High demand for Hampshire Downs
The annual Hampshire Downs Export in-lamb and ram sale at Beattie’s livestock centre on Saturday the 19th of September saw a strong demand for stock with a 100% clearance of all lots. There were many purchasers present from throughout Ireland with additionally on-line buyers from Great Britain and the Netherlands
Mr Adrian Rundle of Cornwall had been asked to Judge the show section of the sale and afterwards commented on the excellent quality of the stock on offer. Indeed during the sale, he purchased 3 lots for his own flock in Cornwall.
The club were very grateful that Strabane mills sponsored the Female and Male classes, with Fane Valley sponsoring the Championship.
In the Aged Ewe class, first prize was awarded to a well-developed strong ewe from Kevin McCarthy’s Ballycreelly flock. That ewe was sired by Creelly Superstar a ram with the high maternal index in the breed. This ewe later went on to be sold for 680 gns and is heading to her new home in ROI with Mr Ciaran Cleary.
In the shearling Ewe Class, a Ewe from Kevin McCarthy’s, Creelly flock, sired by Glenbrook Rolex was placed first and then went on to be placed Reserve Female Champion on the day. This ewe sold for £850 to Mr O’Neill, in NI.
The biggest class of the day came with the ewe lambs, and they presented a strong class for the judge’s consideration. This class was sponsored by Fane Valley.
A very well grown ewe lamb from Rodney Wilson’s, Aimney Flock was placed first. This ewe lamb sired by Moneycarragh Gold finger and out of an Aimney Ewe impressed the judge and later she was placed Female Champion and sold for 1050 gns to Judge Adrian Rundle. The female champion was sponsored by Agri Lloyd.
The class for a pair of ewe lambs again sponsored by Fane Valley. This class saw My Rodney Wilson’s Aimney flock being placed first with two sisters. Kevin McCarthy’s pair was placed second, followed by A&V McFadden’s pair being placed third.
The demand for Females, with new breeders starting and breeders adding to their flock was clear, with another ewe from Rodney Wilsons, Aimney flock selling to 950 gns to Mr McGuckian. A smart ewe lamb from Adam Gregg’s Kildowney flock sold to 950 gns and headed to the Netherlands to Mr Beers, along with another ewe lamb from Sean Doyle’s, Loughbrea Livestock for 800 gns to Mr Beers, Netherlands.
There was a good trade for the rams especially following ABP’S recent announcement of a contract with a major retailer offering a substantial premium for Hampshire Down sired lambs.
A high Signet performance ram from the Ballycreelly flock sold for 1050 gns to join the new flock of Mr O’Neill from NI along with his other purchases.
Following this a strong boned ram lamb from Adam Greggs, Kildowney flock, sired by Ashley Ulsterman sold to 900 gns to Mr Davidson, NI.
The male Champion from the flock of Kevin McCarthy sired by Ballycreelly Epic, and recently exported to The Netherlands, was purchased to Kenny Preston for 750 gns for his daughter’s growing flock of Hampshires in Omagh.
There was a small offer of shearling rams following recent other sales but a well grown shearling Ram from Dermott Gardiners, Ballycreggy flock was placed first in that class. This ram sired by Graylen Quartz was later sold to commercial breeder in NI.
The club would like to thank Richard Beattie and staff at Beattie’s Livestock Sales, Judge Adrian Rundle, Cornwall, for travelling over. Also, to our sponsors, Fane Valley, Strabane Mills and Agri Lloyd for their continued support.

Male Champion Kevin McCarthy CREELLY Ram Lamb Reserve Male Champion Kevin McCarthy BALLYCREELLY Ram Lamb	Female Champion Rodney Wilson AIMNEY Ewe Lamb Reserve Female Champion Kevin McCarthy BALLYCREELLY, Shearling Ewe