There was a strong trade for sheep at the 2023 Hampshire Down NI club Premier export sale on Saturday 24^th of June held at Beattie’s Livestock Mart, Omagh. Bids came from online clients as well as from those present in the mart and saw a 100% clearance of females, with successful bidders from including some from France, Yorkshire, ROI and Northamptonshire.

Annora Whitley of the Eldron Flock Co. Meath, whose flock was established in 1982 had the hard task judging the classes. Her Champion came from the Ballycreelly Flock of K P & A E McCarthy, Comber. This smart ram lamb was sired by Ballycreelly Homerun, the top priced ram at the societies Premier Sale in 2020 and out of a homebred ewe. A very well grown ram with width and plenty of style. He was bought for the top male price of 750gns by Tony McGrath for his Clogherny Flock and heading back to Brantry Dungannon

Females took the top price of the day realising 800gns for the Reserve Champion from the show classes and was presented by J, A & Jonathan Fletcher, Loughan Moss Flock. This impressive strong ewe stood out to the Judge seeing her placed 1^st in her class and then being crowned Reserve Champion. This homebred shearling ewe sired by Loughan Moss Gamma and from a home bred ewe, comes from a strong line, seeing her sisters being placed in RUAS 1^st,2^nd and 5^th this year and was bought by breeder Rodney Wilson. Speaking after the sale, buyer Rodney said, “she is a very striking ewe and will be a great addition to the flock”.

There were some very nice ewe lambs shown and a lovely lamb from K P & A E McCarthy’s Ballycreelly flock winning the class. This ewe lamb was purchased by an online bidder for 520gns and is heading to Northamptonshire.

The club would like to thank Richard Beattie and all his staff at Beatties Livestock sale, our Judge Mrs Annora Whitley and our sponsor of the day Danske Bank.

Averages

Ram Lambs £450

Shearling Ewes £544

Ewe lambs  £500.

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