Mark Priestley’s Seaforde flock cemented its reputation as one of the leaders in the Texel breed in Northern Ireland when it took the top call of 30,000gns at the Northern Ireland National Texel Sale, Ballymena.
Taking this lead piece was Seaforde Joshua, a son of the 15,000gns Hilltop Icon out of a dam by Auldhouseburn Gazza. After a frenzied bidding battle he was knocked down ton Alastair Gault, Forkins.
Second best at 20,000gns was Cherrylea Johnny’s Pride from young breeder Charlie Trimble. Sired by Southern Ireland bred Speenogue Ignite, he’s out of a dam by Garngour Challenger and was the pick of a consortium of Scottish breeders in the form of Stuart Barclay, Harestone, Andrew Clark, Teiglum, Kerr Jarvie, Duncryne and the MacGregor family, Allanfauld.
Following him at 15,000gns was the best of the day from Richard Henderson, Ballynahone Jagerbomb. He’s by the privately purchased Douganhill Gangster and out of a dam by Rhaeadr Entrepreneur. He was bought by Kenneth Wilson for the Firgrove flock, Ballymena.
Then making 12,000gns was The Rock Jock from the Harkin family. He’s a son of homebred sire The Rock Icon and is out of a dam by Harestone Eldorado. This one was the pick of Martin and Cyril Millar for the Millars flock.
Top ram lamb averages
| Prefix | Number Sold | Average |
| Ballynahone | Two | £8400 |
| Seaforde | Six | £7122 |
| Auldhouseburn | Two | £6562 |
| The Rock | Five | £6510 |
| Ballei | Four | £4698 |
| Derryvore | Four | £3937 |
| Carmavy | Two | £3832 |
| Millars | Six | £3727 |
| Largy | Six | £3657 |
| Forkins | Four | £3215 |
A trio then sold at 10,000gns, the first of which was Ballei Jumbo from John McPolin. This son of Brackenridge Fly Half is out of a dam by Sportsmans Cannon Ball and was knocked down to Alan Clark, Garngour, with a half share taken by the Grant family for the Aurlas flock.
Martin and Cyril Millar then recouped some of their earlier outlay when taking the second 10,000gns call of the day for Millars Jaw Dropper. Sired by Bellefield Im The Boy and out of a dam by Largy Grizzly Bear. This one sold in a three-way split to Adrian Liggett, Corbo, James Wilkinson, Ballygroogan and Andrew Kennedy, Maineview.
Third at this price was The Rock Jack Hammer from the Harkin family. He’s another by The Rock Icon and is out of a dam by Harestone Fast N Furious. He sold to Stephen Conway for the Quarry flock, Strabane.
Alastair Gault sold his best at 8000gns. This was Forkins Jack, a Ballynahone Istabraq son out of a dam by Sportsman’s Dare devil and sold to join the Orrisdale flock of the Kermode family on the Isle of Man.
Selling at 7500gns was Largy John Boy from Eugene Branagan. He’s by Knap Hammerhead and out of a Knap-bred dam by Sportsmans Cannon Ball, having stood second in the pre-sale show. He went to David McIlwaine, for the Mistyburn flock, Ballymena.
Close behind at 7000gns was Auldhouseburn Just Magic from Alan Blackwood. This one is by 22,000gns sire The Rock Icon and out of a Seaforde-bred dam by Coniston Equinox. This one went to the McPolin family, Mayobridge for the Tamnaharry flock.
Then making 6500gns was Kiltariff Jonah from the Bell family. This one had been champion in the pre-sale show and is by Drumcon Impression and out of a dam by Knap Bonanza. He went home with J Browne, Omagh.
Three then shared a 6000gns call, with the first of these being Drumcon Jack the Lad from Jonny Cubitt. This Holtridge Honky Tonk son is out of a Ballynahone-bred dam by Garngour Emerald. He found a new home with the Millen family for the Kildollagh flock, Coleraine.
Second at this price Derryvore Juggernaut from Owen and Liam Donohoe. He’s by the 10,000gns Forkins Hawkeye and out of a Grangour-bred dam by Procters Chumba Wumba and sold to Brian Hanthorn, Mullan.
The final 6000gns call came for Carmavy Jack Of Diamonds from the McCollam family. He’s by Auldhouseburn Izzi Bizzi and out of a dam by Hilltop Goliath and was knocked down to Alan Blackwood, Auldhouseburn.
Averages: 207 ram lambs £2128 (J A McClelland and Sons).