The annual Black Beauties production sale met a flying trade in Blessington Mart recently, resulting in a 100% clearance rate.

Lots on the day were secured by buyers from as far away as Italy, with many other European and UK buyers also securing lots.

Before proceedings got under way, there was a minute’s silence for the late Tommy Feeney, Drumbarron flock, who tragically died in a farm accident only a month earlier and whose flock dispersal took place immediately after the main sale.

Well-known breeder and member of the south of Ireland branch committee Paddy Carolan needs to be complimented for organising the dispersal on behalf of the Feeney family.

Carrying twins

Topping the Black Beauties production sale was Lot 15, a massive Limestone T-Rex gimmer from A&R Wilson’s Shannagh flock.

She was scanned carrying twins to the 12,000gns Crewelands Frontline and was sold to a UK breeder for €5,000. Her dam was a maternal sister to the 16,000gns Castleisle Capaldi.

At €4,600, the next highest-priced gimmer, Lot 36, was again snapped up by a UK breeder and was the property of AS&P O’Keeffe’s Clyda flock.

This powerful gimmer was sired by the 20,000gns Castleisle Kilteskin Prince and was scanned carrying twins to Ballinatone BT Buddy.

A&R Wilson also received €4,000 for Lot 41, another daughter of Limestone T-Rex, and this time out of a Shannagh Resolve ewe. She was also carrying twins to Crewelands Frontline.

Highest price ewe lamb at €4,000. \ Alfie Shaw

Ewe lambs also met a very lively trade, with the top price of €4,000 going to a very smart ewe lamb, with an exceptional carcase from AS&P O’Keeffe’s Annakisha flock. She was sired by the aforementioned Castleisle Kilteskin Prince out of a Rookery Classic ewe.