Third championship in a row for Sarah Wallbank

Bentham Auction Mart’s Great annual show and sale of hoggs with lambs at foot saw a fantastic entry of top quality hoggs which did not disappoint a packed ringside of purchasers.

In the pre-sale show judge, Philip Elliot, Mungrisedale, had the unenviable task of selecting his top three pens of five North of England Mule hoggs with single lambs from a tremendous line up of 12 pens out for the show.

Championship honours were awarded to Sarah Wallbank and daughter Emma, Wray, this being the third time championship for Sarah. Mother and daughter also went on to sell their champions at £300/couple (£150/head) selling to Les Thackray. Sarah also achieved second prize with a pen of five selling to judge, Philip Elliot for £200/couple.

In the Continental hoggs with lambs section judge Robbie Mitton had no hesitation in selecting a pen of five Cheviot x Beltex hoggs with Beltex lambs at foot from Stephen Thompson, Sedbergh, which went onto achieve £200/couple to J Garth and Son, Keasden.

Trade throughout the day was brisk for all classes of sheep with lambs at foot, the highlight being a pedigree Texel ewe with pure Texel tup lamb from Ted Longton, Gressingham. This couple sold for £510 (£255 per life) also to J Garth and Son.