Sheep dog sells for world record 8,000gns

The world record price paid for a working sheep dog was smashed when the hammer fell at 8,000gns for an 18-month-old black-and-white bitch.

Marchup Midge, from breeder Shaun Richards, Hapton, Burnley, was brought by Suffolk shepherd Eddie Thornalley, of Worlington at Skipton auction market.

It broke the previous world record of 6,000gns achieved at Skipton last year for 13-month-old bitch Dewi Fan, from John Bell, of Parks Farm, Howden, in Selby.

 Midge is bred by the 2008 World Sheep Dog Trials champion Roy and is out of Calderdale Sue, who was bred in Trawden by Stuart Bennett.

She is a full sister to Marchup Sam, who was sold by Mr Richards at Skipton in July and realised 5,000gns – the second highest price paid worldwide.

Mr Thornalley has now purchased four dogs from Mr Richards and his latest acquisition will be used as a work dog and in local nursery trials.