Suffolks top at 3,000gns at Skipton

The sale topper, at 3,000gns, was from a pen of four January 2022-born shearling ewe daughters of Salopian Solid Gold, all in-lamb to Lakeview 1Up. Out of a Ballynacannon-bred ewe, it sold to Martin Sharp, Giggleswick.

The second top price of 2,500gns was for the second prize winner and reserve champion out of a Stockton dam, from the same home, which was carrying a single lamb. The buyer was Rachael Cook, Lancashire.

The other two shearlings in the Sportsmans pen both made 2,000gns. The first, out of a home-bred Strathbogie A Kind Of Magic dam, was one of eight bought by the Holgate family, Rathmell.

The other was a full-sister to the sale leader, which went to Helen Warering, Kirkby-in-Furness.

Claiming the joint second top price of 2,500gns was the winning ewe lamb, a daughter of Solwaybank Cracker from Stephen Bolland's Wharfe flock, Bolton Abbey, which also went home with the Holgates.

The overall championship went to John Gibb, Fraserburgh, with his first prize Moorsley shearling ewe, bought last year from Katie Brannen. Out of a Burnview dam and carrying a single to Bridgeview Balvenie, it sold for 1,800gns to the judge, Andrea Smith, Withnell.

 Averages - 35 shearling ewes, £996 (+£254 on 2022); 23 ewes £764 (+£91); 28 ewe lambs,  £637 (-£77).

 Auctioneers: CCM.