MOFFAT-BASED hill sheep farmer, Neil Manning, Earlshaugh, made his presence felt at Skipton Auction Mart’s summer sale of working sheep dogs, last week, buying the top priced lot at 7200gns.
Selling at this was Nell, an Irish two-year-old tri-coloured bitch from Shaun Richards, who runs Pen-y-Borough Sheep Dogs in Eldroth, near Settle. She is by the multiple trials winner, Knockmaa Jack, from Michael Hynes in Belclare, Co Galway, and out of David Nevin’s Jan.
Welsh triallist Kevin Evans, of Penclyn, Brecon, was also in the money, with two dogs making £7875. Dearest at 4100gns was his two-year-old black and white bitch Nel, bred in Wales being by Ifan Jones’ Carlo, out of Alan Jones’ Mona. Jock Sutherland, who farms at Sangomore, near Durness, was the last man in. 
Mr Evans, who soon after the sale was due to compete in this year’s Welsh National with a brace, then took 3400gns for his January 2015-born, black and white bitch Sheba (Sky), acquired in Ireland. She is by FMC McGuigan’s Fleet, out of John Kinney’s Jan and was knocked down to David and Victoria Hill, of Whitewall Farm, Great Asby, Appleby.
Another Nel made 4000gns selling to Joe McRoberts, Cheviots Sheepdogs, Fingland, Biggar. This rising two-year-old black and white bitch consigned by Brian Quiqley, Culmore, Derry, has already been placed in nursery trials. Bred in Creggan, Ireland, by James McGee, she is by Seth, and out of Mr Quigley’s own Cindy.

By the end of the day, the record entry of 142 dogs saw broken registered dogs sell to 3900gns to average £1655; registered bitches peak at 7200gns to level at £2336. Unregistered dogs hit 1200gns to average £925 and unregistered bitches peaked at 1600gns to balance out at £1365. 

See this week's issue of The Scottish Farmer for more of the report from the Skipton dog sale.