²ÝÁñÉçÇø

Record average for Texel rams lambs in Ballymena

A trio of 10,000gns bids helped deliver a record ram lamb average of £1,508.17 at the Northern Irish National Texel sale at Ballymena

clock • 2 min read
Forkins Hawkeye
Image:

Forkins Hawkeye

The first 10,000gns bid came for the champion from the pre-sale show, Forkins Hawkeye from Alastair Gault, Newtownabbey. This son of the 100,000gns Strathbogie Gypsy King Ìýout of a dam by Sportsmans Dare Devil has a texelplus index in the top 5% of the breed.

It sold in a five-way split to James Wilkinson, Ballygroogan, John Trimble, Curley, Adrian Liggett, Corbo, Philip Whyte, Innisrush and Stanley and Martin Warnock, Straidarran.

Next at 10,000gns was the first of two from Jonny Cubitt, Ballymena, in the form of Drumcon Hall of Fame. Again by Gypsy King out of a Rhaeadr-bred dam by Teiglum Younggun and a maternal brother to the 160,000gns Rhaeadr First Choice, it sold to Stephen Etherson, Killans, with a half share retained.

Drumcon Hall of Fame

The other at this price was Drumcon History Maker, another by Gypsy King. Out of another Rhaeadr-bred dam, this time by Garngour Envoy II, it sold to Douganhill Farms, Castle Douglas, and Nick Legge, Leominster.

Drumcon History Maker

Next at 6,000gns was the reserve overall champion from Ivanna Strawbridge, Coleraine. This was Lynbrook Hercules, another by Strathbogie Gypsy King out of a dam by Strathbogie Dirty Dancer. It was bought by the judge, John Greene. Co Donegal.

Shearling rams peaked at 4,000gns for Artnagullion Godfather from Brian and William McAllister, Kells. The son of Blackadder Doddie out of a dam by Midlock Yohann sold to A. J. Robinson, Downpatrick.

Artnagullion Godfather


At 3,600gns from Henry Gamble, Co Down, was the first prize shearling, Springwell GI, a Ballydesland Eddie son which was bought by T. Hynes, Newry.

Leading the female trade at 7,500gns was the section champion, a Coniston Equinox daughter out of a Knap-bred dam by Sportsmans Cannon Ball from Mark Priestley's Seaforde flock, Downpatrick. The buyer was Alan Blackwood, Muirkirk.

Top price gimmer from Seaforde flock

At 3,000gns from Martin McConville's Glenhone flock, Co Down, was a Sportsmans Dare Devil daughter which bought by W M Doherty, Glebe, Co Donegal.

Averages -189 ram lambs, £1,509.17; 66 shearling rams, £1,399.20; 13 gimmers, £1,530.58.

Auctioneers: J A McClelland and Son.

For more shows and sales: Click here

Ìý

More on Shows & Sales

Why Hexham and Northern Marts is investing in the future of livestock markets

Why Hexham and Northern Marts is investing in the future of livestock markets

In this latest instalment of the Mart's the Heart: Standing the Test of Time series, supported by the Livestock Auctioneers Association and Shearwell Data, Ellie Layton hears from the team at Hexham and Northern Marts about how they are driving the business forward

clock 06 May 2026 • 6 min read
Sales round-up: Pedigree day at Skipton, breeding cattle record at Stirling, plus South Devons and dairy sales

Sales round-up: Pedigree day at Skipton, breeding cattle record at Stirling, plus South Devons and dairy sales

Catch up with reports from recent livestock auctions including Worcester, Darlington, Market Drayton, Stirling and Skipton

clock 06 May 2026 • 4 min read
Another top title and price for Goldies Limousins

Another top title and price for Goldies Limousins

An increased average of £569 on the year and a clearance rate of 97% were the highlights of the British Limousin Cattle Society sale at Carlisle where the Goldie family, Dumfries claimed another championship and top price

clock 05 May 2026 • 2 min read