Gimmers hit a gold seam as Texels sell at Lanark

TEXEL GIMMERS struck a “gold seam” at Lanark auction mart, when one of the centre’s best pens this season produced the fixture”s highest average for breeders Tom and Robert Laird and levelled at 1717 for 17 head.

The Laird’s Cambwell consignment was part of the Select Seven sale from leading Scottish flocks and included a 5000gns bid for a Group 1 gimmer by Crailloch Galaxy and out of a ewe by Watchknowe Dominic.

The gimmer is in-lamb to the 15,000gns Clinterty Jedi and was bought by Jimmy Innes, Huntley, Aberdeenshire.

The next lot in the ring made 4200gns to Stuart Currie for his Beautry flock at Rathmell, Skipton. This gimmer – in-lamb to Crailloch Galaxy – is by Tapanui Icon and out of a ewe by Alwent Flint.

Lawrie & Symington auctioneer Brian Ross said: “Another good trade for some top-class gimmers. Unfortunately some vendors were hit by the problem of finding ewes empty at scanning – it’s been a problem among several flocks this season.”

The day’s top call of 5500gns came from Aberdeenshire’s Sandy Lee to take a gimmer by Cornerstone Isaac whose sons have sold to 48,000gns. The gimmer, from Jim Warnock’s Watchknowe flock, is in-lamb to Doon Valley Karaoke.

Gimmers from the Ettrick pen of Gordon Gray reached 5000gns when Proctors Farms, Slaidburn, Lancs, claimed an entry by the 9000gns Crookholm Impressario and in-lamb to the 52,000gns Baltier King – a son of the 122,00gns Tophill Joe.

Messrs Cullen’s Craighead consignment sold to 3000gns for a gimmer by Ettrick High Jinks and AI’d to Baltier King. Buyer was Brian Buchan, Aberdeen.

Best bid for John McKerrow”s Grougfoot selection was 2400gns paid by North Yorks breeder John Mellin buying for his Hull House flock. The gimmer is by Glenside Hot Shot and in-lamb to the 18,000gns Haddo Kerfuffle that stood champion at the breed society”s national show and sale at Worcester in August.

Leading the Clark family’s Garngour gimmers was one by Ettrick High Jinks and in-lamb to the 32,000gns Fordafourie Kracker. Sandy Lee, who bred Kracker, bought the gimmer at 4400gns.

Averages:

Ettrick – 20 gimmers 1281; Craighead – eight gimmers 881; Grougfoot – 15 gimmers 730; Watchknowe – 23 gimmers 603; Cambwell – 17 gimmers 1717; Grougfoot – 19 gimmers 973; Crawfordjohn – eight gimmers 297. (Lawrie and Symington).