Despite top prices of 125,000gns,75,000gns and increased averages, a shortage of available cash saw a poor commercial trade with 90 fewer lambs sold compared to the 2017 sale and a 66% clearance.

While averages rose by more than £700 per head, only 325 lambs from the 492 forward for sale found new homes. What is more, outwith the real breeders' sheep, it was hard going for both vendors and the auctioneers.

"It was far better show of Texels with more bigger, stronger breeders' lambs to chose from, but there was no commercial trade," said Archie Hamilton, new sheep auctioneer at Lawrie and Symington, who sold half of the lambs.

"Commercial producers have sold fewer lambs this year because of the late spring and dry summer. On top of that, prime lamb values are back 15p per kg on 2017, so there really is not the money about to buy stock tups only to hold on to them for a couple of months. There are plenty of sales later on," he added.

It was a point echoed by Texel Sheep Society chief executive John Yates, too.

“Breeders were again looking to invest in the breed to further their businesses. However, there is no doubt costs incurred during the hard spring and expected to be incurred in the upcoming winter were on the minds of commercial buyers who were more reluctant with their spending.

“This reflects the trade seen at a number of early sales across the country and undoubtedly that, and the uncertainty surrounding future trade deals post-Brexit, were playing on the minds of commercial buyers.”

By the end of an extremely long day, some 20 tup lambs had sold at or above the five-figure bracket which compares to last year's event which saw a lead price of 130,000gns for the best from Charlie Boden's Sportsmans flock and another 13 at 10,000gns and above.

While the bottom end struggled to find new homes, selling the cream of the crop was in fact a dawdle with Welsh breeder, Myfyr Evans' Rhaeadr Best of the Best, certainly living up to his name when he sold for the top price of 125,000gns.

Producing a personal best for this 20-ewe flock which runs alongside Mr Evans and son Ian's better known Rhaeadr Suffolk unit that has bred tup lambs to 70,000gns and 40-ewe Charollais ewes, was a son of the 70,000gns Teiglum Younggun – a sire bred by the Clarks from North Garngour, which also bred the 130,000gns Sportsmans You're A Winner, sold here last year. Notably, this is the fourth consecutive year that the Clarks who run the Teiglum, Garngour and Clarks flocks had produced the sire of the top priced lamb at the Scottish National.

There were some top genetics on the dam's side of the Rhaeadr lamb too, as she was bought for 12,000gns as a gimmer at the Select Seven sale in 2016 from Hugh and Alan Blackwood, Auldhouseburn, and is a daughter of the 145,000gns Knap Vicious Sid and a maternal brother to the Evans' much admired retained stock ram, Rhaeadr Ace.

Third in the novice class, this massive lamb was knocked down Hugh and Alan Blackwood, Auldhouseburn.

"That's the best and the toughest Texel lamb we've ever bought. We're just delighted to have got him as he was also the only lamb we had picked out," said Hugh.

Auldhouseburn's expanding Texel flock from Muirkirk, also enjoyed a cracking day, producing the lead average of £21,963 for six, backed up by top prices of 75,000gns, 28,000gns and 11,000gns. All lambs were sons of last year's 130,000gns Sportsmans A Winner sale leader too. The dearest, Auldhouseburn Boss, also boasts similar genetics to Rhaeadr Best of the Best, as the dam, which goes back to a Cowal ewe by Kelso Pavarotti, is not only a full ET sister to the mother of Best of the Best, but also the dam of the 17,000gns Auldhouseburn gimmer sold at the Select Seven sale last year. Buying back some of their own genetics, he sold to the Campbell brothers, Keith, Allan and Roy, based at Drimsynie, Lochgoilhead, who own the Cowal flock.

Auldhouseburn Billy The Kid then made 28,000gns to Robbie Wilson, buying for his Milnbank flock from Turriff and Robert Cockburn, of the Knap flock from Errol, Perth. Their lamb is bred from a 13,000gns Hullhouse gimmer by Garngour Vodka, that was bought in 2016.

Welsh breeders, HG and IE Williams of the Llyfni flock from Pontlyfni, then went to 11,000gns for Auldhouseburn Bozo, another by A Winner, but out of a home-bred ewe by the 24,000gns Glenside Willie Winkie, that also goes back to a different Cowal ewe bought privately by Pavarotti.

The champion winner at the pre-sale show and at the Highland Show, from William Knox and sons Graeme and Andrew, sold next at 40,000gns, for the family's 70-ewe flock from Mid Haddo, Fyvie, Turriff. This was Haddo Balvenie, a son of the 60,000gns Clinterty Yuga Khan, bred from the flock's show gimmer by Ellen Valley Warlord. He sold in a three-way split to John Elliot, Roxburgh Mains, Kelso; Ken Hodge of Greenarch Texels, Mosslane, Mobberley, Cheshire and Mike and Melanie Alford, Foxhill Farm, Devon.

Haddo, which is believed to be the only flock to have produced a tup lamb that stood champion at the Highland and the Scottish National, also produced the second prize pen of three, which included the 40,000gns lamb along with another two that made 24,000gns and 9000gns.

The former, Haddo Breadwinner, a son of the 24,000gns Allanfauld Am The Man, bred from a home-bred ewe by Strathbogie Smokey Blue, was knocked down to local breeders, Allan Campbell, Strawfrank, and James Currie, Carlinside, both Lanark and Andrew Neilson, East Brackenridge, Strathaven, with the Knox retaining a quarter share. His maternal brothers sold for 24,000gns and 4000gns lambs, while a maternal sister stood second prize ewe at the Highland last year.

The 9000gns lamb, Haddo Bright Spark, is another by Clinterty Yuga Khan and out of a Strathbogie Smokey Blue ewe that is a daughter of a Sportsmans gimmer. First prize recorded lamb at the Highland and male champion at New Deer Show, he heads north Douglas Webster, Lower Reiss, Wick; Allan Chisholm, Wester Moy, Urray, Muir of Ord; Rodney Blackhall, buying for the Sheeoch flock from Raemoir, Banchory and JC Rendall, Rowland, Holm, Orkney.

It was a long hang for those waiting for Robert Bennett's Plasucha lambs from Upper Hall, Meiford, Powys, which were sold in the last half hour of the sale, but it was certainly worth the wait for the flock, with sales of 32,000gns and 20,000gns.

Relatively new bloodlines are behind the dearest, Plasucha Big Gun, as he is by Plasucha All Star, a tup retained for breeding by Knock Yankee that was bred from the show ewe lamb in 2014, while the dam, a show gimmer last year, is by the privately purchased Kelso Wiseman. Charlie Boden, buying for the Sportsmans flock based at Stockport was the last man in on this lamb with Welsh breeder, Edward Pugh, Llydiart-Y-Neuadd, Brecon, Powys later taking a share.

Tom and Jack Arnott, Haymount, Kelso and Esmor Evans, Monfa, Mold, Flintshire, bought Mr Bennett's first lamb, Plasucha Boss Man, which stood second in the performance recorded class. He is by Mullan Awesome, a 7000gns lamb by Glenside Willie Winkie, and bred from a home-bred ewe by Knock Yankee that goes back to the 10,000gns gimmer sold at the Twilight sale at Carlisle in 2015.

Despite being first in the ring, Albert and George Howie's much talked about lamb, Knock Banker, from Stuartsfield, Peterhead, made 28,000gns selling to David McKerrow, Nochnary, Freuchie, Fife and Knap, with the Howies retaining a third share. Another by the 24,000gns Allanfauld Am The Man, he is bred from a gimmer by the 13,000gns Garngour Vintage.

Lambs from Charlie Boden's Sportsmans flock, brought out by his wife, Steph and their family of Josh, Rosie and Tom, again came up with the goods too with a 26,000gns top for Sportsmans Benchmark, a maternal brother to last year's 130,000gns Sportsmans A Star. Bred from a Cowal ewe by Cairnam Talisman that was bought at Carlisle as a gimmer, he is by Fordafourie Amalert, a 24,000gns purchase last year by Stainton You Bet. Morayshire breeder, Graham Morrison, who owns the Deveronvale flock from Inchbruich, Banff in partnership with Jim Innes, buying for his Strathbogie flock from Dunscroft, Huntly, forked out the cash for this cracker.

Helping to finance that transaction, Mr Morrison took 15,000gns for Deveronvale Braveheart, brought out by shepherd, Stuart Hunter. Champion at Keith Show and second in his class at Grantown, he is by the 15,000gns Mullan Armani, shared with Jim Innes, and bred from a full sister to last year's 50,000gns Deveronvale Ace of Diamonds, by Millar's Windbrook. Braveheart found a new home with John Leitch, who owns the Cornmore flock at Castlederg, Co Tyrone and David McCreery of the Topped flock from Lisbellaw, Enniskillen.

Armani sons also proved popular for Mr Innes' Strathbogie flock, being the sire of five of his six top priced lambs that averaged £7105 from a lead bid of 10,000gns, twice. First was Strathbogie Best Bet, the third prize lamb at the Highland Show and a half brother to this year's reserve champion at Ingliston from Mr Innes, a gimmer. He is bred from Strathbogie Untouchable daughter and sold to three Irish breeders to include S and J McCollam, (Carmavy); A Liggett (Corbo) Omagh and J Wilkinson (Ballygroogan), Cookstown.

Minutes later, Strathbogie Bees Knees, bred from a Duncryne gimmer by Milnbank Sound Investment bought at Stirling from Kerr Jarvie, made the same money selling to a bus load of Irish breeders to include Roger Strawbridge, (Tamnamoney); Sam MacAuley (Whitepark); Alastair Gault (Forkins); Richard Henderson (Ballynahone); Leonard Linton (Bregagh); John Green (Greenstar).

There were more top genetics behind the best from the Campbell brothers' Cowal flock, brought out by shepherd Chris Toner, when Cowal Bucking Bronco, made 22,000gns to Robbie Wilson, Milnbank and the Green family from Corskie, Fochabers, Morayshire. Fifth in the performance recorded class at the Great Yorkshire, their lamb is by Midlock Avicii, a 24,000gns purchase that was also male champion at this year's Harrogate event, while the dam a Knap-bred female by Tamnamoney Tuborg Gold, was bought at Carlisle in 2016 for 12,000gns as a gimmer.

Three lambs made 17,000gns of which two were from new breeders. First was Northern Ireland breeder, Mark Patterson's Alderview Barrister, the first prize ram lamb and reserve champion at Balmoral Show, in May and first prize lamb in the novice section at the pre-sale show, from Whitehall Farm, Nutts Corner, Crumlin, Co Antrim. A son of Arkle Awesome, he is bred from a Halbeath ewe that is a maternal sister to Halbeath VIP and by Hartside Volt. The buyers were Gordon and David Gray, buying for the Ettrick and Tima flocks at Sunnycroft, Lindean, Selkirk and Alan Cullen, Craighead, Carluke with Mr Patterson retaining a quarter share for his Alderview flock.

The long trip north from Cornwall, also proved worthwhile for veterinary nurse and first time consignor, Michelle Hanson, Bodilly Farm, Helston, when she received the same money for Silvermere Baltic. This was a son of Strathbogie Yes Sir, bred from a Milnbank ewe lamb bought privately, by Strathbogie Untouchable. Placed fifth in the novice class, Baltic was bought by Robin Orr, Halbeath, Dunfermline; George Wilkinson, Arkleby House, Aspatria, Carlisle, and the Clarks – Helen and sons, Alan, Andrew and Dye – from North Garngour, Lesmahagow.

It was the latter who sold the last of the 17,000gns lambs when Garngour Bullet, the reserve champion at the pre-sale show, was purchased by Archie and John MacGregor, Allanfauld, Kilsyth; Neil and Stuart Barclay, Harestone, Insch and Kenny Pratt, buying for his Hilltop flock based at Oldtown Farm, Peterculter, Aberdeenshire. Bred from a ewe by Castlecairn Vavavoom that has twice bred sons to 6000gns and is a grand-dam to the 40,000gns Alabama, Bullet is sired by Fordafourie Young Star, an 8000gns purchase in 2016.

The breeder of that sire, Octogenarian, Sandy Lee, who runs just six ewes at Feurdies, Memsie, Fraserburgh, was again in the money too selling Fordafourie Balvenie, for 12,000gns to Douganhill Farms, managed by Brian MacTaggart, Castle Douglas and Procters Farm, Slaidburn, Lancs, where Jeff Aiken is in charge of the Texels. A son of Fachell Victor, a bargain buy at Carlisle and the sire of the 8000gns Fordafourie Young Star, he is bred from a Deveronvale gimmer bought at Carlisle in 2016 that produced last year's 24,000gns Fordafourie Amalert.

There was more big money to come when young Charlotte and James Nicolson, Knock, Duns, received 10,500gns for Knockem Bright Spark, a March-born lamb by Midlock Ali Baa Baa – a full brother to the Midlock Avicii bought at the Ram Rendezvous Sale at Stirling for 1800gns. His dam, a Castlecairn ewe by Strathbogie Untouchable, was bought privately. Malcolm Coubrough, Hartside Farm, Lamington; Jimmy and Donald MacGregor, Dyke, Milton of Campsie and John Gilmour and son John, Humeston, Maybole, were the final bidders.

Sons of the Mullan Armani sons proved popular for Jim Innes' Strathbogie flock from Dunscroft, Huntly, with two lambs making

The last of the five-figure sales came from Roger Strawbridge's Tamnamoney flock from Coleraine, Co Londonderry, who had a cracking sale selling six lambs to average just shy of £5000. Best from this 25-ewe flock was Tamnamoney Bushtown, which made 10,000gns to Suffolk-based breeder, Stephen Cobbald, Acton Hall. Maternal brother to the 9000gns Tamnamoney Young Willie McBride, he is out of a home-bred ewe by Knock Travis and sired by Scotsman Avicii – a tup bought at the second sale at Lanark for 5000gns, last year.

Averages: 325 ram lambs, £3417.04 (+£709.35 for 89 fewer sold).

OTHERLEADING prices

Ram lambs

8200gns – J Innes and Sons' Strathbogie Buster, by Mullan Armani, to W Dunlop and Sons, Elmscleugh, Innerwick, Dunbar.

8000gns – D and S Macpherson's Hexel Born to be Wild, by Plasucha All Star, to Haddo, Hexel and Usk Vale Pedigrees, Glascoed, Pontypool, Monmouthshire; C Boden's Mellor Vale Black Jack, by Teiglum Younggun, to D Houghton (Tophill), Bury, Lancs; CH Bellis (Cosyn), Brynford, Holywell, Flints.

7800gns – Clark Farms' Teiglum Bachelor, by Knock Yardsman, to M Patterson (Alderview) and S Ferris (Leapoges), Dromore, Co Down.

7500gns – R Cockburn's Knap Bonanza, by Mullan Amigo, to B Bell (Kiltariff), Moorfield; Currie (Tullagh), Ballymena; H Gamble (Springwell), Groomsport Bangor; B Hanthorn (Mullan), Tynan, all Northern Ireland and M McMeel, Corryhill, Emyvale, Co Monaghan, Eire; G Gray's Ettrick Braw Lad, by Usk Vale Albatross, to S Lee (Fordafourie) Fraserburgh.

7000gns – D and S MacPherson's Hexel Beast from the East, by Plasucha All Star, to W McCaffrey (Scholars), Brookside, Malpas, Cheshire; MJ Ellis, (Cressage) Kilchoan, Shrewsbury; Usk Vale Pedigrees and B Vernon, (Charbon) Marston Brook, Rocester; R Strawbridge's Tamnamoney Black Gold, by Scotsman Avicii, to M Smyth, (Foyleview) Limavady, Co Londonderry and M Warnock (Straidarran), Limavady; J Innes and Sons' Strathbogie Boss, by Mullan Armani, to S Dolan; P Niland; M Hafferty; J Dunn and P Noble all Eire; RH Wilson's Milnbank Brooklyn, by Greenstar Alfie, to DK Jarvie (Duncryne), Cherryfield, Muthill, Crieff and J McKerrow (Grougfoot) Boness, West Lothian.

6500gns – R Strawbridge's Tamnamoney Balboa, by Scotsman Avicii, to B Farmer, Wester Parkgate, Dumfries

6000gns – A and G Howie's Knock Brutus, by Allanfauld Am The Man, to JA Gibson and Co, (Scrogtonhead) Cowgrove, Galston; R Wilson's Milnbank Banshee, by Greenstar Alfie, to Knock.

5600gns – EG Thomas' Wydden Boom, by Procters Yankee, to EG Thomas (Wydden); IT Jones, Rhiwlas Uchaf, Denbigh and GE Jones, Cae Coed, Abergele, Conwy.

5500gns – M Ellis' Cressage Blockbuster, by Fordafourie Amalert, to J and JP McCall, Blinkbonny, Ancroach, Fife; RH Wilson's Milnbank Bacardi, by Greenstar Alfie, to J Connell, (Lauder) Wanton Walls, Lauder; D and H Alderson's Titan Billionaire, by Tophill Wallstreet, to GL Howells, Shadog, Llandysul, Carmarthen; J and H Clark's Garngour Bladerunner, by Knock Yardsman, to D and E MacManamon, Derrylahan, Newport, Co Mayo.

5200gns – R Henderson's Ballynahone Bastareaud, by Scotsman Avicii, to A Dickson, Lonicera House, Drumgrin, Omagh.

5000gns – A Gault's Forkins Baz, by Scotsman Avicii, to A Breen (Drumderg), Temp Enniskillen, Co Fermangh; G Morrison's Deveronvale Brave One, by Mullan Armani, to McKinney Bros, Craigadick Road, Maghera, Co Londonderry; R Cockburn's Knap Bandicoot, by Mullan Amigo, to C Angus, Oldfield, Thurso; D and H Alderson's Titan Barbarian, by Strathbogie Yes Sir, to Titan and GP and D Williams, Dolgraian, Cilwyn Bay, Conwy.

Auctioneers: Lawrie and Symington

FLOCK averages

Flock (No) Top (Gns) Averages (£)

2018 2017

Knock (3) 28,000 12,320.00 2888

Tullagh (3) 3200 1575.00 –

Haddo (7) 40,000 12,015.00 2643

Hexel (3) 8000 5442.50 –

Nochnary (4) 750 590.63 6825

Carmavy (3) 3500 1435.00 –

Harestone (3) 1100 892.50 –

Procters (3) 2400 1750.00 2730

Charben (3) 1300 805.00 1523

Annan (3) 2800 1260.00 –

Cairnam (4) 2800 1456.87 2100

Cowal (5) 22,000 5628.00 805

Tamnamoney (6) 10,000 4497.50 1120

Fairywater (5) 2000 1218.00 –

Glenside (5) 1700 966.00 851

Hilltop (5) 4600 2898.00 1190

Carnview (3) 850 717.50 –

Cornmore (3) 2200 1190.00 3395

Duncryne (3) 1600 997.50 –

Watchknowe (3) 2000 1242.50 1068

Strathbogie (6) 10,000 7105.00 2573

Tophill (4) 1100 756.00 879

Poseyhill (3) 650 577.50 347

Ballynahone (3) 5200 2072.00 1403

Arkle (6) 4000 2205.00 2586

Usk Vale (4) 3200 1312.50 –

Forkins (6) 5000 3177.08 2573

Teilo (3) 4500 1872.50 –

Auldhouseburn (6) 75,000 21,962.50 –

Fachell (3) 1200 910.00 –

Deveronvale (6) 15,000 4121.25 11,069

Milnbank (7) 7000 3925.00 4029

Tullylagan (7) 1000 532.50 1478

Kingspark (3) 4000 2625.00 –

Knap (5) 7500 4074.00 4956

Ettrick (5) 7500 2751.00 3495

Lower Reiss (4) 4200 1811.25 –

Humeston (3) 420 427.00 1193

Wydden (3) 5600 3115.00 –

Didcot (3) 1100 647.50 –

Cambwell (6) 2600 1662.50 2529

Orchilmore (3) 700 595.00 –

Stainton (4) 500 472.50 2415

Teiglum (4) 7800 3281.25 7875

Allanfauld (3) 1100 805.00 8138

Drumderg (3) 620 497.00 –

Knockem (7) 10,500 2677.50 –

Crailloch (3) 1100 945.00 2510

Sportsmans (7) 26,000 5760.00 21,827

Plasucha (5) 32,000 12,642.00 4914