It was the day of dreams for Blue Texel vendors at the Northern Supreme sale at Carlisle, where breeders not only witnessed a new ewe lamb high of 8500gns but also a new breed record of 30,000gns.
Hitting that all time high price was the shearling ram, Sunnybank Fergus II, from Henry Jewitt, of Gracie’s Farm, Romaldkirk, Barnard Castle, which sold in a four-way split to Northern Ireland breeders, Allen and Emma Shortt of the Derg flock, Castlederg; Alastair Shortt,Woodview, Omagh; Russell Millen, Knockmult, Coleraine; and Bailey Smyth, who owns the Baileys flock, Castlederg.
Male champion and reserve overall at this year’s Royal Highland and Royal Welsh Shows, Fergus II is by Boyo Elite and out of Boyo Duchess – both of which were purchased privately from Dave Roberts, Kenley, Shrewsbury.
Next best amongst the males at 11,000gns was the fourth prize ram lamb, Derg Gi Joe ET from Allen and Emma Shortt, Castlederg. The first son to be sold from the flock’s new stock ram, Matt's Fitetrap, he is out of Derg Enigma – the dam of the top priced ewe lamb at this year’s Springtime Spectacular. Gi Joe was snapped up by Steve and Sara Gibbons buying for their Whatmore flock, Brecon.
Matthew Burleigh, Shanra, Northern Ireland enjoyed a cracking trade throughout with a top price of 10,000gns paid for the ram lamb, Matt’s Gypsy King ET. Reserve male and reserve overall at the pre-sale show, he is by Matt’s Firetrap and out of Saltire Blue Doris. He sold in a three-way split to Neil Miller, Lockerbie; Fraser MacNicol, Mauchline, and Robert Graham, Bridge of Allan, Stirling.
The first prize shearling ram, Saltire Blue Ferocious, from Stasa Moyse, West Hill, Aberdeen, made 9000gns in a two-way split between Mark Wattie, Tough, Alford, Aberdeenshire and David Gray, Lindean, Galashiels. A son of a Corra ram that stood male champion at the Royal Highland, he is another bred from Saltire Blue Doris. Ferocious also boasts show form having stood second at the Royal Highland, and breed champion and reserve inter-breed sheep at Echt Show.
Two shearlings realised 7000gns, with the first, Ettrick Firefly ET, consigned by David and Clare Gray, Galashiels. Third at the Great Yorkshire and fourth at the Royal Highland, he is by Lyle’s Eagle and out of Ettrick Diva. He headed home with Messrs Jones, Llaniwni, Pencader and Messrs Francis, Abergorlech, Carmarthen.
Matching that 7000gns bid was Rhys Cooke’s Nantyderri Frankinstein ET from Abergavenny. Purchased by Jennifer Duncan, Banff, he is by the home-bred Nantyderri Derek and bred from Rookie Blues Annie.
Matthew Burleigh was back in the money selling the top priced female, a gimmer at 20,000gns. Matt’s Fittest ET, which stood third in her class at the pre-sale show, is a daughter of Drumard Ed, out of Saltire Dreamer and sold to new breeder, Sophia Chambers, Llandrindod Wells, Powys.
A new ewe lamb record was set when the female champion, Derg Gracia from Allen and Emma Shortt realised 8500gns when selling to Henry Jewitt. Another by Matt’s Firetrap, she is out of the home-bred Derg Enigma.
The reserve female, Ettrick Farrah, a gimmer from David and Clare Gray made 7000gns. A daughter of Lyle’s Eagle, out of the Dragon Buster-ewe, Ettrick Diva, she was another knocked down to Jennifer Duncan who also forked out 6000gns for the fourth prize gimmer, Nantyderri Forever ET from Rhys Cooke. She is by Nantyderri Extravaganza and out of Cleenagh Big Bird.
OTHER LEADING prices
Rams – 5000gns – R and J Bett’s Yarburgh Fire Starter, by Boyo Emperor, to R Cooke, Llantilio.
4800gns – R Almond’s Matt’s Galaxy, by Drumard Ed, to Messrs Williams, Llanwnnen, Lampeter.
4500gns – R Almond’s Matt’s Gaffer, by Matt’s Firetrap, to Messrs Copland, Sandwick, Stromness.
4000gns – Miss R Price and J Jerman’s Titanium Golden Balls, by Drumard Ed, to Westwood Park, Leominster.
3500gns – M Burleigh’s Matt’s Gangsta, by Drumard Ed, to Jennifer Duncan, Banff; G and E Jones’ Trisant Glory Hunt R, by Matt’s Escobar, to Messrs Dodd, Lockerbie.
Females – 5000gns – G and H Forsyth’s Corra From Now On, by Derg Darth Vader, to Messrs Halbert, Romano Bridge, West Linton.
4200gns – G and H Forsyth’s Corra Francesca, by Cleenagh Eeny Meeny Miny Moe, to Messrs Blenkhorn, Bewholme, Driffield.
Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.
averages: Five aged rams, £556.50; 73 shearling rams, £1686.11 (+£870.11 for 22 fewer); 71 ram lambs, £1460.39 (+£489.39 for 29 fewer); 131 gimmers, £1236.75 (-£317.16 for 14 more); 25 ewe lambs, £1373.40 (+£458.40 for 44 fewer).
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here