Texels proved the pick of the trade at the Winter Warmer pedigree in-lamb sale of ewes and dry ewe lambs at Newark, attracting the majority of top prices including the sale lead at 3800gns.

The event, which saw six breeds forward and resulted in a 93% clearance for the 254 sheep forward, was led by a 3800gns bid for the pre-sale champion from Charlie Boden's Mellor Vale flock from Stockport. A daughter of Strathbogie Whiplash, out of a dam by Milnbank Special One, she sold due to the 70,000gns Teiglum Young Gun. The buyers were Andrew and Becky Bishop, Eldersfield, Gloucestershire.

Another from the same stable and by the same sire made 1400gns selling to Paul Castle, Washingley, Peterborough. She also changed hands served to Young Gun.

Gordon and David Gray's Ettrick flock from Selkirk, was again in the frame, with two selling at 1800gns and another at 1300gns. First to make 1800gns was an ET bred gimmer by Shannagh Won-O-Won, out of a dam by Sportsmans Unimog. She sold in lamb to the 60,000gns Clinterty Yuga Khan, to Tom Williams, Felton, Bristol.

Scottish breeder, David Morrison, Dalwyne, Barr, Girvan, bought the second, a Douganhill Vital Spark daughter out of a dam by Glue Gates Top Gun. She also sold due to Clinterty Yuga Khan.

Later, an Ellen Valley Warlord daughter due to the 17,000gns Usk Vale Albatross, made 1300gns to James Theyer, Little Clanfield, Oxfordshire.

Ewe lambs led the Beltex section when Claire Harrison, Rugby, received 1800gns, for Clarison Crystal, a Dooley Amazing daughter out of the imported dam, Regente Du Mont Des Alouettes. JML Farming, Thame, Oxfordshire, were the final bidders

At 1700gns was the breed champion from the same pen. Clarison Clodagh, again by Dooley Amazing, is out of another imported dam, Quira Du Mont Des Alouettes and was bought by the pre-sale judge, Matt Prince, Chesterfield.

In lamb Beltex females peaked at 1300gns for a gimmer from Andrew and Becky Bishop, purchased by Rosie Boden, Mellor Vale, Stockport. Her purchase is by The Bulldog and changed hands in lamb to Woodies Beyond Limits.

The dispersal of Harry and Jake Pamplin’s Midnight flock, from Northants, topped the Blue Texels with an 1800gns call given for Midnight YumYum, a 2014-born ewe bred from a Shearstone ewe. She changed hands due to a Millside sire to Messrs Comer, Leigh, Swindon.

Other ewes from the flock made 1600gns, 1500gns and 1300gns three times. Dearest was Midnight Willow, a 2013-born ewe bred the same way as the last and again in lamb to the Millside sire. She was bought by Giles Hardman, Low Bands, Gloucestershire.

At 1500gns was a Buteland-bred gimmer by Rattrays Yogi in lamb to the Millside tup. She was taken by Messrs Partridge, Kersey, Ipswich.

Suffolks sold to 600gns for a gimmer from Messrs Hallam and Eggleston’s Seagrave flock, with Charollais peaking at the same money for a gimmer from Geoff Biddulph.

Bleu Du Maines hit a top of 550gns for a ewe lamb from Jonathan McInnes Skinner.

Averages: Texels – Five senior ewes £556.50; 65 gimmers, £658.27; 22 ewe lambs £206.18. Beltex – Six senior ewes £586.25; seven gimmers £712.50; 15 ewe lambs £710.50. Blue Texels – 10 senior ewes £1113; eight gimmers £905.63; seven ewe lambs £832.50. Suffolks – 11 senior ewes £320.73, nine gimmers £416.50; 12 ewe lambs £233.10. Charollais – Four senior ewes £294, eight gimmers £426.56; three ewe lambs £262. Bleu Du Maines – Three ewe lambs, £542.50.

Auctioneers: Newark Auction Sales.