Loosebeare Ferrari from the Quick family, Devon, led the ram trade at the English National Texel Sale, Worcester, with this shearling selling for 13,000gns.
Sired by the 8200gns Whitehart Class Act and out of a dam by Crookholm Bouncer, he was knocked down after fierce competition to a brace of Scottish breeders, A Gray and Son, Languid and P Gray, Scrogtonhead.
A resounding trade throughout resulted in a 91% clearance in the shearlings on offer with 80 sold to level at a second best ever average of £2518.13, with 35 more sold than 12 months earlier.
Second best in the shearlings at 12,500gns was another of the Loosebeare pen, Loosebeare Five Star. Living up to his name, this one is Crookholm Bouncer and is out of a Loosebeare Voomer daughter. He was also split two ways, selling to a brace of Worcestershire breeders in the shape of Jim and Nicola Hartwright, Whitehart and the Dorrell family, Stonegrove.
Close behind at 12,000gns was Duhonw Fireball from Michael James and family. He’s by Meinspride Usain and out of a dam by Garngour Awesome and after spirited bidding fell to Gary and Meinir Howells for the Shadog flock.
Another from the same home took the next top call of 9000gns, with this being Duhonw Fire Cracker, the first prize shearling and reserve male champion from the pre-sale show. He’s another by Usain Bolt and is a full ET brother to the 12,000gns Fireball. Taking this one home were Neil and Matthew Ellis for the Cressage and Scholars flocks.
Then making 7500gns was the best of a strong run from Jim and Nicola Hartwright, Whitehart First Class. He’s by the homebred Whitehart Big Style and out of a Loosebeare Voomer daughter and was knocked down to P L and O J Watkins, Caenantmelyn and the Smith family, Slapton.
A pair then followed at 7000gns, with the first being Caron Furious from the Williams family. This second prize winner from the pre-sale show is by Tullylagan Commander and out of a Tamnamoney Yeti daughter and had previously stood first at the Royal Welsh Show. He was bought by Mark James for the Ripperston flock.
Second at this level was another from the Hartwrights, Whitehart Four Square. He’s by Brijon Deal Breaker and out of a dam by Loosebeare Yahoo and sold to Einon Probert and Sons for their Mortimers flock.
Next best was a pair at 5500gns, the first of which was Whitehart Full Of It, another by Brijon Deal Breaker and this time out of a dam by Strawfrank Wild Thing. He was taken by R and M Rottenbury and Son, Chipstaple, Taunton.
The other at this money was Matthew Ellis’ Cressage Frenzy, a Knock Eagle Eye son out of a dam by Scholars YSL. He found a new home with Marlsborough Farm for the Marlsborough flock.
Three then followed that at 4500gns. First was Mershott Fast Ball from John Elliot, with this one being by Walston Clansman and out of a Brackenridge Strongbow daughter and sold with a texelplus index in the top 25% of the breed. He headed away with Messrs Furness and Taylor, Westgate.
The next at this price was Clun Fireball from the Roger Williams and family. He’s by the homebred Clun Diamond and out of a dam by Blore View Winger and was the pick of Owen Williams, Solbury.
The third and final 4500gns sale was for Whitehart Falcon from the Hartwrights. Another by Brijon Deal Breaker, he is out of a Cherryvale Shergar-sired dam and sold to join T and E Vaughan for their Vaughan flock.
A brace then traded at 4000gns. First up was Halbeath Flash from Robin and Caroline Orr. This son of the 32,000gns Caron Dynamite is out of a Knock Bantastic daughter and was taken home by Giles Pyman, Thacka.
And taking the same bid was Corras Flintoff from Robert and Nesta Watkins, with this one being by Loosebeare Braveheart and out of a dam by Corras Armidale. This one headed east to Essex with Robin Creighton, Endway.
Close behind at 3800gns was Roxburgh Finest Hour from John Elliot, a son of the £65,000 Campsie Drambuie and out of a Hightecs Yorick daughter. He was bought by R G and R A Jones and Son, Rowlestone.
A 3500gns call then secured Whitehart Freestyle from the Hartwrights. This son of Brijon Deal Breaker is out of a Canllefaes Boxer daughter and headed away with Dafyd Evans, Bwlch Y Gwynt.
Averages; 80 shearling rams £2518.13 (+£26.13) (McCartneys).