musschen from Allan Jackson, Lanark made 1000gns.

 

Averages: Texel - 106 gimmer shearlings £514; 15 senior ewes £345. Beltex - 15 shearling gimmers £576; 22 senior ewes £441 and 12 ewe lambs £448. (Frank R Marshall)

 

Ends

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last week's Northern Lights sale of Texel females at Hilltown Mart, Northern Ireland, saw the top two prices claimed by the Tullagh flock of John and Richard Currie, Ballymena, Co Antrim.

 

Heading up the prices was a 2,400gns call for a Clougher Physical daughter, CJT1000053. This twin born gimmer is out of a dam by Castlecairn Celtic Star which is full sister to 4,000gns tup Tullagh Neptune and goes back to Tullagh Golden Boy.

 

She sold in-lamb to 9,000gns sire Fairywater Superstar, the top priced lamb at the 2011 Northern Ireland Premier Sale, and was bought by Paul O'Connor, for the Drumgooland flock, Seaforde, Co Down.

 

Second best of the sale and second best for the Tullagh flock was a 1,750gns bid for a full sister to the sale topper. This one, CJT1000052, sold in-lamb to 4,500gns sire Strathbogie Stud, a purchase from Lanark last year, and was bought by James Shaw.

 

Following that at 1,650gns was the best of the sale from Jim Wilson's Blackstown flock, a ewe lamb by 17,0000gns homebred sire Blackstown Rambo. This one, WWB1100160, is ET bred out of a dam by Millcomb Monarch. Buying her was A Branagan.

 

And then at 1,450gns was an in-lamb gimmer from the same home. This was a Halley Pathfinder daughter, WWB1000059, ET bred out of a dam by leading sire Mellor Vale Masterpiece. She sold in-lamb to Millcomb Powerhouse, sire of 17,000gns tup Blackstown Rambo. Her new home is with Martin Grant of the Moyford flock, Bryansford, Co Down.

 

Then making 1,150gns was one from Austin Shaw's Fairmount flock, SAF1000644, a twin born daughter of 16,000gns sire Cherryvale Nijinsky. She is out of a dam by Montalto Giggalo and sold in-lamb to Bushmills Sargeant. Taking this one back to the Springhill flock was John Foster, Castlederg, Co Tyrone.

 

And a 1,000gns call saw the Curries sell another of their Tullagh draft. This was CJT1000076, a twin by Gruig Outlaw out of a dam by Annan Jewel and in-lamb to 10,000gns sire Glenside Ring A Ding, a son of 2010 sire of the year Strathbogie Python. This one was snapped up by Henry Gamble for the Springwell flock, Co Down.

 

Saturday's Northern Stars sale of Texel females at Ballymena Mart, Northern Ireland, saw an entry from Roger Strawbridge's Tamnamoney flock shine the brightest among the 77 head sold, collecting an 11,000gns bid.

 

Mr Strawbridge's sale topper, from his Coleraine-based flock, was SRY1000054, an ET bred Mullan Playboy daughter out of a dam by Castlecairn Kennedy and going back to Knock Impulse. Sold in lamb to Procters Subaru, this one is a full sister to the 2011 Royal Ulster Show breed champion and was bought by Adrian Liggett, Fintona, for the Corbo flock.

 

Second best of the sale was a 4,000gns call from teenager Michael Smyth of the Foyleview flock when buying another of Mr Strawbridge's Tamnamoney consignment. This was SRY1000064 another by Mullan Playboy and this time out of Castlecairn Ion Rocket daughter from the best family in the flock.

 

She sold in lamb to 12,000gns sire Sportsman's Scania and saw Mr Smyth re-investing some of the 46,000gns he earned at Lanark in August when he sold Foyleview Superstar, a tup lamb bred from a Tamnamoney ewe.

 

Following that came a pair of 2,600gns bids, with the first made for the first in the ring, QDA1000008 from David Warwick's Braehead flock. This is an ET bred Mullan Photogenic daughter out of a dam by Tamnamoney Navvy. Sold in lamb to Tamnamoney Rob Roy she found a new home with Alastair Gault's Forkins flock.

 

Second to make this money was yet another Mullan Playboy daughter from the Tamnamoney flock. This one, SRY1000003, is out of a dam by Douganhill McFly and sold in lamb to Duncryne Ringmaster and was knocked down to Paul O'Connor for the Drumgooland flock, Seaforde.

 

Selling at 2,400gns was another from David Warwick's Braehead flock, QDA1000068. This Milestone O'Gara daughter is out of a dam by Tamnamoney Navvy. Selling in lamb to Humestone Starbuck and going back to Cornerstone Isaac she was sold to D A and N Simpson, Ballyrobert, for the Cornerstone flock.

 

And a brace then shared the next best price tag of 2,200gns. Taking the first of these two calls was Alastair Gault when he sold Baltier Nailer daughter, GAF1000012 from his Forkins flock. Out of a dam by Douganhill McFly she was sold in lamb to Procters Subaru and was bought by A Donnelly, Claremorris, Co Mayo, Eire.

 

The other to sell at 2,200gns also headed out of the province, selling to Gordon Gray and family, Selkirk, for the Ettrick flock. This was another Forkins entry, GAF1000009, another Mullan Playboy daughter out of a dam by Douganhill McFly which was also dam to 26,000gns tup Forkins Nijinsky and 16,000gns Cherryvale Nijinsky.

 

Averages; 77 gimmers £934.50 (J A McLelland and Sons).

 

 

At the Shropshire and Borders Texel Club's in-lamb sale at Welshpool today local breeder Robert Bennett topped the trade at 2000gns with a yearling from his Plasucha flock based at Meiford, Powys.

 

In 2011 the Plasucha Flock enjoyed a successful year winning the club's medium size flock competition. It was a yearling by the Springwell Jaguar son Penparc Nobleman that led the Welshpool fixture.

 

Out of a ewe by Claybury Iain, the yearling was in-lamb to the Glenside Ring a Ding son Kingledores Scaramouche. Buyer was S Smith, Penybryn, Welshpool.

 

Another yearling from the Plasucha flock realised 820gns to Shirley Jones, Oswestry.

 

By Heys Pinochio and out of a ewe by the Claybury tup, she is maternal sister to the 2500gns Raglan Morse. The yearling was in-lamb to the Penparc ram.

 

A ewe that is full sister to Gyrhos Rambo, which sold at Lanark in 2010 for 5,000gns, made 820gns.

 

Consigned from the Gyrhos flock of local breeder James Ruggeri she is by Brague Nixon and out of a ewe by Millar's Koala. She is in-lamb to the Kelso Ozone son Baltier Reward that was bought at Lanark last year and which won the shearling tup class at this summer's Royal Welsh Show. Buyers were T Davies and Co, Beulah.

 

Hereford purchaser D Jones gave 580gns for a yearling from the Llegodig flock consigned by T and M Orrells, Montgomery. By Hollyford Nijinsky and out of a Meinspride King Kong ewe, she was in-lamb to Clun Othello - a son of Muiresk Kris that won the yearling ram class at the breed's Welsh National Sale in 2009.

 

A 2009-bred ewe by Knock Oyster and consigned by R and J Pierce, Chester made 620gns.

She is out of a Stonebridge Kes dam and in-lamb to Kerryhill Renegade who is by Brague Nixon and stood supreme champion at Northern Ireland Premier sale 2010 selling for 3,200gns.

 

Averages: 118 females £333.

 

(Welshpool Livestock Sales)

 

Show results follow.

 

 

 

After Friday's record breaking Christmas Cracker sale at Carlisle the fireworks continued at Lanark on Saturday for the Select Seven in-lamb Texel gimmer sale, with a top call of 26,000gns achieved.

 

Selling for the top call, the second best ever female price for the breed, was one from Gordon Gray's Ettrick flock, GGH1000008. This ET bred gimmer is by Knock Papoose and out of a dam by Teiglum Nevada. She is full sister to 10,500gns sire Ettrick Rainbow Warrior. Selling with an index of 265 and in lamb to Milnbank SGT Pepper she was knocked down to Procters Farms, Clitheroe, Lancashire.

 

 

 

The Ettrick flock continued in strong form, selling at the next best price of the day, 10,000gns. This was bid by James Logan, Pirntaton, for Ettrick's third in the ring, GGH1000007, a full ET sister to the 26,000gns gimmer. This one was sold in lamb to Procters Spectacular and with an index of 276.

 

Next best of the sale was a 9000gns call for the third lot in from Robert Laird's Cambwell flock. This was LTC1000127, a daughter of Cowal Powerhouse out of a dam by the noted sire Cambwell Laird. A full sister to 40,000gns Cambwell Rob Roy and 28,000gns Cambwell Socrates she sold in lamb to Sportsman's Supreme and was bought by Alasdair Beaton, Wester Crosshill.

 

Following that at 6000gns was another from Gordon Gray's pen, GGH1000028. Again sired by Knock Papoose this one is out of another Teiglum Nevada daughter and has an index of 230. Sold in lamb to Knock Reebok this one found a new home with Stephen Cobbald, Suffolk.

 

A 4800gns call came early in the sale for the second lot in the ring, an Annan Okay Dokey sired gimmer from Angus McColm's Crailloch flock. This one, MAE10000002, is an ET bred gimmer out of a dam by Cowal Kidnapper and sold in lamb to Cambwell Sparky. She was the choice of Messrs Sutherland for the Sibmister flock, Caithness.

 

And trading at 3600gns was the best of the day from the Millar's flock of Martin and Cyril Millar. This was VMG1000167, a Sandleford Premier daughter out of a dam by Mellor Vale Masterpiece. Selling with an index of 195 and in lamb to 25,000gns sire Milnbank Special One she was bought by Jim Innes for the Strathbogie flock.

 

Averages; Crailloch five gimmers £1638, Millar's 12 gimmers £1163.75, Carran 6 gimmers £1053.50, Garngour, Teiglum and Clarks 14 gimmers £916.50, Turin three gimmers £350, Grougfoot 13 gimmers £600.92, Watchknowe 16 gimmers £612.28, Cambwell 17 gimmers £1837.50, Ettrick and Tima 19 gimmers £3430.74, Craighead seven gimmers £712.50 (Lawrie and Symington).

 

 

 

 

 

The Christmas Crackers Texel Sale at Carlisle Market saw a gimmer from the Mr John Forsyth's Glenside Flock top 32,000gns.

Taking the top price on the day was lot 658; this March 2010 born gimmer, Glenside FPG1000158(1), is by Strathbogie Python by Millar's Outstanding, and out of Cornerstone Isaac - a top price ewe at the Haremoss Dispersal Sale securing 2,200gns.

This one was bought by A Beaton, wester Crosshill Farm, Avonbridge Road, Slamannan, Falkirk. She was sold in-lamb to Hull House Space Cowboy, by Castlecairn Red Arrow RNA, having being AI'd on 22 September this year.

Other leading top prices on the day were also secured by Mr John Forsyth. Lot 660, Glenside FPG1000130(2) secured 6,500gns. This Feburary 2010 born gimmer is by Strahtbogie Python and out of Castlecairn Celtic Star. She was sold in-lamb to Hull House Space Cowboy, having being AI'd on 22 September 2011. The buyer was E Pugh, Glenallyn Farm, Llanuwchllyn, Bala, Gwynedd.

Meanwhile, lot 668, Glenside FGP1000053(2), secured 6,000gns selling to J & W Mellin, Hull House, Hellifield, Skipton, North Yorkshire. This February 2010 born gimmer is also by Strathbogie Python and out of Glenside Minstrel. It was sold in-lamb to Hull House Space Cowboy, and was AI'd in September this year.

In all, Mr Forsyth sold a total of 14 gimmers to an average of £4,747.50.

A & G Howie's Knock Flock also achieved top prices in the sales ring, with February 2010 born Knock HAK1000073(E) selling for 5,500gns to B Buchan, Clinterty, New Aberdour, Fraserburgh.

This one is by Garngour Playboy, himself by Knock Oregano, and out of Anglezarke Krug. A full sister to 11,000gns Knock Ronick and 6,000gns Knock Reebok, this one was sold in-lamb to Sportsman's Supreme, by Kelso Pavaraotti, and was AI'd in September this year.

The Howies sold a total of 12 gimmers to an average of £2,213.75.

Meanwhile, Graham A S Morrison's Deveronvale Flock saw a gimmer top 2,800gns. February 2010 born, Deveronvale MGV1000048(E) was bought by C&I Angus, Old Field Farm, Thurso, Caithness.

She is by Millar's Outstanding, by Mellor Vale Masterpiece, and out of Baltier Imp. She was sold in-lamb to Glenside Razzle Dazzle, by Strathbogie Python. In all, Mr Morrison sold 11 gimmers to an average of £1,226.60 and one embryo for £1,890.

J D Houghton's Tophill Flock saw two lots - lot 614 and lot 615 - achieve 2,500gns in the sales ring. And in all, a total of 6 gimmers were sold to an average of £1,338.85.

Lot 614, Tophill HPH1000069(1), sold to A Beaton, Wester Crosshill Farm, Avonbridge Road, Slamannon, Falkirk. This one is by Knock Orion, by Garngbour Nobleman, and out of Straidarran Maverick. It was sold in-lamb to Milknbank Spunky, by Glenside Razzle Dazzle.

And Lot 615, Tophill HPH1000031(E), sold to RH Wilson, North Dorlaithers, Turriff, Aberdeenshire. This one is by Mellor Vale Patriot, by Mellor Vale Officer, and out of Ettrick Mighty Mouse. She was sold in-lamb to Milnbank Spunky by Glenside Razzle Dazzle.

Mr Jimmy Douglas sold a total of 10 gimmers from the Cairness Flock to an average of £1,223.25. The tope price of 2,000gns was achieved by March 2010 born Cairness DJV1000132(2).

This one is by Deveronvale Perfection, by Kelso Oxygen, and out of Loosebeare Imp. She was sold in-lamb to Castlecairn Steve by Knock Powerpacker. The buyer was Lilburn Estates Farming, North Middleton House, Wooler, Northumberland.

Alan and Karen Wight's Midlock Flock saw 10 gimmers sell to £745.50. The top price of 1,600gns went to Midlock WKM1000044(2), bought by S Beachell, Beswick Hall, Beswick, Driffield, East Yorkshire.

This one is by Sheeoch Perfection, by Garngour Nobleman, and out of Claybury Midlander. She was sold in-lamb to Douganhill Monarch, by Glenside King II.

Mr W J Knox's Haddo Flock saw three lots (Lots 675, 676, 677) achieve 1,000gns, all bought by T Muirhead, Ptarmigan House, Blair Atholl, Perthshire. All three February 2010 gimmers are by Kelso President, by Mellor Vale Officer. In total, Mr Knox sold 8 gimmers to an average of £787.50.

Mr T MacTaggart's Rascarrel Flock saw a top price of 900gns go to February 2010 born Rascarrel MTR1000039(2). This one is by Rascarrel Piper, by Kerryhill Oliver, and out of Templand Megane. It was sold in-lamb to Sportsman's Sovereign by Cowal Rob Roy II. The buyer was A Beaton, Wester Crosshill Farm, Avonbridge Road, Slammanon, Falkirk. In all Mr MacTaggart sold 12 gimmers to an average of £676.38.

The auctioneers on the day were Harrison & Hetherington Limited.

** We're trying to get hold of pictures

The 19th annual Northern Area Texel Sheep Breeders' winter show and sale of pedigree females, saw a shearling ewe sell for 1,440gns (£1,512).

Taking top price on the day, and the championship title, was a shearling ewe from the Beautry flock of Stuart Currie, Rathmell.  This March 2010-born female, Beautry Cub1000149(2), is a daugther of Procters Oswald, himself otu of a home-bred £5,500 ewe which previously secured success as a lamb at the Royal, Great Yorkshire and Royal Lancashire shows.

She was sold in-lamb with twins to the 2,800gns sire Arkle South Pacific.  This one was bought by a 12-year-old Settle Middle School pupil, William Watson, of Hellifield, who recently established a new flock of pedigree Texels.

The young farmer, also snapped up the reserve champion, Meinspride LNM1000033(E), for 1,150gns (£1,207). from Mrs Angela Nairey's Meinspride flock, Bank Hey Farm, Liusey.

This February 2010-born female, is from Mrs Angela Nairey's Meinspride flock at Bank Hey Farm, Liusey.  She is a daughter of the Scottish-bred Glenside Drum Major, and carrying twins to Clinerty Solomon.  Her siblings have previously sold for 14,000gns and 11,000gns.

The young purchaser, bought a total of four Texel females at the sale at Skipton Market on Saturday, to add to his flock of six sheep acquired from John and Linda Mellin, Hull House, Hellifield.  The Mellins have aided William with breeding advice, and assisted him in registering with the Texel Sheep Society.

Taking honours in the ewe lamb class was a nine-month-old lamb from the Handbank flock of South Yorkshire breeders Bob and Anne Payne, of Carr Head Farm, Stocksbridge, Sheffield.

This one is a daughter of the Payne's own sire, Handbank Prince Charming, whose father Handbank Jack The Lad has sold semen to the UK, Ireland, Holland, Belgium and the USA.

CCM Auctions said the sale produced "solid commercial trade".  This was backed up by an average selling price for shearling ewes of £485.71.

Saturday's Christmas Present sale of Texel females on behalf of the Gloucester and Border Counties Texel Club saw trade peak at 900gns for a shearling ewe from the Peacehay flock of Messrs Chave, Somerset.

This one, CFP1000129, a Fachell Outlook daughter out of a dam by Lyonshall King of Clubs, was carrying twins to Castlecairn Phoenix and was knocked down to C R Amphlett, Craven Arms.

Next best was a 500gns call for one from the Quick family's Loosebeare flock, with this being a Glenside Nosey Parker daughter, QEL100535. She is out of a dam by Loosebeare Knight Rider and sold carrying twins to Tullochallum Perky. She went home with B L Thomas, Leominster.

Another from the Chaves then sold at 480gns, with this being another Fachell Outlook daughter, CFP1000206. Out of a dam by Lyonshall King of Clubs she sold in lamb to Scolton Panther and was bought by D McAuliffe, Kilkhampton, Devon.

The Barnage flock of Messrs Martyn and Son, took a call of 410gns for gimmer in lamb to Ettrick Super Scot. She sold to P and L Phillips, Kimbolton, Leominster.

Averages; 43 shearling ewes £348.69 (McCartneys).

A brace of Texel female sales attracted strong bidding at Carlisle this weekend, with  Saturday's Christmas Cracker Sale reaching a high of 8000gns.

The offering was led at 8000gns by a Mossknowe Pudsey daughter from the Strathbogie flock of the Innes family. This one, IJS1000033, is out of a dam by Baltier Nijinsky and is a full ET sister to this year's Turriff Show champion. Sold in lamb to Castlecairn SAS Commander she found a new home with Gordon Taylor, Aberchirder, Aberdeenshire.

Second top call of the day was a 6500gns bid for another of the Strathbogie draft, this time IJS1000083, a Bradleys Pure Gold daughter out of a dam by Castlecairn Kung Foo Fighter. Again sold in lamb to Castlecairn SAS Commander this one was taken home by Albert and George Howie, Peterhead, for the Knock flock.

 

And then making 5000gns was the first in the ring from Robert Cockburn's Connachan flock. This one, YSM1000018, is an ET bred daughter of Connachan O2 out of a Courthill Las Vegas dam and goes back to a 17,000gns Haremoss dam. She was sold in lamb to 12,000gns Milnbank Sound Investment and was bought by J N Ellis, Kenley, Shropshire.

Brian Buchan's Clinterty flock took the first of two bids at 4500gns, with this money paid for his lead gimmer, BBY1000061. She is a Kelso Oxygen daughter out of a dam by Baltier King which is twin to Clinterty Las Vegas. Sold with an index of 238 and in lamb to Ettrick Smasher, she went in a two way split to James Ruggeri, Caereinion, Welshpool, and William McCaffrey, Malpas, Cheshire.

The other at 4500gns was another of the Strathbogie gimmers, IJS1000062. This ET bred daughter of Millar's Outstanding is out of a dam by Claybury Lambert and sold in lamb to Castlercairn SAS Commander. She was taken home by Graham Morrison for the Deveronvale flock.

At 4000gns was the first in the ring from the Campbell family's Cowal flock. This was a Kelso Pavarotti daughter, CKC1000032, a twin out of a Muiresk Northern Dancer daughter. Selling with an index of 252 she was bought by David McKerrow, Cupar, Fife, and was in lamb to Foyle View Scorpion.

A bid of 3100gns was enough to secure another of the Srathbogie gimmers for the Carmavy flock of S and J McCollam, Co Antrim. Sired by Knock Party Time and out of a dam by Eastfield Merlin, this one, IJS1000053, was in lamb to Glenside Razzle Dazzle.

Averages; Milnbank flock 10 gimmers £1422.75, Sportsmans flock 12 gimmers £1470, Clinterty flock 10 gimmers £1076.25, Annan flock nine gimmers £577.50, Strathbogie flock 11 gimmers £3111.82, Cowal flock eight gimmers £1172.06, Connachan flock eight gimmers £1824.38, Allanfauld flock five gimmers £840, Fordafourie flock nine gimmers £764.17, Goldies flock 10 gimmers £601.65 (Harrison and Hetherington).

The champion native pair of lambs was awarded to a purebred Southdown pair from Meesers Harmer and Wakeham-Dawson. They also received the Sir Richard Cooper Perpetual Trophy for the best pen of two native pure bred lambs. In reserve was Messers Malcolm M Stewart with a pair of Suffolk x Beltex.

 

The title of champion continental went to D S and L E Wadland's pair of Blue Texel x Texel cross who were also named best pair of lambs bred by the exhibitor.

 

In reserve was Mr A D Bishop's pure bred Texels. These also won the Royal Smithfield Club Perpetual Trophy for the best pen of two continental pure bred lambs.

A packed house for the start of a hectic weekend at Borderway Mart saw the Twilight Texel sale of in-lamb ewes level 88 head at £1052 and take bidding to a top of 6000gns.

 

The call came for a gimmer by Castelcairn Prince consigned by Lancashire-based Proctors Farm Ltd. Out of an Anglezarke Nimrod ewe that was bought at the Muiresk dispersal for 4500gns, the gimmer was in-lamb to the 12,000gns Sportsman's Scania - a Cowal Rob Roy son. Buyer was Mr Jaeban, Cockermouth, Cumbria.

 

A gimmer from Robert Forsyth's Baltier entry made 3500gns to join the Sportsman's flock of Boden and Davies, Stockport. By Kelso Ozone, this gimmer is out of a Tophill Joe dam who is full sister to the 34,000gns Baltier Kracker. She is in-lamb to Baltier Panther - champion at last year's Great Yorkshire Show.

 

Stuart and Gail Currie from Settle, North Yorkshire realised 3200gns for a gimmer by Sportsman's Pasternak from their Beautry flock. Out of a Den Burg ewe this gimmer is in-lamb to Arkle South Pacific. She goes in a two-way split to Scottish buyers James Innes and Graham Morrison.

 

Early in the sale Mr Palmer, Shipton-on-Stour paid 3000gns for a Castlecairn Prince gimmer in-lamb to Sportsman's Scania. This gimmer won as a ewe lamb at Cumberland Show and is out of a Baltier King dam.

 

Averages: 88 head £1052. (Harrison and Hetherington).

 

The sheep championships happen tomorrow at Smithfield, but some of the individual sheep classes have been going on at the same time as the beef today.

 

In the trimmed sheep section, for pairs of lambs born in 2011, the Beltex class was won by R J Slade with his homebred Beltex x Dutchel Texels. In second was Andrew Morton's pure bred Beltex and third another pure bred, this time from Mr A D Bishop.

 

The Blackface class, had two entries forward - both pure bred and from G and A McFadzean.

 

The Charollais section was won by M J and J A Pinny with their Charollais x. In second was J and C Maxwell and their pure bred pair.

 

The Hampshire Downs saw Jonathan Long taking the top spot with his Hampshire Down x Beltex cross and Messrs E J and P J Cresswell taking second with a pure bred pair.

 

In the Southdowns class, Messrs Harmer and Wakeham-Dawson had success with their pure bred. In second it was R O Cox, again with a pure bred. The third spot was taken by Jonathan Long with a homebred Southdown x Beltex cross.

 

Messrs Malcolm M Stewart came first in the Suffolks class with their Suffolk x Beltex and in second it was M J and J A Pinny with their Suffolk x. Third was W A and A J Windsor with a pair of Suffolk x Texel.

 

In the Texels class, Mr A D Bishop went away with the top spot with his pure bred pair. In second was D S and L E Wadland with their Texel x Texel cross and third, R J Slade with a homebred pure bred pair.

 

Eifion Hughes came first in the any other native breed longwool with his Border Leicester x Welsh Mountains. In second and third was two pure bred Romney entries from Horne and Son.

 

Any other native breed shortwool had David and Susan Eglin in first with their pure bred Polled Dorsets.

 

The any other native hill breed class had John R Taylor in first with his North bred North Country Cheviots. In second was another from Eifion Hughes, this time a pair of pure bred Cheviots. In third was a pair of pure bred Exmoor Horns from Richmond J Harding.

 

D S and L E Wadland won the any other continental breed class with their Blue Texel x Texel cross and R J Slade cam second with their pure Blue Texel. In third was Ivanhoe Livestock's Blue Texels.

The evening sale on the first day of the Aberdeen Christmas Classic livestock show saw a strong trade for Suffolk, Beltex and Texel breeding females with a top call of 1900gns for a Texel.

 

The bid came from G Taylor, Huntly, Aberdeenshire for a gimmer shearling by Knock Party Time from James Innes and Sons' Strathbogie flock. She was in-lamb to the 40,000gns tup Glenside Razzle Dazzle who is by Strathbogie Python.

 

Auctioneer Colin Slessor described the trade as "extremely strong" with new buyers chasing foundation females for New Year lambing.

 

"Quality was good throughout and there was no shortage of confidence among the bidders," said Mr Slessor.

 

Taking the Texel championship was gimmer from A and G Howie by Garngour Nobleman. She was in-lamb to the 20,000gns Sportsmans Supreme - a tup jointly owned by the Howies. Buyer at 1200gns was B Milton, Fochabers who took several lots.

 

A good trade for Suffolks reached 1500gns given by Robbie Wilson, Turriff for the champion - a gimmer by the 12,000gns Glenhead Golden Phoenix from the Mair's Deveronside flock. She was in-lamb to Rhaeadr Roger Ram Jet. Durham buyer P Brennan paid 1300gns for the reserve champion which was also from Deveronside and by the Glenhead sire. She was in-lamb to Strathisla Sea Bird that made 10,000gns after standing champion at Edinburgh in 2009.

 

Overall average: 136 head £441.38 (Aberdeen and Northern Marts).

 

ends

There was strong demand at Shrewsbury Market for the reduction sale of James and Hannah Draper's Claybury flock, with a Texel female securing 2,200gns.

 

The sale also saw drafts go under the hammer from Messrs Quick's Loosebeare flock and Trinidad Investment's Colwood and High Weald Flocks.

 

The top price of 2,200gns went to the Drapers' 2008-born daughter of Castlecairn Keltic Star, DHL08105.  This one was bought by Richard Wilson, Eden Valley and was sold in lamb to 14,000gns Clinterty Samba I.  She is out of a homebred dam by Green Golden Boy, and a maternal sister to the 22,000gns Claybury Kruger. 

 

Other leading prices on the day included 2,000gns for Messrs Quick's shearling ewe - Summerwood Grand Union daughter, QEL1000006.  This one is out of a Douganhill Ferrari dam, and was sold in lamb to Loosebeare Rebel.  She was bought by John and Sarah Williams for their Honeyhill flock, Kimbolton.

 

Meanwhile a full sister to that shearling, QEL1000005, again in lamb to Loosebeare Rebel, sold for 1,900gns to J N Ellis, Kenley.  And the hammer went down at 1,700gns for a full ET bred sister to the top priced lot from the Drapers, DHL08110.  This one was in lamb to Claybury Rocky Balboa and was snapped up by Messrs Campbell, Eire.

 

Securing 900gns was a Claybury female carrying embryos.  The dam of these, DHL040003, was a Haddo Igniter daughter, and out of a dam by Muiresk Forever - the sire of the embryos was Clinerty Samba I.  The buyer was Jack Arnott for the Haymount flock, Kelso.

 

AVERAGES - in lamb ewes £672; shearling ewes £679, ewe lambs £527 (Halls).

 

John and Richard Currie, Ballymena topped the NI Texel Club Elite Gimmer sale held at the La Mon Hotel as part of the National AGM and social weekend. A Garngour Patriot daughter with Annan Jewel in her pedigree sold to out- going chairman Gordon Gray for £3,150. She comes in lamb to Strathbogie Stud which the Tullagh flock purchased in partnership at Lanark this year. He is a son of Glenside Razzle Dazzle who was awarded " 2011 1st Season Sire of the Year" back in September.

 

Martin and Cyril Millar's flock followed closely behind with a Mellor Vale Masterpiece daughter from a Corrie Lancelot dam selling to £2,940. This smart gimmer, a full sister to Millar's Outstanding, was sold in-lamb to Milnbank Special One, which was purchased in Lanark 2011 for 25,000gns. She travels to Aberdeenshire and the Strathbogie flock of James Innes and sons.

Other leading prices included a Kelso Oxygen daughter from the Ballygroogan flock of Wilkinson Brothers. She was purchased for £1,900 by new breeder Richard Reynolds, Co Down and comes in -lamb to Glenside Razzle Dazzle. Also hitting the £1,900 mark was a Baltier Nailer daughter from the Ballynahone flock of Richard Henderson. She joins the Bregagh flock of Leonard Linton in lamb to Springhill Stone.

 

Saturday's Texel sale at Clitheroe saw a top call of 1300gns paid for the pre-sale champion, a shearling tup from Procters Farm. This one was knocked down to J S Stephenson, Bordley, Skipton.

Second best was an 1150gns bid for a ram lamb from Messrs Davies and Waring, with this one bought by W H and M A Keighley, Castley Lane, Leathley.

Next top was a shearling at 750gns, with this one coming from Graham Taylor, Parkholme, and selling to A Rigby, Higher Woodhouse Farm, Slaidburn,

The reserve champion, a ram lamb from Peter Woof's Stainton flock then sold for 700gns to T Harrison, Clifford Yard House, Skipton.

And making 650gns was a shearling from from P Johnson, Corriecravie, when bought by to H and F G Smalley, Scott House Farm, Clitheroe. A 600gns bid then secured the best from John Mellin's Hull House flock, with this one finding a new home with S M Collinson, Glendene, Clayton Le Dale, Blackburn.

Topping the gimmers on offer was a brace of 420gns sales, with the first at this money being from Hull House and selling to A S H Mawdsley, Little Bank Bungalow, Settle, and the second from John Wood, North Valley, selling to R Pinder, Edisford Bridge, Clitheroe. (Lawrie and Symington).

Texels sold to a top of 4100gns for a shearling ewe from Stuart Currie's Beautry flock, at Skipton last week.

The sale topper, a daughter of Sportsmans Pasternak and sold to John and Linda Mellin, Hellifield, for the Hull House flock.

Selling at 2200gns was the reserve champion from the pre-sale show, a shearling tup from Peter Longdin, Tickhill. Sired by Langlands Rockstar and sold to H A Sawrey, Ulverston.

At 1500gns was the champion from the pre-sale show, shearling tup Williambeck Royal Flush from Philip Makin, Bilsdale, Helmsley. This one, by Llangwyn Noddy sold to another John Mellin, this time from Mill House, Long Preston.

The same price was achieved by the third prize shearling ram, Stonebridge Rambo, a February, 2010-born son of Drumpark President, from South Yorkshire breeders Steve and Sherry Richardson, Great Houghton, Barnsley. The buyers were P and S Mellor, High Peak in the Peak District.

Helen Keighley, who runs the Wigglesworth Texel flock in partnership with her mother, Freda Booth, at Long Preston had a successful day, selling a shearling ram at 1900gns to Roger and Jason Craddock, Bolton by Bowland, along with a second shearling ram knocked down at 1150gns to David and Robin Booth, Feizor, Austwick.

And David Towell's offering of shearling rams also created keen interest at the ringside, his entries including a 1700gns acquisition by John Stephenson, Bordley, another at 1,600gns to the Coates family in, Stainforth, Settle.

Top performer in the ram lamb class was the February-born Loxley Starmaker from John and Alison North, of Fenwick, Doncaster. He is a son of Garngour Patriot, bought by the Norths two years ago and second prize shearling ram at last year's Great Yorkshire Show, also landing numerous inter-breed championships.

The ram lamb, itself first prize winner this year at both Otley and Kilnsey Shows and seventh in a strong class at the Great Yorkshire, sold for 1600gns to M P Dent, Brafferton, Darlington.