John Waton’s Duvarren Houston saw lift off in the shearling ram trade at the Northern Ireland National Sale, Ballymena, taking the day’s top call of 4800gns on a trade which recorded a 96% clearance and an average of £1961.46 for the 72 sold.
Sale leader, Houston, is by the homebred Duvarren Colorado and out of a dam by Duvarren Whizz-Kid. He was take by R Cowan.
Next in line at 4000gns was Gareth Tumelty’s best of the day, Aideshill Hedgehunter. Sired by the 23,000gns Peacehay Ya Belter, he’s out of a dam by Scrogtonhead Class Act and sold to John Watson, Duvarren.
Brian and William McAllister then took 3600gns for their leader, Artnagullion Highflyer. He’s a son of Blackadder Doddie and out of a dam by Midlock Yohann and was bought by Karl O’Mullan.
Then making 3400gns was another from John Watson, Duvarren Hugh Jazz, a Mount Prospect Efrain son out of a dam by Duvarren Colorado. He was the pick of Gary Logue.
Top Shearling Ram Averages
| Prefix | Number Sold | Average |
| Duvarren | Five | £3003 |
| Aideshill | Six | £2765 |
| Tamnamoney | Three | £2660 |
| Artnagullion | Five | £2604 |
| Ballycoose | Four | £2572 |
| Ballydesland | Four | £2152 |
| Corbally | Three | £2135 |
| Milestonehill | Five | £1974 |
| Springwell | Three | £1855 |
| Ballyrussel | Four | £1693 |
And the same buyer then paid 3000gns for another from the same home, Duvarren Haka. He’s by the homebred Duvarren Colorado and out of a dam by Blackstown Yule.
Fraser and Helen Tweed then took the same money for their best, Ballycoose Homer. He’s by Incheoch Fibonacci and out of a dam by Fearn Dusautor. Selling with a top 5% index he was taken by Danny Creer, Coolingel.
Gareth Tumelty then sold a pair at 2800gns, this first of which was Aideshill Hugo D, a son of Scrogtonhead Class Act and out of a dam by Aideshill Crackerjack. He headed home with W and I Hanna.
Meanwhile, the second of these was Aideshill Hole In One. This son of Peacehay Ya Belter is out of an Aideshill Crackerjack daughter and sold to McIrath Farms.
Another 2800gns bid came for one from Brian and William McAllister, Artnagullion Honeymonster. This is a by Blackadder Doddie and out of a dam by Midlock Yohann and found a new home with R J Mowbray.
A final 2800gns sale was made for Philip Dodds’ best, Straidarran Hakka. He’s by Seaforde Gentleman Jack and out of a dam by Sportamsn Cannon Ball. Selling with a top 10% index he was taken by Messrs Bruce.
Average; 72 shearling rams £1961.46 (J A McClelland and Son).