A PEN of Texel prime lambs from W Stephen, Balquindachy, Turriff, scooped the tri-colour rosette at United Auctions' Christmas show and sale at Huntly, before selling for the top price of £128 or 246p per kg.

The pen of three, which tipped the scales at 52kg, sold to the pre-sale judge, Andrew Grant of John Stewart Butchers, Banff.

Taking the reserve honours was a pen of three Beltex from regular consignor, Angus Greenlaw of Sheep Park Farms, Sheep Park, Bridge of Marnoch, Huntly. Weighing 45.3kg, they sold for £125 or 276p to Forbes Raeburn Butchers, Huntly.

Outwith the show, a good entry of 1080 prime lambs saw all classes sharper on the week as they topped at 206p for 47kg Beltex from Sheep Park Farms, and £92 for a Texel weighing 54kg from Hilton of Culsh, New Deer.

The 1145 cast ewes sold at comparable rates with a top price of £140 paid for a Texel from Braehead.

LEADINGawards:

Prime lambs – Tex – 1, Balquindachy, 52kg, £128; 2, Hilton of Culsh, 57kg, £96; 3, Allaloth, 40kg, £79.

AOB – 1, Sheep Park, 43.5kg, £125; 2, Sheep Park, 47.6kg, £98; 3, Hilton of Culsh, 47.3kg, £87.

Suff – 1, Hilton of Culsh , 61.6kg, £90; 2, Smithy House, 52.6kg, £84; 3, Hilton of Culsh, 56.3kg, £89.

Mule – 1, Hillhead of Mornish, 51.6kg, £81; 2, Honeysuckle Cottage, 50.6kg, £80; 3, Hillhead of Mornish, 53.3kg, £80

BF – 1, Clashnoir, 46kg, £81.50; 2, Hillhead of Mornish, 44.6kg, £76; 3, Clashnoir, 46.6kg, £79.

LEADINGprices:

Prime lambs – Suff – £90 Hilton of Culsh, 196p Davmor. Suff X – £82.50 Mount Pleasant; 184p Old Stirkoke. Tex – £87 Balquindachy/Hilton of Culsh, 200p Allaloth. Tex X – £86 North Calder, 193p Davmor. Cont – £87 Manderlea/18 Richmond Gardens; 189p North Retannach. Chev – £85 Balquindachy; 185p Old Stirkoke. Mule – £80 Dualts/Raws; 173p Wester Auchnagailen. BF – £77 Ballindalloch Home Farm; 183p Hillhead of Mornish. Bel – £90 Barrogill Mains;188p 18 Richmond Gardens/Barrogill Mains. Char X – £85, 185p North Calder. Chev Mule – £80 Dualts; 171p Wester Auchnagailen;

Ewes – Suff – £105 Lynegar. Tex – £140 Braehead. Tex X – £102 Sherriffseat. Cont – £101 Brae Edge/Rinatin. Chev – £90 Burnside of Calder. Mule – £65 Sherriffseat. Chev – £91 Brae Edge. BF – £37 Rinmore. Cross – £97 Mid Fleenas/Whinbrae. Chev Mule – £84 Whinbrae. Belt – £95 Sheep Park. Llyen – £90 Mid Fleenas. Char – £96 Upper Blairnain.

Rams – Suff – £90 Auchnarrow. Tex – £109 Craigton. BFL – £77 Auchnarrow. Llyen – £88 Mains of Pronie.