Hampshire Downs Sheep NI hit the button once again.

The Premier Hampshire Down NI sheep timed online Sale hit the button once again this year, seeing three quarters of the sheep being sold.

Buyers from EU, UK, ROI, and NI all sat with their fingers on the button to purchase their new breeding stock for 2026.

The sale kicked of straight away with the first 2 lots from Josephine Wray’s, Knockstacken flock being sold to NI breeders, Bryan Gardiner, Ballylesson Flock and A & V McFadden’s Ashley flock.

The demand for new breeding stock rams continued, seeing a 62% clearance in the ram Lambs. A strong boned Ram lamb sired by Yarcombe Flashman and from a Lenaderg homebred ewe, of Peter & Harry Stevenson, Lenaderg flock sold to Joe & Sophie Dilibero, Seawell Flock in Northants, England for £1080.

Another striking Ram lamb sired by Ballycreelly Epic and from a Loughbrea homebred ewe, of Sean & Gillian Doyle’s, Loughbrae Livestock sold to £1060 to John Grossick, Rockhall Flock, Drumfriesshire, followed by another Ram Lamb sired by Kildowney Cannonball from the same flock selling to £1040 to Harries & B Davies, Pembrokeshire.

French buyers were also busy with Nicolas Mary from Rouen, Normandy buying the highest index performance ram sired by Seawell Explosive from Kevin and Anna McCarthy’s, Ballycreelly flock for £1000.

The demand for breeding females was clearly seen with a 78% clearance. A lovely shearling ewe sired by Ballyvester Consensus from J, A, & J Fletchers, Loughanmoss Flock sold to £1000 to Peter Hamill of the Lisnagowan Flock, Dungannon.

Another two strong shearling ewes, one sired by Ballycreelly Warrior and another by Ballycreelly Homerun from Kevin & Anna McCarthy’s Ballycreelly Flock sold to William Wylie, Newbridge Flock, Newtownards for £940 each.

With a 100% clearance in the Ewe lambs, a very sharp ewe lamb sired by Kildowney Cannonball and from a homebred ewe, from Peter & Francis Lawson, Glenbrook Flock sold to £1160 to fellow breeder Adam Gregg, Kildowney Flock, Ballymena.

Another attractive ewe lamb sired by Power Pack sold for £1040 from Graham Mansons, Dunraven Flock to R. Casey, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare.

Several other lots were purchased by French buyers who were keen to refresh their bloodlines.

The overall sale saw 54% of the sheep sold staying in Northern Ireland, and 46% heading to the EU and UK.

The Hampshire Down NI breeders would like to thank all the bidders for their continued support and to H & H and Anna McGregor for all their hard work in making this sale possible.

Next event on the Calendar is Hampshire Down NI National show, Saturday 13th June, Armagh show.