Ballymena Texels sell to 9000gns top
The first of the season’s major Texel sales saw a solid trade at Ballymena on Tuesday for the Northern Irish Premier Sale, with a top of 9000gns and the ram lamb average rising by more than £110 with 44 more sold.
Selling for the day’s top price was Fairywater Superstar from Andrew Fyffe. This Knock Oregano son is out of an Ettirck My Jinks daughter which was reserve interbreed at Amagh Show in 2008. He was subject to a bidding war between a pair of syndicates, with a quintet of Northern Irish eventually beating off competition from Scotland. Sharing him were John and Richard Currie, Henry Gamble, Marshall and Sarah Riley, Brian Hanthorn and Barclay Bell.
Second best at 8800gns was Springhill Silverstone from John Foster. He’s an ET bred lamb by Halley Pathfinder and out of a dam by Blackstown Milo. He was also bought by a consortium of buyers, with this one shared between Andrew and Robin Kennedy, Robert Robinson, Cyril and Martin Millar and Richard Henderson.
Then at 5500gns was Forkins Stevey G from the pre-sale show judge Alistair Gault. This one is by Duncryne Ringmaster and out of a Douganhill McFly daughter and is from the same family as 8000gns sire Ballynahone Oscar. Taking this one home were Pip and Carol Kermode and family, Isle of Man.
Selling for 5200gns was Blackstown Shrek from James Wilson. This is a Springhill Outlook son out of a Mellor Vale Masterpiece-sired dam and sold to Robert Mulligan for the Brague flock.
A 4500gns bid was enough to secure Tullagh Squire from John and Richard Currie. This is an ET bred Kelso Picasso son is out of a dam by Gruig Outlaw. He also heads to the Isle with the Kermode family to join their Orrisdale flock.
Selling for 4400gns was Mullan Supemacy from Brian Hanthorn, the winner of the recorded class and reserve overall in yesterday’s judging. He’s by Mossknowe Pudsey and out of a dam by Milestonehill O’Gara. He was bought in a four way split by Messrs Ruggeri, McCaffrey, Ellis and Pierce.
And then at 2800gns was Derrybore Solid Rock from Owen Donohoe. He’s a son of Ballynahone Raider and is out of a Cherryvale Nijinsky-sired dam. This one sold to S Murray, Co Donegal, Eire.
Just shy of that at 2700gns came Ballydesland Saga from P Garrivan. Sired by Kelso Oxygen he is out of a dam by Brague Jethro and was snapped up by John Darcy, Co Wexford, Eire.
A pair then sold at 2600gns, with the first being Mullan Superfly from Brian Hanthorn. This is an ET bred Kelso Picasso son out of a Brague Nixon-sired dam and sold to C and M Mullan, Limavady. Second to take this price was Foyle View from Michael Smyth. This one which had been third in the pre-sale show is by Straidarran Ranger and out of a dam by Douganhill McFly. He sold to Keith Campbell and family, Argyll.
And trio then collected 2500gns bids, with the first at this price being Seneirl Samson from Alan Cochrane. He’s by Heathmount Revelation and out of a Livery Overdrive daughter. He went home with John Foster, Springhill.
The second transaction at this money came for Millcomb Starbuck from John Watson. This is a son of Duncryne Ringmaster and out of a dam by Knock Impulse. The buyer of this was David Stubbs Lisbellaw.
Finally at this price was Springhill Supersonic from John Foster. Sired by Springhill Outlook he’s out of a dam by Mossvale Norbrook and sold to J L McKinny, Maghera.
Then at 2400gns was Tullagh Supreme from the Curries. He’s full ET brother to the 4500gns Tullagh Squire and was bought by Peter Boyd, Ballyclare.
Average; 221 ram lambs £904, 94 shearling rams £726.85 (J A McClelland).