Centre records for a Bluefaced Leicester were smashed at North West Auctions’ Diamond Delights multi-breed sale at J36, when a ewe hogg sold for 8000gns.

The sale which included a record entry of 95 females for the Bluefaced Beauties event, was led by entries from Neil Marston’s Highberries flock from Cockermouth, which produced several of the top lots.

His sale leader at 8000gns is by the Midlock G034, out of Highberries K050, which goes back to Hundith Z4 and sold to the Wight family, Midlock, Crawford, who were buying back some of their own genetics.

Highberries also produced the joint top priced ewe at 3500gns with Red Howe K011. She is by the Highberries G002 and sold due to a Maqueston M004 ram, to Lancaster-based breeder, RI Raw, Fair View, Farleton.

Mr Marston also topped the recipients carrying embryos at 3000gns. This entry changed hands carrying lambs to the Carry House M009, out of Highberries G043, when purchased by R Collingwood, Stewart Shield Meadows, Stanhope, Bishop Auckland.

Otterburn Lodge M23 from Ashley and Rachel Caton, the top price in-lamb gimmer sold for 5000gns

Otterburn Lodge M23 from Ashley and Rachel Caton, the top price in-lamb gimmer sold for 5000gns

Topping the gimmers at 5000gns, Ashley Caton, Otterburn Lodge, Skipton, sold a daughter of the home-bred K012, carrying triplets to the M4 Asby Hall. She was knocked down to Ellis Bros, Cragg House, Addingham, Illkey Moor.

Just behind on 3000gns, a three-crop ewe from the same home sold carrying three lambs to the Smearsett J001 ram to K and HA Ridley, Consett, County Durham.

The Lord family’s Hewgill flock from Kirkby Stephen, was again in the money with ewe hoggs to 4000gns and 3500gns.

The dearest, by the M039 headed back down south to Kirkby Stephen with Richard Hutchinson, Redgate, while the 3500gns ewe hogg by the L007 Riddings, was purchased by J Browell and Sons, Quarry House Farm, Colwel, Hexham.

James Taylor of the Lunesdale flock, Bradleyfield, also had a good day, selling a ewe hogg by the Star Green M1 Red tag bred from a Smearsett G011 Ted mother for 3600gns to an undisclosed buyer.

Top price for the Wight family’s Midlock consignment was 3500gns for a four-crop ewe purchased by C Rennie, Alford, Aberdeenshire. She is by Midlock Mustang and sold carrying a single to Riddings M001.

On the flip side, the Wights forked out 3200gns for the best from John Reed and sons, Andrew and Stephen, of the West Biggins flock, Westgate, Bishop Auckland. Their pen leader West Biggins N028, a ewe hogg is by the Highberries H002.

The Smearsett flock of WA and A Booth, Feizor, Lancs, saw their pen leader, Red Howe K010, a two-crop ewe, carrying a single to Smearsett G011 Ted sell for 3000gns to IC Copeland, Bailey Mill, Newcastleton.

Outwith Bluefaced Leicesters, the Swaledale Stars sale saw a reduced entry and a top price of 1600gns paid for a substitute gimmer from Andrew and Morris Skidmore, Tebay. She is by Oakbank Emerald, out of a draft ewe bred by Paul Hallam and sold in lamb to Buttrigg Viceroy. Messrs Bainbridge, Owlands, forked out the cash.

Aged ewes were topped at 700gns by an entry from the Skidmores. She is by Wolfcleugh Hercules and sold due to Flakebridge Justice.

A Whicham Harkerside daughter from TA and J Dixon, Selside, realised 1100gns. This gimmer is due to the £11,500 Cotegill Upgrade.

Rough Fells peaked at 1000gns for a gimmer by Catholes Beast from MP and A Capstick, Newbiggin-on-Lune, and found a new home with S and W Dickinson, Tebay. She carries two lambs by Catholes Action.

Auctioneers: North West Auctions

averages: BFL – 26 in-lamb ewes, £1302; 25 in-lamb gimmers, £1089; 41 ewe hoggs, £1387 three Mule ewe recipients carrying embryos, £1925. Rough Fell – In-lamb ewes, £459; in-lamb gimmers, £630. Swale – In-lamb ewes, £735.00; in-lamb gimmers, £1295