Largy I Show Speed from Eugene Branagan which sold for 32,000gns.
Texel record broken at Ballymena
A new centre record for a ram lamb, a sale record average and a 90% clearance were the highlights of the Northern Ireland National Texel Sale, which topped at 32,000gns.
The sale topper, from Eugene Branagan, was Largy I Show Speed, a son of the 170,000gns Knap Grumpy out of a dam by 42,000gns Mullan Amigo. It was knocked down to Adrian Liggett for the Corbo flock, Co Tyrone.
Second best at 22,000gns, from Cathal Harkin, Strabane, Co Tyrone, was The Rock Icon. This son of 70,000gns 2024 Lanark topper Hexel High Voltage, out of a Harestone Fast N Furious daughter, sold to Alan Blackwood, Auldhouseburn flock, Ayrshire.
At 20,000gns from Adrian Liggett was Corbo Ice Baby by Forkins Hawkeye out of a dam by Hexel Fan Club, which sold to Jonny Cubitt, Drumcon.
John Greene, Co Donegal, paid 13,000gns for another from Messrs Harkin's pen, The Rock Ireland, another by Hexel High Voltage and a full ET brother to 22,000gns Icon.
Shearling rams
Shearling rams topped at 4,800gns for Duvarren Houston from John Watson, Downpatrick. By Duvarren Colorado and out of a dam by Duvarren Whizz-Kid, it sold to Richard Cowan, Magheramorne, Co Antrim.
Next at 4,000gns, for Gareth Tumelty, Downpatrick, was Aideshill Hedgehunter by 23,000gns Peacehay Ya Belter out of a dam by Scrogtonhead Class Act, which sold to Messrs Watson.
Brian and William McAllister, Ballymena, then took 3,600gns for Artnagullion Highflyer, a son of Blackadder Doddie which was bought by Karl O'Mullan, Ballymena.
Leading the shearling gimmer trade at 5,500gns was Owen and Liam Donohoe's Derryvore flock, Enniskillen, with a Mullan Game Changer daughter out of a Garngour-bred dam by Procters Chumba Wumba. The buyer was P. Grant, Kilcoo, Co Down.
Next at 2,400gns from Ciaran McAuley, Capecastle, was a Rhaeadr Entrepreneur daughter, out of a Larkhill-bred dam by Mullan Captain, which sold to C. Magill, Larne, Co Antrim.
Making 2,000gns from Philip Dodds' Tullybrannigan flock, Newcastle, Co Down, was a Corbo Golden Boy daughter which sold with a top 10% texelplus index, to Darragh Niland, Craughwell, Co Galway.
Averages - 235 ram lambs, £2,003.49 (90% clearance); 72 shearling rams £1,961.46 (96% clearance); 20 gimmers £1,503.08.
Auctioneers: J. A. McClelland and Son.
Dutch Spotted sell to 15,000gns high
The Dutch Spotted Premier sale, this year split between Lockerbie and Carlisle marts as a result of bluetongue restrictions, saw females dominate the trade. Bidding reached 15,000gns at Lockerbie for the second prize gimmer lamb from the Johnstown pen, Johnstown I Like, from Chris Johnston, Co Tyrone. By the home-bred Johnstown Gunner, out of imported ewe Dixie Chick 2, it sold to an undisclosed buyer.
Female and overall champion at Carlisle, Back Tor High Class, from Jack and Steph Simpson, Stoney Middleton, Derbyshire, sold for 4,000gns. This one, by Tiptop Gadzooks out of Back Tor Grahams Girl, sold to Messrs Thompson, Yeovil.
Another 4,000gns bid secured the first prize ewe lamb from Lockerbie, another from the Johnstown pen – Johnstown Indie. Among the first crop by the new stock ram Milltown Hotshot, and out of Johnstown Fizz, it sold to Messrs Corbett, Highleadon, Gloucester.
In the ram section, it was an 8,000gns call at Carlisle that led the bidding. This was for the male champion, Back Tor High and Mighty, a shearling ram from Messrs Simpson. The same-way-bred as their female champion, it was knocked down in a four-way split to Messrs Jewitt, Barnard Castle; Messrs Nelson, Ballymena; Messrs Johnston, Antrim; and Cannon Hall Farms, Yorkshire.
Making 2,800gns and leading the ram lambs was the reserve overall champion at Lockerbie, Elite Ignition from Lara Reid, Mouswald, Dumfries. By 9,000gns Diamond Freaky Freddie, out of a Hazelberry dam, it sold to Messrs Greig and Daughters, Wilderley, Shropshire.
At 2,100gns was Drumard Hugo D, a second prize shearling ram from Nick Brown, Irthington, and Messrs Simpson. This one, by Mourneview Goliath, sold to Messrs Jones, Dolwen, Abergele.
Averages - 1 aged ram, £420; 27 shearling rams, £977.77; 36 ram lambs, £755; 3 aged ewes, £433.33; 65 shearling gimmers, £645.69; 50 ewe lambs, £1,100.40.
Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.
High of 10,000gns for Blue Texels
A 10,000gns bid led the Blue Texel Society's Northern Supreme show and sale, split between Carlisle and Lockerbie marts this year because of bluetongue restrictions.
Sale leader was a Caryl's ram lamb from Caryl Howells, Llanddeusant, this being the pre-sale overall champion, Caryl's Blues King of the Ring, a home-bred Blues Dazzler son out of Blues Elizabeth which sold in a half-share to Messrs Gray, Selkirk, and Westwood Park Farm, Leominster, at Lockerbie.
Making 8,000gns at Lockerbie was first prize shearling ram Saltire Blue Jammy Dodger from Stasa Moyse, Skene.
This one by Brutey's Blues Fred, out of Saltire Blue Freestyle, sold to Messrs Lee, Kidwelly.
Ram lamb Beili Blues Kick-Ass, from D.L. and B.W.H. Jones, Llanllwni, made 7,000gns. Messrs Davies, Caersws, were the buyers of this Ettrick Firefly son out of a Hackney dam.
Messrs Lee also paid 6,500gns for Quarry View King Kong, a ram lamb by Drumard Ed, out of Solway View Heart, from Alison Oare, Brynford,
A 6,000gns call led the bidding in Carlisle for Coniston Karate Kid, a ram lamb from Jennifer Aiken, Wennington.
This one by Trisant Godfather, out of imported ewe Coniston, sold in a half-share to Messrs Hunter, Insch, and Messrs Rhind and Son, Kinloss.
In the female section, it was a shearling ewe which topped the bids at 4,200gns.
This was for the Carlisle overall champion Westwood Jazzy II, a Titanium Golden Balls daughter, out of a Westwood dam from N. Legge, Hatfield. It sold to Messrs Innes and Sons, Aberdeen.
Back in Lockerbie and M. and A. Jones, Ynys, sold their shearling ewe Glan-Y-Mor J-lo for 3,500gns. This one by home-bred Hamburglar and out of an imported Sunnybank ewe sold to Messrs Wood, Westhill.
Averages - 60 shearling rams, £1,361.50; 79 ram lambs, £1,637.46; 110 shearling gimmers, £895.45; 26 ewe lambs, £866.25.
Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.
Beltex Beauties sell to 6,500gns
Bidding topped at 6,500gns at the Beltex Beauties sale at Lockerbie.
The sale leader came from the Lurg pen of Miller Farms, Inverurie, with the top bid going to Lurg Keep One Eye Open, a shearling gimmer by Mid Shawtonhill Gypsy King, out of Sinclair's Daisy, which sold to Messrs Wattie, Alford.
Another shearling gimmer from the same home, Lurg Keep Sake made 5,500gns. This one by Smart Ass Jackpot, out of Lurg Hiccup, sold to Messrs Hutchinson and Son, Kirkby Stephen.
Another 5,500gns bid secured Kingledores Katelyn, a shearling gimmer from Richard Wood, Biggar. This one by Todhall Happy Feet, out of home-bred Flore, sold to Messrs Roberts, Shrewsbury.
Woodies Love To Dance, a ewe lamb from Stuart Wood's Woodies consignment, Westhill, made 4,600gns.
By the 10,000gns Mellor Vale King Kong, out of Kingledores Felicity, it sold in a half share to Messrs Roberts and Messrs Dodd, Lockerbie.
A shearling gimmer from the Woodies pen, Woodies Kiss My Butt, made 3,000gns. This Heatheryhall Jumanji daughter, out of a Schillewaert imported dam, sold to Messrs Boden, Stockport.
Averages - Ettrick - 5 gimmers, £1,386; Airyolland – 4 gimmers, £1,110; Lurg - 7 gimmers, £3,180; 1 ewe lamb, £2,100; Faughhill - 3 gimmers, £1,295; 1 ewe lamb, £1,050; Woodies - 8 gimmers, £1,312.50; 4 ewe lambs, £2,415; Logie Durno - 7 gimmers, £697.50; Kingledores - 23 gimmers, £1458.58.
Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.
King Kong tops Welshpool Beltex
Strong trade saw a 93% clearance at the Beltex Welsh Premier sale at Welshpool on behalf of the Welsh Beltex Club, with shearling rams leading the way at 6,500gns.
Topping the trade was Pager King Kong, a shearling ram from the Pager flock of Tippetts and Jones, Shropshire. March 2024-born by Buckles Fury and out of Mortons Glory, it was knocked down to J.R. Joseph, Lloyney, Powys.
Next at 3,000gns was Myna Kyson, from the Evans family, Anglesey. By Lurg Harriss Gin and out of Myna Gabby, it sold to D. Morris, Bangor.
Close behind at 2,700gns from Aled Roberts, Denbigh, was Greenvale Kayden, a March 2024-born shearling ram by Hackney Judge and out of Greenvale Hillary which sold to E.H. Pennie and Son, Gwern-yr-ychain, Powys.
Aged rams topped at 2,700gns for 2023-born Pager Hackney Jonesy, bred by Messrs Tippetts. By Ardstewart Fred Flintstone and out of Hackney Ghost, it sold to J.T. Rowlands, Anglesey.
Females peaked at 2,600gns for Gyffin Kalani, a shearling ewe from E.C.L. Lewis' Gyffin flock, Conwy. By Lipley Hercules out of Gyffin Echo, it sold to R.V. and G.E. Jones, Wrexham.
Averages - 22 shearling ewes, £785.11; 106 shearling rams, £1,206.11; 10 ram lambs, £624.75; 2 aged rams, £2,362.50.
Auctioneers: Welshpool Livestock Sales.
Badger Face Texels sell to 4,000gns
The Badger Face Texel Sheep Society sales held between Lockerbie and Carlisle topped at 4,000gns for Silvermere Going for Gold, the third-prize-winning ram lamb from Lockerbie. By Powerful out of Silvermere Deadly Nightshade and consigned by Michelle Hanson, Keith, it sold to Messrs Morrison, Girvan.
Next at 3,500gns was Knockmult Foden by a Duhonw sire, the second prize shearling ram at Lockerbie from Michael James, Builth Wells, and bred by Russell Millen and Seamus Killen. It sold in the two-way split to Messrs Smith, Eaglesfield, and Messrs Braid, Moffat.
The winning ram lamb from Carlisle, High Ploughlands G-Dawg, another son of Knockmult Foden, this time from Hannah Pedley, Kirkby Stephen, made 2,500gns to Messrs Townson, Bradford.
Females topped at 2,000gns for the first prize shearling gimmer at Carlisle from Richard and Jade Bett's Yarburgh flock, Lincolnshire. The daughter of Cleenagh Congo out of Woodies Delight sold to Messrs Watson, Beckside, Cumbria.
Averages - 2 aged ewes, £490; 14 shearling gimmers, £787.14; 12 ewe lambs, £617.50; 7 shearling rams, £1,088.57; 16 ram lambs, £1,106.25.
Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.
Gadget leads Texel Welshpool trade at 2,000gns
Robert Cockburn's Knap flock, Crieff, led the trade at the Texel Sheep Society's Welsh National Sale in Welshpool, taking the top bids in both the ram and female sections.
His ram lamb, Knap Inspector Gadget, led the males and the day's trade at 2,000gns. By Duncryne Hakuna Matata and out of a dam by Haddo Falcon, it was bought by D.G. and E.M. Clarke, Caersws, Newtown.
A 1,800gns call secured Thornbury Ice Cube from Nick Legge's Thornbury flock, Hatfield. This one by Mellor Vale Huntsman and out of a Plasucha-bred dam by Sportsmans Express sold to Tom Evans, for the Welsh flock, Carmarthenshire.
A select entry of gimmers topped at 1,900gns for a Knap gimmer from Messrs Cockburn. By Dundas Evolution and out of a dam by Sportsmans Cannon Ball, it sold to A.J.I. and M.D. James, Llanfyrnach, Pembrokeshire.
At 1,500gns was a Sportsmans gimmer from Messrs Boden and Davies, Stockport. This was a Knap General Lee daughter, out of a dam by Haymount Fan Dabi Dozi, which also went home with buyers of the top price, Messrs Clark.
Averages - 20 ram lambs, £803.51; 16 gimmers £933.84.
Auctioneers: Welshpool Livestock Sales.
Cheviot Mule averages up on the year
The annual show sale of Cheviot Mules, ordinarily at Longtown, was this year split between Longtown and Dumfries marts because of bluetongue restrictions.
The first sale was held at Dumfries, with averages up across the board and Cheviot Mule gimmer shearlings the trade of the day – up £38 on the year at £293.
Topping the sale were Robert and Hazel McNee, Dundee, selling a pen of 20 gimmer shearlings at £390 a head. Another pen from the same home reached £370, with the couple selling 192 gimmers to average £344.
Peter, Vicky and William Hedley, Swinside, took the top bid in the Cheviot Mule ewe lamb bidding, selling a pen of 20 at £325, with their top six pens selling above £300. Running lambs met some resistance which auctioneers put down to the lack of grass in southern counties, which in turn left running lambs slightly harder to place than stronger tupping types.
In Longtown, Cheviot Mule shearlings topped at £320 for a pen of five from Messrs Beard, Dormanstead, with Cheviot Mule ewe lambs from the same home topping at £250 with the run of 115 averaging £207.
Averages - Cheviot Mule gimmer shearlings, £293 (+£38 on 2024); Texel cross Cheviot Mule shearlings, £288 (+£4); Suffolk cross Cheviot Mule shearlings, £286 (+£20); half-bred shearlings, £310 (+£60); Cheviot Mule ewe lambs, £188 (+£11); Texel cross Cheviot Mule ewe lambs, £173 (+£19); Suffolk cross Cheviot Mule ewe lambs, £190 (+£29); half-bred ewe lambs, £189.
Auctioneers: C. and D. Auction Marts.
Charollais to 1,200gns
A swathe of sheep society sales took place at Lockerbie and Carlisle marts over the weekend, split this year because of bluetongue restrictions.
These included the Charollais Society show and sale where bidding topped at 1,200gns for a shearling ram.
Sale leader was Raughton Head-based breeder, J. Wales', February 2024-born shearling ram Thackwood Catch Me If You Can, by Gorteen Blockbuster. It sold to Messrs Thornley, Leicester.
Another December 2023-born Thackwood shearling ram sold for 1,000gns. This one by Thackwood Bangkok sold to Messrs Maw and Son, Hexham.
The Thackwood consignment also topped the female trade at 860gns, selling a pen of four empty shearling ewes to Messrs Snart, Wye, Kent.
Ryeland
The Ryeland Flock Book Society held its Northern Breeding sale across the same two days at Lockerbie and Carlisle marts, where a 1,000gns bid led the trade.
Sale leader was the male champion, March 2024-born shearling ram Appletree Edward, from A.J. Robinson, Wigton. By Chase Austin, out of an Appletree dam, it sold to Messrs Brownrigg, Wigton.
Caitlin Brownrigg, Southwaite, sold Street Head Fantastic, a ram lamb by Grassknop Captain for 900gns. It went home with Messrs Hunter Blair, Castle Douglas.
Two lots sold for 500gns. The first was Lockerbie-based S.J. Bryden's shearling ram, Broomwell Enzo Ferrari, a Red Sewell Zuperman son, which sold to Messrs Arthur, Lanark.
At the same money was the female champion, a Hawthorns shearling ewe from Messrs Robinson. This one by Hawthorns Brown sold to Messrs Goulsbra, Louth.
Coloured Ryelands topped at 650gns twice, firstly for a shearling ewe from Michele Varmen's Snelson-based flock. By Snelson Vineapola, it sold to Messrs Blezard, Lancaster.
Messrs Brownrigg sold her ram lamb Street Head Fearless, by Grassknop Captain, at the same money to Messrs Tyler, Thrisk.
Berrichon
The British Berrichon Society held its national sale on the same day in Carlisle, where bidding reached 800gns for Yarburgh Boom Box, a ram lamb from Yarburgh Pedigrees, Louth. Home-bred by Yarburgh Wright and out of Yarburgh Zoe, it sold to Messrs Barbour, Sanquhar, Dumfriesshire.
Whenby, York-based D. Whitcher sold their December 2023-born shearling ram, Galtres Admiral, for 600gns. This one by Arn Gill Yaki Da, out of a Galtres-dam was bought by Messrs Carter, Co Durham.
Averages - Charollais - 8 aged and shearling rams, £925.31; 9 ram lambs, £516.83; 22 females (pens), £602.79. Coloured Ryeland - 12 aged ewes, £127.66; 25 shearling gimmers, £329.70; 14 ewe lambs, £283.50; 2 aged rams, £168; 10 shearling rams, £364.35; 7 ram lambs, £352.50. Ryeland - 5 aged ewes, £231; 6 shearling gimmers, £187.25; 5 ewe lambs, £336; 1 aged ram, £315; 6 shearling rams, £442.74; 6 ram lambs, £399. Berrichons - 7 shearling rams, £486; 7 ram lambs, £465.
Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington
Dorpers sell to 1,200gns twice
Included in a number of sheep society sales at Carlisle and Lockerbie marts this week was the Dorper Society show and sale which included the Knotlow Flock reduction on behalf of J.S. and M. Holinrake, Buxton, Derbyshire.
Bidding topped at 1,200gns twice, with the first at this price being Messrs Hollinrake's February 2023-born ram, Knotlow Kudos. This one by Dell Dorpers Dice, out of Knotlow Irene, sold to Messrs Nelson, Castle Douglas.
The second 1,200gns bid came for a ram lamb from the same home, Knotlow Marley. A Dell Ninja son, out of Knotlow Gabi, it sold to Messrs Birch, Bakewell.
Knotlow Mighty, another ram lamb from the same pen, made 1,000gns. This one by Belowrie Bentley sold to Messrs Du Toit, Sandy, Bedfordshire.
Dorsets
The Dorset Horn and Poll Dorset Society and Scottish Club show and sales were also held across Lockerbie and Carlisle marts, where the trade topped at 1,700gns in the female section.
Sale leader was Sandy Lane ewe lamb from Sam Driver, Derbyshire, which had been shown successfully in 2025. By Hydes Gaucho and out of a home-bred Sandy Lane dam, it sold to Messrs Steff, Burnley.
The same buyers paid 1,400gns for a shearling ewe from the same home, this one being a Downkillybegs Flintoff daughter.
In the male bidding, Messrs Gray, Selkirk, paid 780gns for Stobilee Highlander, a ram lamb by Richhill Extrovert from Robbie and Alistair Morton, Lanark.
Oxford Down
In the Oxford Down Society show and sale at Carlisle, sale leader at 450gns was a Langrigg shearling ram from A.W. Rutherford, Gretna, which stood overall champion in the pre-sale show. This one by Billesdons Braveheart, out of a home-bred Langrigg dam, sold to Messrs Etherington, Pocklington.
The reserve champion, a Langrigg ram lamb from the same home, made 360gns. A Pauntley Raphael son out of a home-bred dam sold to Messrs Tranter, Barnard Castle.
A ram lamb from Messrs Driver, Sandy Lane Hitman, sold for 650gns to Messrs Forster and Partners, Morpeth.
Averages - Dorper MV accredited - 39 shearling gimmers, £453.11; 1 aged ram, £1,260; 9 ram lambs £624.16; non-MV accredited - 2 aged ewes £383.25; 1 ewe lamb £367.50; 1 aged ram £472.50. Dorsets - 6 shearling gimmers, £591.50; 13 ewe lambs, £520.15; 17 pens of females, £177.75; 3 ram lambs £675.50. Oxford Down - 7 shearling gimmers, £207; 5 ewe lambs, £291.90; 2 aged rams £236.25; 3 shearling rams £339.50, 1 ram lamb £378.
Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.
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