Suffolk trade ups last year Edinburgh average

Traditionally the breed’s leading sale in terms of prices, this year’s Suffolk fixture at Ingliston didn’t disappoint with no fewer than 11 five figure deals and a top price of 48,000gns.

Paying this figure was northern Irish breeder and former breed president Harry Stewart, Castlewellan. His choice was Robbie Wilson’s first lamb in from his Strathisla pen. Next up was another Irish breeder, this time a southern Irishman as vendor of the second highest priced lamb, this time 40,000gns. Taking this bid was Co Meath-based property developer Tom Bailey for the first son offered by last year’s sale topper Rhaedr Rossi.

Early in the sale, Mr Bailey’s pen of 10, with eight by Rossi had attracted much interest in the run up to the sale. And the bidding war over the first lamb was no disappointment, with Jimmy Douglas, Cairness, having the final say to claim this tup which has dam lines from the famous Baileys Ceaser line.

And it was Mr Bailey himself who got in on the action at the next highest price, buying one of two entries knocked down at 20,000gns.

His choice for his Baileys flock was one from Mr Douglas’ pen by first season sire Thurston Chieftain.

The second 20,000gns call came for the first of John Christie’s offering, an early February-born lamb by Cairness First Glance and out of a dam by Perrinpit Xtra Special. This one goes north to join P Machray’s Middlemuir flock, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire.

In the action at 16,000gns was current breed president Stephen Cobbold, Acton, Suffolk, buying for his Melford flock. His pick was the first of Mike Anderson’s two entries from his Glenarder flock.

Being rewarded for several years’ heavy investment in the breed was Keith Evans, Plasllewelyn, who took home 15,000gns for the pick of his pen. This one goes to D Roberts, Corniby Lane, north Wales and is by homebred tup Plasllewelyn Pittsburgh.

Pitching in at 12,000gns to claim the pre-sale show champion were Roger and Michael Weaver, Perrinpit. From John Gibb’s Cairnton flock and by Cairness Gold Glint, this was one of three lambs bought on the day by the Weavers ahead of their production sale this autumn.

Second call at this level came for another Strathisla lamb from Mr Wilson. This was his second in the ring and after spirited bidding from all sides of the ring it was John Hanly, Horse and Jockey, Eire who had the delight of taking this one home.

The next deal was struck at 11,000gns and marked the return to the big time of the Mair family, Deveronside. Having dispersed their exceptional Muiresk flock in 2003, the family, led by Barclay and wife Lucy have gently eased their way back into the breed, clinching the breed championship at this year’s Royal Highland Show.

Two lambs netted one breeder calls of 10,000gns, with Mr Douglas twice taking that money for lambs from Cairness. First to fall at this bid was one by Meikleson Impression with an index of 2.32.

Claiming this one were four breeders, Angus Wilson, Glenhead, the Benzie family, Meikleson, Iain Barbour, Solwaybank and Judith Barbour, Ewebank.

Messrs Wilson and Benzie also teamed up to lay an 8000gns bid for another of Mr Douglas’. This was by Meikelson The King and out of a dam by Collessie Cut Above.

The second 10,000gns lamb shared the same father as Mr Douglas’ pen leader in Thurston Chieftain. His mother is a ewe bred in the late Gordon Wilson’s Glenisla flock and is by Crosemanor Commandeur. He went home with D McGaughan, Ballymoney.