A buoyant demand for Rouge gimmers resulted in section averages rising almost £624 on the year at a society show and sale at Carlisle, where prices peaked at 2200gns.

Leading the trade was veteran breeder, Percy Tait's Knighton Ugotme, which secured both the supreme championship and the top price. The flock from Broughton Manor, Worcestershire, which is managed by Will Price, was topped by a Tullyvallen Schumacher daughter, out of a home-bred dam sired by Munday Meatloaf. She stood first in her class at the Royal Highland, Royal Welsh, Great Yorkshire and Turriff Show and was purchased by James and Jody Theyer, Bampton, Oxfordshire.

Another gimmer from the same flock, Knighton Upandover, made 1000gns selling to Messrs Workman, Monaghan, Eire. She is also by Tullyvallen Schumacher and out of Knighton Nell, a Munday Moriarty daughter.

Dumfriesshire breeder, Ian McConnell, from Kirkmahoe, Dumfries, also had a good day selling the gimmer, Ian’s Umama, across the water to Messrs Christie, Ballymoney, Co Antrim for 1100gns. A full sister to Mr McConnell's supreme champion and sale leader here last year, she is by Ballylane Scotsman and bred from Ian's Storm, by Castlescreen Pavarotti.

Topping the males at 1200gns was SJ Wright’s ram lamb, Wrights Victor, from Axminster, Devon. By Chauve Titanium and out of Wright's Pendora, a Garlic First Gold-sired ewe, he sold back down to Devon with Messrs Carter, Dawlish.

Mr Tait was back in the money amongst the tups, selling the only other four-figure priced lot at 1000gns. This was the shearling ram, Knighton Umberto, which stood reserve male at the pre-sale show and sold to Messrs McGourty, Co Leitram, Eire. Another by Tullyvallen Schumacher, he is out of a home-bred ewe.

Rou-Tex were led by the reserve section winner an imported tup lamb, from Mr McConnell, Kirkmahoe that made 550gns. He headed home with Messrs Knaggs, Sadberge, Darlington, Co Durham.

Averages: Seven gimmers, £975.00 (+£623.83 for two less sold); 11 ewe lambs, £275.86 (-£136.79 for one more); 12 shearling rams, £463.75 (+£6.99 for one more); 15 ram lambs, £368.20 (-£262.84 for two more); nine

Rou-Tex, £338.33.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.