The sale topper came late on the second day when small breeder Eric Coates, who runs around 60 ewes alongside his brother's flock at Aygill in Swaledale, came into the ring. This unshown tup, by the home-bred Aygill Commander and out of a ewe by the £39,000 Stonesdale Ingot, was knocked down at £46,000, selling in a four way split to WM Hutchinson, Redgate, R Harrison, Tailbert, W Dinsdale, Harkerside and N Richardson, Fernyford.
The Bull and Cave flock enjoyed another great day when selling their Bull and Cave Commander, which stood champion at the pre-sale show, for £39,000 to Alan Coates, Aygill, with Mark Nelson retaining a half share. This one is by the £45,000 Butt Rigg Limelight, a son of Aygill Commander, and out of a ewe by a Syd Reynoldson tup.
Close behind on £38,000 from Tom Robinson was Catlow Buttrigg 1, another grandson of Aygill Commander and out of a ewe by a £21,000 Stonesdale tup. This third placed tup caught the eye early on and sold in a three way split, to Peter Lightfoot, Eric Wear and Keith Ireland.
See this week's The Scottish Farmer for full report and pictures of the leading prices, out October 27.
