Curley flock lead January Gems Texel sale at Ballymena

The January Gems Texel sale hit a high of 1,600gns twice at Ballymena, Northern Ireland, last Saturday.

Heading the prices was John Trimble’s Curley flock, with his first at this level being a gimmer by Haddo Ringleader and out of a homebred dam by Milestonehill O’Gara. This one goes back to Hillhead Ferrari and sold carrying twins by the 8,000gns Cowal Viceroy. She was bought by John McPolin, Hilltown, Co Down.

The second at this money from the Curley consignment was a daughter of Brackenridge Transformer out of a Mellor Vale Masterpiece daughter, which is ET sister to the 12,000gns Curley Orlando. She was offered in-lamb to Ballybrooney Van Persie and sold to Henry Gamble, Bangor, Co Down, for the Springwell flock.

Making 1,400gns was the Mullan family’s best from their Blue Gates flock. This was MUC1300161, a Mullan Superfly daughter out of a dam by Downkillybegs Nero and in-lamb to Millcomb Vindicator. She sold carrying twins and was bought by Barclay Bell, Rathfrilland, Co Down.

Following her at 1,350gns was the best of the day from the Simpson and Calvin partnership’s Ballyhivistock entry; a Hull House Schnapps daughter. This gimmer, SCY1300607, is out of a dam by Beechvale Kudos and sold in-lamb to Llyfni Vidal when bought by Alistair Breen, Tempo, Co Down.

Trading at 1,100gns was another from the same home and also by Hull House Schnapps. This was SCY1300674 a gimmer out of a dam by Blackstown Mint. She also sold in-lamb to Llyfni Vidal and also headed home with Alistair Breen.

Also making this money was another from the Blue Gates consignment, MUC1300183, another by Mulland Superfly and this time out of a dam by Cairness Perfection and in-lamb to Millcomb Vindicator. She sold carrying triplets and also found a new home with the McFarlands.

And the final four-figure sale of the day was another 1,100gns call when John Trimble sold a full ET sister to the sale topper. This was TYC1300304 and sold in-lamb to the 8,000gns Cowal Viceroy. She was the choice of Jim Wilson, Crumlin, Co Antrim

Averages: 59 females, £537.64.

(Ballymena Mart, JA McLelland and Son).