It was a day to remember for Philip and Helen Weaver, Newark, when shearling rams from ther Empire flock took three of the day’s four top prices, including the leading call of 30,000gns.
Demand was strong throughout the day, with clearances of 98% and 96% in the Clee Tomkinson and Francis run Society sale rings and 88% in the Hexham and Northen Marts ring.
Sale leader, Empire Gladiator, also the day’s top price across all breeds, had been champion in the pre-sale show and is a son of Caron Express out of a dam by Canllefaes Big Boy. After a fierce bidding battle he sold to the Ingram family, Logie Durno, with a share taken by Michael James, Duhonw.
Second best of the day was a 24,000gns bid for Caereinion Goliath from Cefin Pryce and family, Welshpool. Sired by Clun Enhancer and out of a dam by the homebred Caereinion Celtic Star, he has top a 5% texelplus index having stood second in the pre-sale show to the day’s champion. Buying this one was Andrew Reed for the family’s Scolton flock.
The Weavers then took 9000gns for Empire God Father, a Strathbogie Eagle Eye son out of a dam by Hornacott Commander. He sold in a two-way split to the Vaughan family, Kings Park and Esmor Evans, Maerdy.
Close behind at 8000gns was another from the same home, Empire Greatest Showman. This Whitehart Eye Catcher son is out of a dam by Canllefaes Big Boy and was the pick of Christopher Cornthwaite, Stumpscross.
Then at 6200gns was the best of the day from Gary and Meinir Howells. Their pen topper was Tycam Geronimo, a Greenall Everest son out of a dam by Blaencar Bandit. This one was the pick of G W Jones, Erw.
Next in line at 4900gns was Canllefaes Gold Dust from the Davies family. This son of the homebred Canllefaes Dynamite is out of a dam by Ellen Valley Capello and was knocked down to M E Jones and Son, Beulah.
After that came a 4800gns bid for Pant Gorgeous from Llion Jones, with this one being a Loosebeare Fab son out of a dam by the homebred Builth topper Pant Wolf. Buying this one was Tom Slater for the Colston flock.
A 4600gns sale then followed for Michael James and family’s JMU2314008. Sired by Wilodge Ex Factor, he’s out of a dam by Clinterty Yuga Khan.
Making 4500gns was Caereinion Granite from Cefin Pryce and family. Another by Clun Enhancer and a full ET brother to the 24,000gns Caereinion Goliath, he has a top 1% texelplus index and was bought by A Smith, Feddal Road.
Robert and Nesta Watkins were next in the money when selling Corras Gladiator at 4300gns. This son of Roxburgh Deadly Dave is out of a dam by Broomsgrove Bonzoleum and sold with a top 5% texelplus index when purchased by Georgie Helyer, Langford.
Michael James then sold another at 3600gns from the Duhonw flock. This was JMU2313984, a Wilodge Ex Factor son out of a dam by Whitehart A Lister. Buying hime were Messrs Gilbert for the Aelmund flock.
Four then followed at 3200gns, the first of which was Maerdy Gee from Esmor Evans. This son of Cressage Everest is out of a dam by Auchry Boris and was the choice of Brobury Farms, Herefordshire.
Second at this price was Empire Greedy Guts from Philip and Helen Weaver. Sired by Peacehay Donkey Kong and out of a dam by Caereinion Ammunition, he found a new home with W G Davies and Son, Hirwaun, Mid Glamorgan.
Then came the best of the day from the Quick family, Loosebeare General. Also making 3200gns he is by the £10,000 Loosebeare Chief and out of a dam by Loosebeare Voomer. He found a new home with Elgan Davies, Llwyngan.
The Morgan family then sold Blaencar General at the same price. This one is by Haymount Filmstar and out of a dam by a Strathbogie sire. Buying this one was Neil Harvey, Blackadder.
And then at 3100gns was Clun Goliath from the Williams family, Craven Arms. Sired by Teiglum Fightstar, he’s out of a dam by Tatham Hall Ur The One and headed away with G L Watkins, Lawnt.
A pair then made 3000gns, the first of which was another from the same home, Clun Guardian. Again by Teiglum Fight Star and out of a dam by Tatham Hall Ur The One, he was bought by Malcolm Yeo, Yarnscombe, Devon.
The other at this level was another from Gary and Meinir Howells, HAT2307257. This Oak Farm Extra Special Son is out of a dam by Roxburgh Winston and was sold to A J and T Snaith, Burghhill.
Averages; 527 shearling rams £1255.22 (Clee Tomkinson and Francis and Hexham and Northern Marts).