Welsh texels draw crowds

THE WELSH Borders Select Texel Breeders‘ group staged its fifth annual sale of in-lamb shearling ewes, drawing a big crowd of buyers to Brecon market where prices reached 1300gns for a Group 2 entry from N E and J A Gibbs’ Bettonfield flock.

This smart ewe by Annan Glenfarg stood third in her class at the Royal Welsh Show and now joins the flock of local breeder W Gittoes at Llandefaelog.

A Group 1 daughter of Millend Gilt Edged from M and S Jones‘ Racecourse flock earned the day‘s second highest price of 860gns. Buyers were M and S Roberts of Yockleton, Shrewsbury.

Among the sale‘s other leading bids was a string of good prices for daughters of Claybury Iain consigned by breeder Avril Evans of Raglan, Gwent. She achieved the top flock average selling 11 to level at £483.

Her top-priced shearlings ranged from 550gns and 650gns and sold to J T Houldey and Sons (Hasfield, Glos), S Gibbons (Hay on Wye) and C S Ball (Abergavenny). (McCartneys)