Hampshire Down ram lambs commanded a strong trade, achieving a new record of £1320 at the breed association’s official show and sale in Stratford, last weekend.

Sale leader was a six-month-old ram lamb by Yarcombe Sovereign and out of a home-bred ewe by Yarcombe Brave – the breed’s highest SRS indexed ram for 2005. This lamb, which is within the breed’s top 1%, with a Terminal Sire Index of 291, was bred and exhibited by Derryman family – Henry, Hilary and sons – Yarcombe, Honiton, and went to join Alymer Power’s 10-ewe flock at Askerton, Limerick.

The day’s second highest call of £1180 came from Messrs Atkinson and Smith, Kelsey, Market Rasen, for a ram lamb with a TSI of 288, by Yarcombe Hussar and out of a home-bred ewe from Charles and Sally Horrell, Thorney, Peterborough. Another Hussar-sired ram lamb from the same vendors made £560 to Paul and Tracy Rea, Edmonton, Wadebridge.

The Derryman family went on to sell five more six-month-old ram lambs, to average £705, including the Devon County champion with a TSI of 306, by Wattisfield Topper and out of a home-bred ewe by Owslebury Rapier. Earlier on judge, Kevin McCarthy, Comber, County Down commended the lamb for his ‘tremendous conformation and length and depth of gigot’ and awarded him the day’s supreme championship, after which he backed his judgment by securing him for £940.

Averages: 18 ram lambs, £542; 12 gimmers, £322; 11 ewe lambs £274.

See full report and picture in this week’s issue, out June 5.