A RECORD breaking entry of more than 7000 head was forward for United Auctions' annual show and sale of breeding sheep and store lambs which attracted a huge crowd and some cracking prices to go with it.

With total numbers well up on the year, Mule gimmers (1477) levelled at £133.62, a drop of £3.98 on the year. Texel gimmers faired better, with 214 up £1.87 to £138.85, with Suffolk gimmers (100) at £138.85 and Cheviot Mules, best of all at £142.68 for 467.

The ewe lamb entry saw 1390 Mules average £96.62 (-£8.98) and 461 Cheviot Mules cash in at £103.75 (-£6.71).

The event, sponsored by Iain MacEachen Transport, saw Doug Davidson and his grandson Scott Morrison of Sinsharnie, Cairnie, judge the Mule gimmers, while Callum Keir and his son Lewis, Cairncoullie, Alford, selected the ewe lambs.

First prize pen of gimmers came from Messrs Leslie, Redhill, which sold for the top price of £172, while the equivalent amongst the Mule ewe lambs was an entry from Ruthven Farms, that made £130 each.

Topping the ewe lamb trade at £172 was a pen from Neil and Stuart Barclay, Harestone, who also produced the first prize pen in that section that sold at £160.

A full company of buyers ensured a buoyant trade for the 3030 store lambs too, which saw strong types meet a firm enquiry, with longer keep lambs proving that bit more difficult. Top price was £69 paid for Suffolk crosses from Greenland Mains.

LEADING awards:

Gimmers – Mules – 1, Redhill, £172; 2, Towiemore, £152; 3, Logie, £140.

Ewe lambs – Mules – 1, Ruthven Farms, £130; 2, Wedderburn, £125; 3, Newton of Hassiewells, £120. Chev Mules – 1, Harestone, £160; 2, Dalrachie, £125; 3, Tillyminate, £100.

LEADING prices:

Gimmers – Mule – £155 x2 Altyre Cottage, Towiemore; £150 x7 Kirkland; x 2, Altyre Cottage; Towiemore x 4; £145 x2 Kirkland; £140 x4 St Johns Wells, Kirkland, Logie, Braehead. Tex – £210 Whitelumbs; £180 Home Farm Rattray; £165 x2 Woodside, Whitelumbs; £160 Meikle Begshill. Suff – £150 Towiemore; £140 Whitelumbs; £135, £130 Croftdhu. Chev Mule – £160 Tillyminate; £158 x2 Redhill; £145 Redhill; £140 x5 Redhill (twice); Ballindalloch Home Farm, Tillyminate, Bogiebrae. Hb – £120 St Johns Wells. BdM – £118 Drummuir Home Farm. Chev – £105 Adamstone.

Ewe lambs – Mules – £135, £132, £124, Mill of Fowlis; £118 Bomakelloch; £111 Ruthven; £110 x2 Bomakelloch. Chev Mules – £172, £148 Harestone; £124 Dalrachie; £110 Honeysuckle Cottage. Tex – £110 Honeysuckle Cottage; £110 Meikle Begshill; £100 Berryleys.

Breeding ewes – Suff corr – £100 Ryeriggs Croft; Tex one-crop £125, £100x2 Wardhead; Tex BMCB – £84 Auchnarrow; Mule BMCB – £82 Logie; £77 Auchnarrow; Mule correct – £80 South Litterty. English Mule one-crop – £100 Ryeriggs Croft.

Store lambs – Suff – £69 Greenland Mains; £68 Leithhall Home Farm; Down X – £66.60 x3 Greenland Mains; East Murkle; Mid Fodderletter; Belt – £66 x2 Glenrinnes; Tex – £67.50 Leithhall Home Farm. Tex X – £66 Greenland Mains; Cont – £64.50 Pitprone; Zwart – £66.50 Burnside; Char – £61 Bush, £58 Mid Fodderletter.