averages: shearling rams, £475; ram lambs, £470; shearling ewes, £483; ewe lambs, £367

A NEW record for a Hampshire Down has been achieved at the breed's Scottish Premier show and sale held at United Auctions' Stirling centre, when a ram lamb from McFarlane and Rennie of the Lecropt flock at Bridge of Allan, sold for 1200gns.

The lamb, which is in the top 1% for breed index and gigot muscularity, is by the flock's new stock tup, Kelsey Fantastic and sold to Fife breeder, Rob Dewey of the Lathockar flock in Fife.

Next best was the overall champion, a ewe lamb from Janet and Brian Hill's Isle of Bute flock which topped the female trade at 800gns when it sold south of the border to Stephanie Percival, Staffordshire. By Yarcombe Pythagoras, this rising star's dam goes back to Graylen D'artagnan – the same grand-sire as the leading male.

Commercial interest was evident around the ring as shearling rams sold to 700gns for one from Messrs McCarthy, Northern Ireland, when snapped up by Finlay Macaskill, Tullich, Glenlochay, Killin, while the reserve champion, a gimmer from last year's show and sale leaders, D Middlecitch and Son of the St Paul Flock at Suffolk, made 650gns. She sold to North Yorkshire with John Craig, Lumb, Settle.

Another gimmer from the same home made 500gns when sold to young pedigree breeder, Bruce Steel, Thornhill, Stirling.