Texel averages rise at Worcester

This week’s English National Sale, Worcester, saw trade hit a high of 10,000gns and both pedigree and commercial buyers in bidding mood as they sought out the best available genetics for this year’s tupping season.

Texel Society chief executive John Yates said: “Averages for both ram lambs and shearling ewes rose on the year, with the shearling ewe average settling at £873.66, nearly £120 up on 2014 and more than £250 up on 2013. Meanwhile, the ram lamb average leveled at £936.76, a rise of £34 on the year and more than £70 up on two years previously.”

It was clear that demand for quality Texel sires was as strong as ever and buyers had bid strongly for the best of the sheep on offer, he added.

“Despite the prime lamb trade struggling it was the resolute bidding of commercial buyers which underpinned the sale once again and resulted in strong clearances and averages in all sections.”

Taking the sale’s top call of 10,000gns was the reserve male champion from the pre-sale show, Ellen Valley Warlord from George Wilkinson. Sired by Milnbank Vantastic and out of a Teiglum Topper sired dam, he sold with an index of 352 and was the choice of Gordon Gray, Ettrick; Messrs Knox, Haddo; and Stephen Cobbald, Acton.

Next best at 5,000gns was the first prize winner from the YDP class in the pre-sale show, Usk Vale War-Lord, from Usk Vale Poultry. This son of the 42,000gns Glenside Valhalla is out of a Knock Travis dam, which was bred by Alastair Gault and was champion at Balmoral last year before being bought for £15,000. He sold to Paul O’Connor, Drumgooland.

Close behind at 4,900gns was Eden Valley Wild West from Richard Wilson. This son of the 2014 sire of the year, Oberstown Usain Bolt, is out of a dam by Sportsmans Tremendous II and was male champion and reserve overall champion in the pre-sale show. He sold to Robert Evans, Hope Valley.

John Forsyth took 3,500gns for Glenside Whistle Blower, a son of the 85,000gns Cornmore Velvet Jacket and out of a dam by Strathbogie Python. This one sold to the Lawrence family for their Coton flock, Market Bosworth.

After that came a 3,200gns bid for Ettrick William Wallace from Gordon Gray, sired by Castlecairn Vital Spark and out of a dam by Glenside Ring A Ding. He traded with an index of 427 and was knocked down to D and J A Stewart, Ferney Lees.

Making 3,100gns was Vorn Waterloo from John Vaughan. This Vorn Vaurus son is out of a dam by Avon Vale Real Deal and sold with an index of 484 to an undisclosed buyer.

Nicola Hartwright sold Whitehart Wanted at 2,800gns. By Loosebeare Voomer and out of a dam by Humeston River Dance, he was bought by G H and G G Wilkinson, Arkle.

Selling for 2,600gns was Jim Innes Strathbogie Whopper, a son of the 52,000gns Mullan Vivaldi and out of a dam by Millar’s Outstanding. This one sold in a two-way split to Steve and Helen Smith, Pen Parc, and new breeder Paul Delves, Welshpool.

John Leitch then took 2,500gns for Cornmore Water Mist, a full brother to the 85,000gns Cornmore Velvet Jacket from last year. Sired by Tullylagan Tonka he is out of a dam by Sheeoch Ringmaster and sold to David and Thomas Bradley-Farmer and Luke Lodge.

Stuart Currie took 2,300gns for Beautry Warwick, a son of Loosebeare Voldemort out of a dam by Sportsmans Pasternak. He sold to D R and E A Jones, The Bage, Hereford.

At 2,050gns was Alwent Waterloo from the Nesbitt family. This son of Brackenridge Underdog is out of a dam by Goldies Supreme and sold with an index of 439 and was claimed by T C and R L Adams, Vale of Glamorgan.

A 2,000gns call then secured Charben Wolf from Ben Vernon. This son of the homebred sire Charben Vieira is out of a dam by Mossknowe Pudsey and sold to R and B James, Fishguard.

Average: 167 ram lambs £936.76.

Shearling rams

Shearling rams sold to a high of 2,100gns for Kimbolton Valiant from Paul Phillips. This son of Wallington Special Brew is out of a dam by Drinkstone Oh Just So and sold with an index of 459. He was bought by Stephen Cobbald, Sudbury.

At 2,060gns was Slapton Vaderstad from Barbara Smith and family, with this son of Scolton Top Spec being out of a dam by Lyonshall Lotus and selling to R C Burrough and Son, Membury.

At 1,540gns was Tumble Tye Colt from the Warnock family, Dover. He’s by Whitehart Supersonic and out of a dam by Tumble Tye Pan Pipes. This one was knocked down to P J Evans, Brecon.

And at 1,500gns was Philip Weaver’s shearling, Empire Venom. Sired by Brijohn Ralph he’s out of a dam by the same sire and has an index of 244. Buying this one were C P Prouse and Son, Week St Mary, Devon.

Average: 64 shearling rams £748.13.

Shearling ewes

Shearling ewe trade at the English National Sale, Worcester, followed the trend set at the three previous National sales, with strong demand from new and existing breeders resulting in an 88% clearance and the average lifting by £120 on the year.

Heading up the trade at 4,000gns was the pre-sale champion from Peter Woof’s Stainton flock. This one WPS1400594, which was both female and overall champion, is by Anglezarke Uno and out of a dam by Carran Sutherlands Star. She sold with an index of 352 and was bought by Paul Delves, Churchstoke, as a foundation female for a new flock.

Next best at 2,800gns was Alastair Gault’s third prize gimmer, GAF1401132, a daughter of the 2014 sire of the year Oberstown Usain Bolt. Out of a dam by Douganhill McFly, which is also dam of last year’s Balmoral Show champion that sold for £15,000, she was knocked down to Luke Lodge, Doncaster.

Following her at 2,600gns was another from the same home, this time from Beth and Jack Gault’s Cherryvale flock. This was GCN1401260, a Duncryne Uber Cool daughter, which is ET sister to the 5,500gns gimmer the Gaults sold at Lanark last week. She joins her sister with Paul Tippets and Christine Williams at Shifnal, Shropshire.

Stuart Currie took 2,300gns for his fourth prize gimmer, CUB1400932. Sired by Arkle Uncle Tom, she is out of a dam by Procters Oswald and was bought by Ian Andrews for the Cattistock flock.

The next best call of 2,000gns was shared by two gimmers, the first from the Riby family’s Stonehills flock. This was RKS1400913, a Mellow Vale Unforgettable daughter out of a dam by Procters Rooney. She sold to Paul Delves, buyer of the top priced gimmer.

Also at this price was Robert Cockburn’s daughter of Knap Up & At Em, CKP1400011. This one is out of a dam by Kiltariff Osprey and sold to David and Thomas Bradley-Farmer, Hampshire.

Following her at 1,850gns was another from the same home, CKP1400063. Sired by Tamnamoney Tuborg Gold and out of a dam by Knock Papoose she sold to H G Thomas, Carmarthenshire.

Two sold at 1,700gns, the first being Matthew Ellis’ second gimmer of the sale from the Cressage flock, EMK1401859. Sired by Garngour Upperclass she is out of a dam by Annan Limmy and sold with an index of 283 to Paul and Baillie O’Connor, Drumgooland.

The other at this money was another from Peter Woof, WPS1400644. She’s a Sportsmans Tremendous II daughter and is out of a dam by Carran Sutherland’s Star. She headed home with A J Carter, Dawlish.

Gordon Gray then took 1,500gns for a Llyfni Usain Bolt daughter, GGH1404008. She’s out of a Thinacres Grenade daughter and sold to C and S Ball, Crossenny, Gwent.

Average: 73 gimmers £873.66.

(McCartneys)