IT was the champion and reserve entries that led the Border Leicester female sale at Carlisle on Monday when they sold for 1200gns and 1100gns, respectively, and, notably, both were knocked down to the same buyer.

Claiming the championship was a ewe from David and Ian Walker's Alticane flock at Laigh Alticane, Pinwherry, Girvan. Sired by Eildon Merrick and out of a Knockglass Cruiser daughter, she sold carrying a pair by Meidrim Mighty to F and F Farms, Piper Hole, Ravenstonedale, Kirkby Stephen.

The reserve, a gimmer from Neil Howie, North Lyhan, Chatton, sold to the same buyer for 1100gns. This lass, which ran with Lammermuir Moonshine, is by Alticane Dakota and out of a ewe by Eildon The Hirsel.

Neil sold another two gimmers for 650gns apiece with the first, by Eildon The Hirsel and out of a Deuchrie Jewel daughter, selling to Bronwen Tango, 4 Old Market Street, Usk. She ran with Clola El Clasico.

The other Lyham gimmer, which was of the same breeding as the reserve champion and also ran with the Moonshine ram, sold to D Harrison, The Plough, Kendal.

Earlier on in the sale, D Harrison forked out 1000gns for a Ditton Dictator-sired ewe from Mrs Shona Ker, Justinlees, Annan. Scanned with three to Mearns Maverick, she is out of a Hill Justin-bred dam.

Father and son duo, Sandy and Alex Watson, received 900gns and 800gns for two gimmers from their Intock flock at Culticheldoch, Muthill, Crieff. Dearest when sold to F and F Farms was an Eildon Roby Roy daughter bred from an Eildon Eager dam, which changed hands scanned with a single to Drennan's Dazzler.

Selling to Christine Williams and Paul Tippetts, of Lodge Hill Farm, Park Lane, Shifnal, for 800gns, was a Drennan's Dalwhinnie-sired Intock gimmer bred from an Eildon Rob Roy daughter. She also ran with Drennan's Dazzler and sold scanned with one.

Another to sell for 650gns was the second prize ewe hogg from Tom Tennant, Gilmanscleugh, Ettrick. Selling to John Lamb, of Shepherds Cottage, Bairnkine, Jedburgh, she is out of a Didcot Dylan Thomas daughter and sired by Alticane Uncle Mo.

Averages: 14 in-lamb ewes and gimmers, £729.00; 15 empty ewe hoggs, £448.70.