Two centre records for the

Texel

breed were achieved at the Welsh National sale at Welshpool with a new high of 10,000gns paid for a shearling ram, while a tup lamb sold for 9000gns.

Dearest was the first prize shearling ram at the pre-sale show from Cefyn Pryce, Yr Helig, Caereinion, Welshpool. Caereinion Bonus, by Granite Untouchable and out of a dam by Caereinion Number One, was knocked down to Jeff Aiken, buying for the Procters and Tatham Hall flocks from Procters Farm, Clitheroe.

Mr Pryce also sold the second top priced shearling at 1650gns to D and G Andrew, Meifod. This was Caereinion Boss, a Kimbolton Venturer son out of another Caereinion Number One daughter.

Leading the tup lambs at 9000gns was the male champion and first prize novice breeder, Ynystoddeb Coron Aur from Euros Jones and family, Gwynnfe, Llangadog. A Plasucha All Star son, bred from a Plasucha ewe by Kelso Wiseman, he sold in a three-way split to include the pre-sale judge, Rob Bennett, Plasucha; James Theyer, Clanfield and Jermey Theyer, Chegwood, with the Jones family also retaining a share.

Scottish breeders, Gordon Gray, Ettrick and Robert Cockburn, Knap, bought the next best at 3800gns from Myfyr Evans' Rhaeadr from Tan-yr-Accar, Llanrhaeadr, Denbighshire. Rhaeadr Crusader, had been second to the champion in the pre-sale show and is bred from the same family as the 125,000gns Rhaeadr Best of the Best being sired by the 40,000gns Garngour Alabama, out of a dam by Clinterty Yuga Khan.

Next at 2600gns was Ben Vernon's Charben Crazy Horse from Marston Brook, Rocester, Staffordshire. He is sired by Hexel Beast From The East, out of a Glenside Valhalla-sired dam and was the pick of S and K Lewis, Welsh Hook, Haverfordwest.

Top price amongst the females at 1800gns came for the female and reserve overall champion from Ryan Bradley's Farhey flock from Salterforth, Lancashire. A daughter of the 70,000gns Teiglum Younggun, out of a dam by Tophill Union Jack, she was knocked down to G Scott, Denbighshire.

Following her at 1400gns was the second prize gimmer and reserve female champion from Peter Woof’s Stainton flock from Kendal. The breeding behind this transaction includes Eden Valley A1 onto a dam by Hexel Wildcard. The buyer was Adrian Davies, Carmarthenshire.

averages – 54 gimmers £581.19 (-£144.91 for five fewer); 37 shearling rams £947.84 (-£354.66 for 16 more); 79 ram lambs £699.78 (-£37.20 for 22 fewer).