The show of the Irish Texel Sheep Society’s premier sale took place on Friday evening, with Monaghan breeders John, Colm and Michael McHugh claiming top spot.

Their ram lamb born in February 2020 ticked all the boxes for young judge Aaron Myles from Co Donegal. The stunning ram named Greenhill Dance Monkey secured top place in the index class before securing the male championship followed by the supreme championship. This classy prospect was sired by 2019 ram of the year Kilclammon Brody, which was purchased at the 2018 premier for €5,000. Out of a homebred ewe, her breeding contains Thornville Alberto, reserve male champion at the all-Ireland finals in 2018.

Claiming first in the open ram class, reserve male champion and reserve supreme champion was Larahirl Danny Devito from John Greene, Co Donegal. This February 2020-born ram is a son of the 16,000gns Procters Cocktail and out of a dam by Allanfauld Am the Man. Due to the changing of the format at this year’s sale and the champion and reserve going in ballot order, this sheep will be one of the last of the 350 sheep through the ring to be sold.

Female championship

Taking the female championship were Mayo breeders Daire and Enda McManamon with a ewe from their Derrylahan flock. This February 2019 shearling was sired by Garngour Bladerunner, who was purchased for 5,500gns. The homebred ewe is one of the best in the flock and was all-Ireland champion in 2015. Standing reserve female to the McManamons was a ewe lamb from Clive Rothwell’s Ballypierce flock. This ewe is homebred on both sides, with Auldhouseburn Bullitt and Thornville Viking Warrior in the back breeding.