A ram lamb from Charlie Boden’s Mellor Vale flock, from Stockport, Cheshire, attracted the top price of 8000gns at the Welsh National Texel Sale at Welshpool.

Trade was strong throughout, with averages rising in all sections and clearance rates just shy of 80% amongst the gimmers and ram lambs.

Sale leader was Mellor Vale Etambo, a Castlecairn Doodle Bug son out of a dam by Garngour Craftsman. An ET, bred from a 2020-born ewe lamb, he sold to Rob Evans for the Hope Valley flock, Minsterley, Shropshire.

Next best among the ram lambs at 4000gns was Sportmans Ezra, from this home and again by Doodle Bug. He’s out of a dam by Fordafourie Amalert and found a new home with Will Ridge, Church Stretton, Shropshire, for the Ridgeway flock.

Shearling rams peaked at 6500gns for Robert Watkins' Corras Dundee, a son of Loosebeare Braveheart out of a dam by Hollyford Venus, purchased by an undisclosed buyer.

Perthshire breeder, Robert Cockburn, Errol, topped the gimmers at 2400gns with an ET bred daughter of Canllefaes Bright Spark, bred from a dam by Ettrick Rainbow Warrior. She was the pick of Gary Scott, Denbighshire, for the Bryn-Y-Coed flock.

Averages 46 gimmers £815.58 (+£152.11 for two less), 37 shearling rams £1248.65 (+£57.48 for eight fewer), 76 ram lambs £819.84 (+£132.23 for 16 more).

Auctioneers: Welshpool Livestock