Records set at Welsh National Sale

 A brace of new centre records and record averages in both the shearling ewe and shearling ram sections marked out this year’s Welsh National Texel Sale, Welshpool as one to remember.

It was the shearling ewes which provided the day’s top call and new breed and female centre record of 7800gns, with the shearling ram trade setting a new centre male record.

Texel Society chief executive John Yates said these high prices coupled with record averages in both sections and clearance rates of more than 80% for both gimmers and shearling tups proved the popularity of the breed in Wales and latent demand for Texel breeding stock.

“The Welsh National, the second National Sale for the breed in the space of four days saw both pedigree and commercial breeders compete for quality genetics. To have set new records at Welshpool just two days after a bumper sale at Lanark is testament to the work of Texel breeders in producing commercially relevant sheep suited to the modern market.”

Top call of the sale came for the female and overall champion from Peter Woof’s Stainton flock, Kendal. This was WPS1600905, a daughter of Eden Valley Warrior out of a dam by Stainton Richochet and sold with an index of 362. She was the choice of local breeder Paul Delves, Church Stoke.

Second best of the gimmers was a 5800gns bid by Herefordshire-based Peter Vaughan, the underbidder on the champion. He was successful in buying the second prize gimmer and reserve female champion from Robert Cockburn’s Knap flock. This was CKP1600868, an ET bred daughter of Springwell Viera out of a dam by Baltier Rascal.

Following her at 4000gns was Messrs Jones’ gimmer from the Racecourse flock, JAF1604289. She is by Stainton Warrier and out of a dam by Glenside Sexpistol and sold to G Deakins, Heyhope, Powys.

Then making 3000gns was Gordon Gray’s best of the day, GGH1606110. Sired by Shannagh Won-O-Won, she is out of a Llyfni Usain Bolt daughter and sold with an index of 409 when bought by Patrick Blee, Dunamanagh, Co Tyrone.

And the Gray family were behind the next top when David Gray sold one from his Tima flock at 2800gns. This was GCT1606294, a Procters Vantastic daughter out of a dam by Glenside Ring A Ding. This one was knocked down to R Lloyd, Llangwyin.

Peter Vaughan was then back in buying mood when paying 2500gns for WEV1600676 from Richard Wilson’s Eden Valley flock. She is by Sportsmans Tremendous II and out of an Angelzarke Uno daughter.

Shearling Rams

Leading trade in the male section at 6100gns was the top priced shearling rams, Tom Ryder’s first prize shearling ram and reserve male champion, Ryders Young Gun. This son of Sportsmans V8 is out of a Caereinion Number One daughter and sold to Red House Farm, Newtown.

Second best here was a 5000gns bid for one from Cefyn Pryce’s Caereinion flock. Bred from a dam from the same family as the top priced shearling tup, this one is by Brackenridge Strongbow and carries an index of 409. Taking this one home were L Hadfield and Sons, Peak Forest Derbyshire.

Third top of 2000gns was paid for another from Tom Ryder, Ryders Yorkie. He’s a full brother to the 6100gns tup and was bought by Messrs Creer, Ballyglonney, Isle Of Man.

Close behind at 1700gns was Caereinion You’re the Boy from Cefyn Pryce. This Clun Venturer son is out of an Einon Orion dam and was the choice of J P L Owens, Rhayader.

And at 1500gns was Whitehart Yeoman from Jim and Nicola Hartwright. Sired by Loosebeare Ultimo he is out of a dam by Broomeknowes Lion King and sold to J F Robinson and Son, Church Preen.

Ram Lambs

Trade for ram lambs was more selective, with many breeders having made new stock ram purchases in Lanark just days earlier.

Best of the sale was a 3900gns bid for Daniel Jones’ second prize ram lamb from the pre-sale show, Aldan Adonis. He is by Eden Valley Wiz Kid and out of a dam by Connachan Sharky and found a new home with the Wilkinson family for their Arkle and Ellen Valley flocks, Cumbria.

Then at 2200gns was the first prize ram lamb and male champion, a lamb from Rober Cockburn’s Knap flock, CKP1701753. He’s by Clinterty Yuga Khan and out of a dam by Baltier Rascal and was bought by Tynybryn Farms, Tregynon.

The third top ram lamb price of 1500gns was paid for Carl Henry Bellis’ Cosyn Texels Amazon. This son of Arkle Youre In is out of a dam by Ettrick Sir Alan and sold to T E Duggan and Son, Ivington, Herefordshire.

Averages; 67 shearling ewes £933.56 (+£303.25), 34 shearling rams £1118.56 (+£121.78), 83 ram lambs £654.48 (-£14.02) (Welshpool Livestock Sales).