The 2022 Premier Sale did not disappoint with a good number of sheep entered and quality on display on the day. Whilst there wasn’t the record breaking prices of last year, buyers paid premium prices for the top ram lambs and there were eleven lots making over 1000gns and a good clearance for the females. Bidding on Marteye has enabled breeders from all over the country to get involved with the sale and sheep went to all corners of the UK from Scotland, Kent & Cornwall.

Top price of 2200gns was achieved by the Champion from the pre sale show trimmed ram lamb class. David, Denise and Harry Middleditch from the St Paul flock, Norfolk fought off strong competition to win the class under judge Jim Fletcher, Loughan Moss flock from Northern Ireland. This powerful lamb was sired by a home bred ram with Ashley and Ballycreelly breeding in his background and out of a homebred ewe by a Thorbeck sire. This lamb makes his way to the Hertford Flock for Harry Elsdon from Hertfordshire.

Second highest price of the day was 2000gns for the Royal Ulster (Balmoral) Show Champion from the Ballycreelly Flock of Kevin & Anna McCarthy, Co Down. This lamb was unshown on the day and is by Creelly Superstar and is in the top 1% for SR index and top 5% for maternal traits. This lamb heads to Derbyshire with Stephanie Percival for the Catchadown Flock.

1900gns was realised for the only entry from Adrian Rundle, Treworthal Flock from Cornwall. This lamb was 1^st prize in the recorded ram lamb class. This lot is in the top 1% for muscle depth and by Graylen Churchill. The lamb will stay in the Westcountry going to a stalwart of the breed, Henry Derryman for the Yarcombe Flock in Devon.

Females were in demand again with a clearance rate of 92%. Topping the day was a very flashy shearling ewe from Graham & Judith Galbraith, Graylen Flock, Cumbria making 1020gns. This lady packs in style, pedigree and figures being in the top 10% for growth and winning the shearling ewe class. This will be the start of a flock for Butcher George Cropper who bought rams last year and has been really pleased with the lambs.

1000gns was the top paid for ewe lambs and achieved by Jim & Jane Birkwood, Thorbeck Flock from Lincolnshire. Another lamb that combines looks and figures being in the top 1% for terminal sire index, maternal index, scan weight and 8 week weight. She sells to J&S Livestock who are just starting up their Seawell Flock in Northamptonshire.

Shearling rams peaked at 720gns for the Stourfield Flock of Jon Barnard & Justine McPherson from Devon. By Greenwell Merlin and out of a homebred ewe this ram was bought by RG Elliott & Son, Northamptonshire

Female Champion went to Austyn Chapman and Nikki Wadkins from the Eppleby Flock, Yorkshire. This January born lamb was sired by the well known Graylen Laird and out of a Loughbrae ewe from Northern Ireland. She made 680gns and sold to James Dickson in Carmarthenshire for the Cynnen Flock.

Other leading prices:

1780gns Ram Lamb from G&J Galbraith (Graylen)

1600gns Ram Lam from J Heywood & Sons (Thornfalcon)

1600gns Ram Lamb from D&D Middleditch and Son (St Paul)

1550gns Ram Lamb from J&J Birkwood (Thorbeck)

1150gns Ram Lamb from Chapman & Wadkins (Eppleby)

1100gns Ram Lamb from McFarlane & Rennie (Lecropt)

950gns Shearling Ewe from G&J Galbraith (Graylen)

900gns Shearling Ewe from Barnard & McPherson (Stourfield)

Auctioneers: HALLS

Averages:

27 Ram Lambs £936.05

7 Shearling Rams £520.50

20 Shearling Ewes £486.15

16 Ewe Lambs £479.72

Show Results: Judge Jim Fletcher, LOUGHAN MOSS