SOME 45 years of dedicated pedigree Suffolk sheep breeding came to an end at Stockton-on-Teme, Worcester, last weekend, when John Sinnett dispersed the family's prize winning Stockton flock which saw more than £250,000 change hands.

The flock which over the years has produced several 'Royal' champion and inter-breed winners and tup and ewe lambs to 75,000gns and 23,000gns, respectively, was cashed on farm and at the same time as the family's dispersal of commercial sheep, general farm machinery, equipment and fodder. Needless to say, the event attracted a huge ringside of buyers from start to finish with prices peaking at 10,000gns on two occasions for stock rams.

First at that price was the ram lamb, Birness Cracker, bought at Stirling in July for 3000gns where he stood reserve champion for his breeders, George and Melvin Stuart. A son of Crewelands Megastar, bred from a Birness ewe by Annakisha Apache, he sold along with 50 straws of semen to Shropshire breeder, PW Poole, Battlefield, Shrewsbury.

Matching that was another tup lamb bought at Stirling, Cairness Corker, a Cairness Agent son bred from a Cairness ewe by Cloontagh Chieftain. He sold back to his breeder, Jimmy Douglas, Woodhead of Cairness, Fraserburgh, at 10,000gns.

This year's show ewe lamb, a Dol-llys Bale daughter that stood reserve female champion at the Three Counties and the Royal Welsh, sold next at 7000gns to Messrs Turner, Longford, Derby. Her dam is by Rookery Barry.

Last year's top show female that was inter-breed at the Three Counties as a gimmer and supreme sheep at the Royal Welsh in 2016, made 6000gns to establish a new flock with Russell Poole, Shrewsbury. A daughter of Irongray Black Magic, bred from a ewe by Rhaeadr Mad Man, she changed hands in lamb to Forkins Tan.

The same buyer also went to 3200gns for a ewe lamb by Stockton Last Chance, a Frongoy Welsh Champion-sired tup, again bred from a ewe by Mad Man.

Charlie Boden bought the next three top priced lots at 6000gns, 5500gns and 4600gns to take back to Mellor Hall, Stockport, Cheshire.

Two of these three were daughter and dam lots to include the dearest which included a ewe lamb by Stockton Last Chance and her dam, a home-bred ewe by Rhaeadr Mad Man bred from a ewe by Morris Lee. She sold due to Dol-llys Bale.

The 4600gns entry was the same and was made up of a ewe lamb by Dol-llys Bale and her dam, a ewe by Whitestone Footprint which also sold due to Bale.

And at 5500gns, a ewe lamb by the same Dol-llys Bale ram but bred from a ewe by Rookery Barry, sold to Mellor Hall.

Two ewe lambs made 4200gns to include an entry by Stockton Last Chance, bred from a ewe by Rhaeadr Mint. Paul Delves, Churchstoke, Powys, was the last man in.

Minutes later, Gordon Troup, Sauchen, Aberdeen, went to the same money for some of his own breeding, buying a ewe lamb by Dol-llys Bale bred from a ewe by Whitestone Footprint.

And, at 3200gns, Welsh breeder, Dafydd Jones, Llanon, Aberystwyth, bought the dam of Mr Boden's 5500gns ewe lamb, a ewe by Stockton Percy T, which sold due to Forkins Tan.

At 3000gns, Messrs Weston, Pontyclun, Glamorgan, bought a 2014-born ewe by Rhaeadr Mad Man, bred from a ewe by Stockton Thriller The Second. She sold in lamb to Cairness Corker.

The Ingrams who are better known for their Charollais sheep based at Logie Durno, Pitcaple, Aberdeenshire, also got in on the act, forking out 2600gns for a ewe lamb by Dol-llys Bale. She is out of a ewe by Muiresk Momento.

Matching that sale, Messrs Alexander, Toomebridge, Antrim, bought a ewe lamb by Stockton Last Chance, bred from a ewe by Stockton Percy.

OTHERLEADING prices

Show stars – 2500gns – Gimmer (champion at the RWAS 2018), by Ballynacannon Boom, due to Cairness Corker, to R Poole, Shrewsbury.

Gimmers – 2500gns – By Ballynacannon Boom, and due to Birness Cracker, to Messrs Sufferin, Maghera, Co Londonderry. 2200gns – By Ballynacannon Boom and due to Cairness Corker, to R Poole, Shrewsbury. 2100gns – By Ballynacannon Boom and due to Birness Cracker, to Messrs Alexander, Toomebridge, Antrim.

Ewes – 2400gns – By Conchar PR and due to Rhaeadr Raring To Go, to Messrs Jones and Sons, Camrose, Haverfordwest. 2200gns – By Frongoy Welsh Champion and due to Dol-llys Bale, to Messrs De Roock, Belgium

Stock rams – 2500gns – Rhaeadr Arnie, by Rhaeadr Raring To Go, to Messrs Ingram, Logie Durno.

Auctioneers: United Auctions, Harrison and Hetherington and J Straker Chadwick and Sons.