A SOMEWHAT mixed trade for pedigree Dutch Texels at Carlisle on Monday, saw fewer sold compared to the same sale last year with a top price of 3000gns paid for a ram lamb.

Sale leader was Harry and George Wilkinson's Arkle Bandit, a March-born entry from Arkle House, Aspatria, purchased by Welsh breeders, Messrs Oare, Holywell, Flintshire. Third in his class at the pre-sale show, he is by a Ypres sire and bred from a Thacka ewe by Vanderbilt D Woo.

The second prize tup lamb from Aberdeenshire breeder, Christopher Harper, Nether Kinmundy, Peterhead, sold next at 1500gns to Messrs Haggas, Skipton. This was A Turbo Welsh Boy son out of a Wiston-bred ewe by Oberon.

Leading the shearling trade at 950gns was the pen leader from Sue Rawling's Wiston flock from Nayland, Essex. Wiston Apeldoorn, is by Wiston Willowby and was knocked down to Messrs Kirkbride, Maryport.

The same home also produced the second and third top priced females at 750gns and 650gns, both of which were bought by Messrs Strickland, Austwick, Lancs. The former, an imported gimmer is by Yohan, while the latter another gimmer, is a Wiston Yo Ben daughter.

Messrs Strickland also bought the dearest female at 1000gns, from IR Clough's North Yorkshire-based Raindale flock. Champion at the pre-sale show, she is by the Penparc Tiberius son, Raindale Won, and bred from a home-bred ewe by Wiston Pasha.

Averages: 45 shearling rams, £454.53 (-£172.54 for 16 fewer); five ram lambs, £953.40 (+£260.40 for two fewer); ; 19 gimmers, £417.78 (+£73.91 for three fewer); four ewe lambs, £241.50.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.