THERE was a near 100% clearance as 63 of the 64 lots forward found new homes at the inaugural sale Derbyshire Diamonds sale of Texel females, where the champion went on to top the sale at 3000gns. 

That was a ewe hogg from Ben Vernon's Charben flock in the shape of an ET by Sportsmans Wild thing out of a ewe by Stainton Vigilante. She heads to a new home near Newcastle Under Lyme with Eamon Vaughan.

Mr Vernon's entry proved popular as he sold another ewe hogg at 900gns as well as two recipients carrying embryos for 960gns and 900gns. Forking out 900gns for the Charben hogg was A Jones, Braddey Howell, who takes home a Sportsmans Wild Thing daughter bred from a dam by Tullylaggan Tonka. 

The embryos, which were both by Garngour Alabama and sold to Mike Turner, Okeover, saw the dearer bred from a Mellor Vale Wildcat-sired ewe which goes back to Baltier Panther, while the latter was bred from a Glenside Valhalla daughter. 

The Boden family celebrated a good day when they received the second top price of 1280gns for a gimmer from their Sportsmans pen. Selling to Ulmas Farm, Washingley, Peterborough, she is by Mellow Vale Wildcat, out of a Tullylaggan Tonka daughter and sold in lamb to Clinterty Yogi Bear. 

Following at 1220gns when sold to J Hayward, Battersby, was an Ebred Strathbogie gimmer by Strathbogie Whiplash out of a Cairnam Talisman daughter. She traded in lamb to Teiglum Younggun. 

Matching a previous 1220gns price tag was the dearest entry from the Procters Farm team from Lancashire, in the shape of a Teiglum Younggun-sired ewe hogg. Bred from a Llyfni Usain Bolt daughter, she heads to Northern Ireland with PG Blee, Donemana.

Procters sold another gimmer of different breeding to PW and HC THomas, Ammanford, for 1150gns. Served by Teiglum Younggun, she is by Llangwm Wario and out of a Sportsmans Scania ewe. 

Averages: 37 gimmers, £491.40; seven ewe lambs, £1044.75; five aged ewes, £573.30.
Auctioneers: Leek Auctions