Charollais breeders were delighted to be in Worcester Market, for what was probably the first pedigree ram sale of the year to be held live, where strict Covid-19 restrictions were in place to allow the sale to go ahead.

Most enjoyed a good trade too with prices peaking at 16,000gns and sound averages, albeit for fewer sold.

Sale leader was Mike and Melanie Alford’s Foxhill Va Va Voom, an early December-born ET lamb which heads north to Aberdeenshire, having been purchased by William and Carole Ingram, sons Gregor and Bruce and daughter Amy buying for their Logie Durno and Loanhead flocks.

The lamb, from the couple’s small flock based in Devon, is the result of a flush from a home-bred daughter of Crogham Hanibal II, which stood inter-breed champion at the Devon County Show. Va Va Voom is by the Rhaeadr Orlando son, Loanhead Triathlon.

The Alfords also received 2500gns for Foxhill Victor, another by Triathlon, purchased by Jeremy Price, Hereford and Esmor Evans from Mold.

On the other side of the equation, the Alfords bought the top priced shearling ram at 4600gns. This was Thackwood U Corker, a January-born son of Netherton Sea of Stars from Jonathan Wales’ flock in Cumbria. First and reserve male at the Great Yorkshire Show, last year, he is bred from a Logie Durno JR-sired ewe.

Due to the uncertainty of trading, the Ingrams had taken the decision to sell their ram lambs privately prior to the sale, but presented two pens of cracking shearling tups.

Dearest here at 3600gns was Loanhead Unstoppable, a son of Cannahars Super Star that heads back up Cumbria to join Jonathan Wales’ Thackwood flock.

Unstoppable is out of a home-bred ewe by Riverdale Noble that bred the 2017 Worcester champion which sold for 3400gns.

Also heading to Cumbria, with a 2500gns final bid was Logie Durno Ultra, a son of Hollylodge Supreme, purchased by David and Jonathan Norman buying for their Kirkhouse flock from Cockermouth. His dam is also by Riverdale Noble.

The exact same genetics were behind Logie Durno Upperclass, which made 2300gns selling to Simon Turkington, Lilliesleaf, Melrose.

Second top price amongst the lambs were two 3200gns sales. First was Wernfawr Vinnie from David Curran’s flock in Brecon. He is by Bronwydd Tomahawk out of a consistent Glyn Coch Night to Remember-sired ewe and sold to Colin Bowen buying for his Pembrokeshire-based Gwyndy flock.

Artnagullion Vagabon made the same money for William McAllister, who had travelled from Northern Ireland for the sale. This big lamb is by the flock’s purchase from last year’s premier sale, Loanhead Upper Class, out of a Knockin Shop show ewe. He sold to Tim Prichard of the Castellau flock in Glamorgan.

A high performance index tup lamb from Robert Whittaker, Jedburgh, attracted a trio of Signet flocks. Hundalee Volcano had high figures for all traits putting him in the Top 1% for the breed. His sire was Edstaston U R The Man, purchased at last year’s sale. Sharing the 2500gns price tag were the Redhill flock, Rutland, Rainbow flock, Cheshire and the Lowerye flock from Powys.

Emyr Hughes from Pembrokeshire had a good pen of lambs all sired by Ffrwd U Belter, which sold to 2000gns for Bronwydd Vinnie Jones. The buyer was Geoff Biddulph of the Gawsworth flock in Cheshire.

Close behind on 1900gns was Bronwydd Va Va Voom purchased by Chris Timm, buying for his Wensleydale flock in Yorkshire. His third lamb went to regular German buyer, Volker Derbisz for 1600gns.

Justin Evans from Glamorganshire, also sold to 2000gns for Sant Andras Vanquish, a Bronwydd Tomahawk-sired entry purchased by Geraint Evans, buying for his Grug flock from Newcastle Emlyn. And, new breeder, Richard White from Yorkshire bought Sant Andras Vantage for 1600gns.

Society chairman, Arwyn Thomas, from Carmarthenshire, received 1900gns for a son of Arbryn Tonto from Gail Hodgson and George Wearmouth buying for their Shield Ash flock in County Durham.

Matching that price was Ffrwd Vunipola from Dewi Evans from Anglesey. The buyer for this son of Edstaston Sotogrande was DA Thomas, Dafolog flock Carmarthenshire.

Auctioneers: McCartneys.