A BUOYANT trade was evident at the Northern Stars Texel in-lamb gimmer sale staged at Ballymena Livestock Market, where averages improved on the year, having cashed in at £1463.27 for 11 more, up £303.57.
A top price of 11,000gns was paid for a gimmer which sold to Scotland with Alan Blackwood, Auldhouseburn having come from Roger Strawbridge and family, Tamnamoney. A Sportsmans Dare Devil daughter out of a dam by Procters Cocktail, she sold in-lamb to the 100,000gns Strathbogie Gypsy King.
On the flip side, Alan Blackwood took 6800gns from Rob Evans, Hope Valley. By the home-bred 100,000gns Auldhouseburn Expression, she is out of a Sportsmans-bred ewe by Garngour Alabama and sold in-lamb to Hope Valley Golden Balls.
A full sister to this then made 6200gns, when the hammer fell to Ashley Dickson, Lonicera, having sold in lamb to Lylehill GTR.
Auldhouseburn gimmers then took the next three top prices, with the first going at 6500gns to the McCollam family, Carmavy. Another by the same sire, she is out of a Haddo-bred ewe by Allanfauld Am The Man. Adding to her future potential she is in-lamb with twins to the 90,000gns Hilltop Goliath.
Next best at 5800gns was another Expression daughter, this one bred from a Rhaeader Best of the Best-sired dam and sold carrying to the 16,000gns Scholars Governor. Buying this one was Alan Glendinning, Lylehill.
Rob Evans then bought another at 4500gns. A Seaforde Empire King daughter, she is out of a dam by Sportmans A Star and in-lamb to Hope Valley Golden Balls. Another Auldhouseburn gimmer then made 3000gns when the hammer fell to Michael Quinn. Again sired by Expression, she is out of a Knap Vicious Sid-sired ewe, and in-lamb to Haymount Fan Dabi Dozi.
Next in the trade stakes was a Forkins gimmer from Alastair Gault at 3000gns. A daughter of Castlecairn Doodlebug, she is out of a Clarks Bolt daughter and sold carrying twins to the 100,000gns Strathbogie Gypsy King. She was the pick of Leonard Linton, Bregagh.
Auctioneers: Ballymena Livestock Market.
Averages: 78 gimmers, £1463.27
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