Rare Breeds Trust turns in quality showing
Rare Breeds Trust turns in quality showing
GOING ahead with the Rare Breeds Survival Trust show and sale last Saturday, with every effort made to recognise the days significance, was described as a "dignified compromise" by organising auctioneer John Thornborrow.
Fridays showing classes suffered few absentees and Saturdays buyers were able to move between sale rings and television screens set up to cover the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales.
The sale, the largest of its kind in Europe, is the premier event for rare breed enthusiasts.
Black-and-white Irish Moiled cattle continue to command good prices. And it was Wimpole Alice, from Wimpole Hall, Royston, Herts, that made the events top price of 2000gns after taking the reserve inter-breed title. Buyer was Basil Larson, County Down.
Overall inter-breed cattle champion was the White Park cow Broom Jessica from S Austin, Dorchester. She realised 1000gns to Colin Lazenby, Ayrshire.
The minority inter-breed cattle championship was won by the White Park bull Albany Prestige from L M Cook, Cambridge, and bought for 1200gns by P Furlonger, Brentwood, Essex.
Longhorn trade was easier but the National Trust at Wimpole Hall continued its support paying 1400gns for Aberdeen City Councils young bull Aberdeen Taurus that stood breed champion.
Also noteworthy was Cheshire breeders Mr and Mrs Ardrons Shetland shearling ewe Enfield Grape. This ewe carries a particularly attractive two-tone fleece classed as Grey Katmoget. She jointly topped the sheep trade at 550gns to Dr Elizabeth Stanley, Herts.
Ms S Pond, Kent, won the inter-breed sheep title with a Southdown ram from her Colwood flock. It made 250gns.
Inter-breed champion pig was the Berkshire boar Highlands Ambassador 12th from Charles Bull, Rye, Sussex, which went to Mrs Vicki Mills, Crediton, Devon, for 540gns.
(Harrison and Hetherington)n
The inter-breed sheep line-up at the rare breeds event at Stoneleigh.