In-lamb Texel gimmers from the Lancashire-based Procters flock proved the star attraction at the January Gems sale at Ballymena, producing the majority of top prices, including the top two at 14,000gns and 11,000gns.

The two dearest, brought out by Jeff and Jennifer Aiken, daughter Katie and son Robbie, were both daughters of the 100,000gns Sportsmans Batman and in-lamb carrying twins to the record priced 350,000gns Sportsmans Double Diamond.

Dearest was a gimmer by Teiglum Younggun, bred from a strong female line. A grand-daughter of Procters Vicki which bred the 12,000gns Procters Cheeky Monkey and Procters Crystal, she sold to Carl Bellis, Denbigh, Wales.

Selling at 11,000gns from Procters to the Carmavy flock of S and J McCollam, Crumlin, was another well-bred gimmer whose grand-dam is the full sister to 16,000gns Procters Samurai.

Procters also received 5000gns for a daughter of the 12,000gns Fordafourie Balvenie, bred from a Tophill Union Jack dam that is a full sister to the 8000gns Procters Vagabond. She sold carrying a single lamb to the Sportsmans Batman son, Procters Dingle Dollar, to Ashley Dickson, Lonicera, Castlederg.

The remainder of the sale was also buoyant, with the 59 entries averaging just shy of £2000 and with a 100% clearance.

Third top price was 6500gns paid for a gimmer from Adrian Liggett and Brian Williamson’s Corbo and Farmhill flocks. She is by the 10,000gns Strathbogie Best Bet, and out of a daughter of the 60,000gns Clinterty Yuga Khan that stood reserve at Omagh Show in 2019, while her sister, a ewe lamb lifted the championship the same year. She sold in lamb to 3000gns Tullagh Dragon, a Teiglum Braveheart son to join Donna Vidal’s flock in Trim, Co Meath.

Another from the same home made 4200gns to Limavady breeder, Martin Warnock, for his Straidarran flock. Also by Best Bet, but bred from a Springwell Viera dam, she changed hands due to the 17,000gns Sportsmans Cannon Ball.

Corbo and Farmhill also sold the highest priced ewe lamb at 2400gns to Owen and Liam Donohoe's Derryvore flock, from Enniskillen. This was a a Corbo Coors Light daughter bred from a Hartside All Star dam.

Top price for John Trimble’s Curley flock was 3800gns paid for a substitute entry by Mullan BFG. She is bred from a Glenside ewe that has produced ram lambs to 5200gns and females at four figures. Philip Dodds, of the Tullybrannigan flock, from Newcastle, forked out the cash for this entry which sold due to the 3200gns Lakeview Dirty Dancer.

A charity auction lot from Graham and Joanne McFarland’s Drewmar flock, from Co Tyrone, realised 2800gns with all proceeds going to the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice. This Tamnamoney Big Horn daughter out of a Ballyhivistock Unique dam sold in lamb to Knock Yardsman and joins SR Glenn’s Carryduff flock, from Co Down.

Averages: 18 gimmers, £985.83; Curley – 13 gimmers, £1429.61; Corbo/Farmhill – 11 gimmers, £2290.90; Straidarran – eight gimmers, £945.00; Procters – eight £4987.50.

OTHERLEADING prices

In-lamb gimmers – Bluegates – 3100gns; 2000gns; 1600gns; 1500gns; 1500gns; 900gns; Procters – 2600gns; 1600gns; 1400gns; 1400gns; 1000gns; Curley – 2400gns; 2100gns; 1500gns; 1500gns; 1100gns; 1100gns; Corbo and Farmhill – 2400gns; 1800gns; 1400gns; 1300gns; 1100gns; 1100gns; 1000gns. Straidarran – 1800gns; 1100gns; 1000gns.

Auctioneers: JA McClelland and Sons.