Averages were much improved on the year albeit at the Welsh Beltex Club’s Premier sale at Welshpool, where no fewer than 42 shearling rams sold at or above the 1000gns bracket.

It was a good day for Sion Jones when an entry from his Fronarth flock from Pennat, Llanon, Aberystwyth, topped the sale at 2500gns with others selling at 1600gns and 1500gns.

Sale leader when knocked down to the Society’s veterinary inspector, Neil Laing, for his children, Euan, Fiona and Kirsten’s Perryflatts flock near Lanark, was Fronarth Elton John ET. The embryo-bred son of Padkin Sugar Daddy is out of the Pantgwyn Wil-sired Fronarth Beauty.

Two matched the second highest price of 2200gns with the first being Celyn Echo from brothers-in-law, Anthony Williams and Dafydd Watkins, of the Celyn flock at Llywel, Trecastle, Brecon. Echo is by the privately purchased Whatmore Agent, while his mother is Celyn Amber, by Y Bedol Welsh Lizard. He sold to Steven and Sara Gibbons buying some of their own genetics for their Whatmore flock from Tregoyd, Brecon.

Also hitting 2200gns was Cothi Exhibitor from Dafydd Lewis, Llanwrda, Carmarthenshire, which caught the eye of TE Jenkins for his Banc flock near Aberaeron, Ceredigion. His sire is the 4700gns Aviemore Cicero ram, while the dam is the Cothi Stripper-sired Cothi Cheecky.

Two sold at 2000gns, to include another Aviemore Cicero son, this time Buarth Eminem from Gethin Mathias, also Llanwrda. He sold to JP Graham and Son for the Graham’s flock near Wigton, Cumbria.

Matching that bid was Geirn Eurion from Cennydd Owen, Llanerchymedd, Anglesey. He is by the 2700gns Corra Conrad and sold to D Morris, Bangor.

Females peaked at 1600gns for Buarth Ewe Sexy Thing ET from Gethin Mathias, a gimmer that picked up the reserve championship at the Beltex Sheep Society’s virtual Royal Welsh Show. Sired by Aviemore Cicero, her dam is the privately purchased Airyolland Tiara, an Airyolland Rocketman daughter. She sold over the 'phone to Stuart Wood of the Woodies flock, Aberdeenshire.

Next best amongst the females were two gimmers from Paul Tippetts which sold for 1300gns and 1200gns.

Averages: 35 gimmers, £622 (+£231 for 29 fewer sold); 171 shearling rams, £819 (+£229 for 17 more); 16 ram lambs, £555 (+£54 for the same number).