Southdowns from Jonathan Long's Chaileybrook flock from Bishops Frome, Herefordshire, dominated the proceedings at the breed's Premier sale at Worcester, selling the lead priced lots including the top two at 1250gns and 1000gns.

Sale leader and producing a male centre record at 1250gns, was the champion, selected by the judge, Nick Page. This was the shearling ram, Chaileybrook 20/00669, a son of Chaileybrook 18/00278 that goes back to Percheron and out of a Sarkozy-sired dam which was breed champion at Royal Three Counties Show in 2017. The buyer was Tom Chester, buying for his Chapel House flock from Needwood, Staffordshire.

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Two entries from the Longs sold for 1000gns, with the first, Chaileybrook 20/00672, the first shearling son sold by the French import Dartagnan, out of a Percheron daughter from the same family as the 2500gns breed female record holder, selling to Scottish producers Jim Brown and Others, Arran, who are better known for their Border Leicesters.

Mr Brown also went to 850gns for a Chaileybrook shearling ram.

Jonathan's daughter, Sophie selling off the Littlebrook flock, also received 1000gns for a shearling by a home-bred son of the French import Breton, A triplet-born, he is out of an Ibanez daughter and heads to Scarborough, North Yorkshire with Brian and Anthony Glaves buying for their Brompton flock.

The same buyers also went to 950gns for a ram lamb from Maria Cork's Yeaside flock from Yeaveley, Ashbourne. He is by Brant 18/00528, and bred from a Brant ewe by Sarkozy.

Chaileybrook also sold two ram lambs at 850gns and topped the females at 750gns with the first prize gimmer, while young Sophie Long sold another shearling ram at 800gns.

Aberdeenshire breeder, David Cranston, Fraserburgh, bought the lead priced ewe lamb at 480gns, again from Mr Long's Chaileybrook flock

Averages: Six shearling rams £906.50; five ram lambs £701.40; 18 gimmers £308.58; three ewe lambs £308.

Auctioneers: McCartneys.