AN in-lamb female from Patrick and Kirsty Sowerby, Oakbank, Barras, set a new breed record price for a gimmer, when she sold for £7000 at last week's show and sale of crowned Swaledale females at Kirkby Stephen.

The entry from the couple's 300-ewe flock was placed at Moorcock Show and stood reserve champion at the pre-sale show. Backed by some of the best genetics in the business, she is by a £17,000 John Porter tup shared with John Bland, that has bred sons to £40,000 for him and several at £5000, £6000 and £7000, for Oakbank. This home-bred gimmer sold due to a £7000 Bull and Cave sire bought last year to John Tully, Burncroft, Eggleston.

The champion, a two-shear ewe from A and M Skidmore, Flakebridge, Tebay, made £2300 selling to Messrs Lightfoot, Gillside Farm, Glenridding. This cracker is by Fusilier, a home-bred tup retained for breeding, and sold scanned for a pair to Herbie – a tup bred by Patrick Morris Eyton, Hallbeck, of which a half share was purchased privately.

Mr Morris Eyton from Whicham, Millom, also enjoyed a good day, selling the second top priced lot at £3800. This was a home-bred ewe by a home-bred sire bred from an Aygill draft ewe. Overall champion at Mungrisdale, first at Tanhill as a ewe hogg and reserve at High Force as a gimmer, she changed hands carrying a pair to Hellbeck President. Forking out the big bid for this entry were WA and A Booth, Feizor, Lancs.

Second top amongst the ewes at £2500 was Stanley and Pat Brogden and son Thomas' three-crop ewe from Hellbeck, Brough, purchased by John Tunstall, Prospect House... The breeding behind this big bid includes Kisdon Gorgeous – a £30,000 purchase at Hawes in partnership with Ghyll House and Haltcliffe – onto a ewe by Butteriggs Goldenballs. She sold due to a Stephen Clarkson-bred tup that sold to Ian Collins and carrying a pair.

A good trade throughout saw the entry of 59 females sell to average £936.10 (+£249.63 on the year). Gimmers levelled at £1111.43, with ewes at £880.00 and ewe hoggs at £566.67.

LEADINGprices

Gimmers – £7000 Oakbank Farm; £1400 South Wellhope; £1400 Flakebridge Farm; £1100 Hallbeck; £750 Lainger House; £700 Billing Shield Farm.

Ewes – £3800 Hallbeck; £2500, £800 Helbeck Farm; £2300, £2000, £1000 Flakebridge Farm; £1400 Crowden House; £900 Town End Farm; £750 Stoneriggs.

Ewe hoggs – £800, £500 Mount Pleasant Farm; £400 Lainger House.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.