The success of this year’s annual Texel sale at Balmoral Park Lisburn led by auctioneer Richard Beattie, Beattie Livestock Sales was not deterred by COVID-19.
Despite social distancing measures the sale was supported with online bidding to reach a top price of 1080gns.
Martin McConville, Glenhone Texels, Rathfriland, realised the top price of 1080gns when selling a March born Teiglium Braveheart son out of a Plasucha All Star daughter. He sold to Ross Garrivan, Warrenpoint.
Following close behind at 1020gns was Crumlin-based breeder Mark Patterson with Alderview Dynamic. This Arkle Awesome son out of a Midlock Yorkie dam moves to Omagh to join Derek Beattie’s Dunbreen Flock. His dam is maternal sister to Alderview Barrister.
Brian Hanthorn was next in line with Mullan Dynamite. His Deveronvale Aftershock son out of a Strathbogie Yabba Dabba Doo daughter sold for 980gns to E and J Speers, Hamiltonsbawn, Armagh and has an index of 229 and ranks in the top 5% of the breed.
Demand continued when Coleraine-based breeder Martin Millar, sold his second lamb into the ring Millars Diamond for 880gns. This Lauder Cobra son out of a Charben Yankee Boy daughter has figures ranking in the top 1% of the breed and heads to Ballymoney to join Henry Etherson’s flock.
Graham Rodgers, Bohard, maintained prices handing over 875gns for Cookstown-based breeder Neil Watson’s Findrum pen leader. Findrum Del Boy is a Mullan Carlsberg son out of a Milnbank Avicii dam.
In the shearling rams John Watson, Downpatrick, sold his shearling ram pen leader, a homebred and son of Duvarren Aston Martin out of a homebred dam for 850gns setting the leading price for shearling rams. He moves home to join Peter Kealey’s flock in Drum.
Close on Mr Watson’s heels for the money was Ciaran Cunningham’s exhibit, Brackney Catona, a Sportsmans Yogi Bear son out of a Fairywater Superstar dam. This ram heads to Tobermore to Trevor Allen.
Selling for the same money was another of the Duvarren’s pen, a Brackenridge Strongbow son out of a homebred ewe by Duvarren Winston which was an online purchase.
Going for 800gns was Ballyrussell Cedric bred by Mary Clarke, Comber. He is sired by Ballyrussell YoYo out of a Hunters Wellies dam and was purchased by John McCormack, Cranagh, Co Tyrone.
Average; 86 rams £507.15 (Richard Beattie Livestock Sales).
