New Blackface record of £160,000 set at Dalmally sale

MICHAEL PRIESTLEY

Breed record books were rewritten at Dalmally’s annual Blackface ram sale on Saturday, when a ram lamb from Ian Hunter, Dalchirla, Crieff, sold for £160,000 – smashing last year’s record by £60,000.

It was the highlight of a phenomenal day for the Dalchirla flock, which also sold the second grossing ram lamb at £35,000 and topped the shearling section at £62,000.

Their record-breaker was purchased in a three-way split, by Willie Dunlop and sons Quintin and William, Elmscleugh, Dunbar; Muirkirk breeders, Hugh and Alan Blackwood, Auldhouseburn; and John Murray, Crossflatt. By a home-bred son of a £50,000 Dalwyne, the sale leader is out of £22,000 Connachan.

The day’s second highest price of £35,000 was paid for another Dalwayne son. This one sold in a four-way split to Archie and John MacGregor, Allanfauld, Kilsyth; Jimmy and Donald MacGregor, Dyke, Milton of Campsie; Allan Wight and son Allan, Midlock, Crawford; and Tom Bagan, Waterlands, Stewarton.

Next best was a pair of twins by a home-bred son of a £68,000 Elmscleugh. The first was knocked down for £20,000 in a three-way split to Ian Bond, Glen, Gatehouse; Willie Stevenson, Balrazzie, Barr and Charlie Mitchell and Sons, Little Larg, New Luce. The second sold for £14,000 to Tom Paterson, Dunruchan, Muthill.

Dalchirla’s star shearling by a £30,000 Aitkenhead made £62,000 when selling to Neil and Stuart Barclay, Harestone, Insch; and Troloss Farms, Elvanfoot, and Malcolm Coubrough and son Malcolm, Hartside and Whelphill, Crawford.

A third shearling from the same home by a £68,000 Elmscleugh made £15,000 when selling to John and Richard Wood, Kingledores, Tweedsmuir.

Averages: 164 Blackface ram lambs, £2274 (up £1253 on the year); 507 shearling rams, £746 (up £114 on the year). (United Auctions)