This is a subscriber-only article
Once again, some of the best Texel flocks in Northern Ireland came together for the ninth annual northern stars in-lamb Texel sale in Ballymena Livestock Mart.
The sale, which has gained significant traction over the years, included consignments from Richard Henderson (Ballynahone), Victor and David Chestnutt (Clougher & Bushmills), Paul and Baillie O’Connor (Drumgooland & Windermere), Alastair and Jack Gault (Forkins & Cherryvale) and Roger Strawbridge (Tamnamoney).
Last year saw a Forkins and Cherryvale flock ewes sell for a massive £10,500. This year surpassed all expectations, when over 40% of females forward reached a four-figure price tag, with a 98% clearance.
However, the icing on the cake was when lot 45 HRB1600762 went on to sell for a whopping 19,000gns, setting a new Northern Ireland record price for a Texel female.
Lot 46 HBR1600780 from Richard Henderson, Ballynahone Texels, Tobermore, which sold to Proctor Farms Ltd, Lancashire, for 5,000gns.
This record-setting gimmer came from the Ballynahone flock of Richard Henderson. Sired by Duncryne Uber Cool, this special ewe is out of a Braehead Touch of Class dam and sold scanned for two in-lamb to Halbeath Woody, who won stock ram of the year in the NI flock competition 2017.
This gimmer comes from a well-proven line, being an ET full sister to the 7,500gns Yorkie, who won stock ram of the year in the Scottish club competition.
The family line also boasts a number of Northern Ireland show successes, with ET sisters and maternal sisters gaining top spots at the 2016 and 2017 Antrim Show.
A packed ringside saw prices soar, with a flurry of bids getting the sale star to her destined 19,000gns. She found a new home in Scotland with the Aberdeenshire-based Strathbogie flock of Jim Innis.
Ballynahone was back in the money when selling the second-top price directly after the record breaker. Lot 46, HRB1600780, secured a bid of 5,000gns from Lancashire-based breeders Proctors Farm Ltd.
Again sired by Duncryne Uber Cool, this time out of a Springhill Silverstone-bred mother, this gimmer’s dam was part of the Ballynahone RUAS Show team in 2013 and claimed second place in the shearling ewe class at the RUAS that year. Lot 46 also sold carrying twins to Halbeath Woody.
GCN1601761 (E) from Jack Gault, Cherryvale Texels, Newtownabbey, sold for 3,400gns to HJ Wilson Ltd, Raphoe, Co Donegal. \ Alfie Shaw
Last year’s sale leaders Alastair and Jack Gault secured the joint-top ewe price of 3,400gns for their Cheryvale and Forkins flock. GCN1601761 was sired by Usk Vale War-Lord and out of a Baltier Thunderbird dam.
This stylish ewe was well used to the show ring, having been part of the winning Volac Show Team 2017 and claiming the reserve championship at Ballymoney Show this year also.
Selling in lamb to Scotsman Ace, she heads across the border to Co Donegal to join HJ Wilson.
Matching her at the price and leading the Windermere consignment was lot 23 OCL1600567. This gimmer was also sired by Usk Vale War-Lord, but this time out of Garngour Upperclass.
OCL1600567 (E) from the Windermere Flock of Baillie O’Connor, Seaforde, sold for 3,400gns to R Hughes, LLanfairwll, Anglesey. \ Alfie Shaw
This champion ewe lamb at Newry in 2016 sold carrying twins to Milnbank American Sniper. Successful bidder at 3,400gns was R Hughes, LLanfairwll, Anglesey.
Duncryne Uber Cool proved to be in fierce demand, as Richard Henderson sold another daughter at 3,200gns. Lot 47 was out of a Springhill Silverstone-bred dam and again sold in-lamb to Halbeath Woody. This one also headed to Donegal, this time with M Grant.
The four-figure prices kept on rolling, with Roger Strawbridge’s Tamnamoney pen selling their top lot for 3,000gns.
SRY1601671 from Roger Strawbridge, Tamnamoney Texels, Coleraine, sold for 3,000gns to Stewart Ferris, Dromore, Co Down.
The much-admired Knap Wot A Nut daughter out of a Knock Travis dam is scanned for a twin pregnancy to proven sire Millar’s Windbrook. She stays local, joining Stewart Ferris’s Bellefield flock in Dromore, Co Down.
It was back to the Ballynahone pen for lot 49, HBR1600788, which went under the hammer at 2,800gns. Another by Uber Cool, scanned in lamb to twins by Halbeath Woody, she sold to local breeder John Foster of Springhill Texels.
The Forkins pen realised 2,400gns for its next best in the form of lot 76, GAF1601685. A sister to the 2017 Balmoral champion, this one carries some of the best bloodlines in the Forkins flock and was purchased by the Findrum Texel Flock of WT Watson.
Trade was consistent, with the average for 85 females sold at £1,369, well up on last year’s sale, which saw 77 sold at an average of £1,293.
Angus top 4,600gns at Dungannon
SHARING OPTIONS: