Mellor Vale Lionheart - 60,000gns
Averages were up significantly from 2024 at this year's Beltex Premier Sale, despite bluetongue restrictions which saw the fixture split into two sales, held on either side of the border at Carlisle and Lockerbie. Strong trade was driven especially by the ram lamb entries, which were up by nearly £1,000 on average.
Ram lambs
Leading the way at 60,000gns and topping the Carlisle sale and both days was Mellor Vale Lionheart from Rosie Boden, Mellor, Stockport. Born in February, he is by the 20,000gns Lipley Hugo Boss and is out of Woodies Jewel In The Crown.
He sold in a half-share to Harry Wood, Dutton, Lancashire, and James Wannop, Morecambe, Lancashire.
At Lockerbie, trade was led by the 50,000gns Lurg Lucifer from Alan Miller of Miller Farms, Aberdeenshire. A January-born son of Mellor Vale King Kong, himself a 10,000gns purchase, and out of Heatheryhall Helena, he stood supreme champion in the pre-sale show under judge James Wannop, who said ‘he stood out from the word go.'
Earlier this month, Lucifer had won the interbreed sheep championship at Dumfries Show, and he was knocked down in a three-way split to DG Farming, Lockerbie; Messrs McQuistin, Newton Stewart; and Messrs Buckle, Kirkby Stephen.
Making 18,000gns was Barleyclose Lucifer from M.J. Wells and Son, Derbyshire. By Kingledores Godzilla and out of Ardstewart Hanky-Panky, he won second prize ram lamb at Carlisle was sold to Rosie Boden, of the Mellor Vale flock.
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Shearlings
Shearling ram trade peaked at 15,000gns for Matt's Kracken (pictured) from Matthew Burleigh, Co Fermanagh, Northern Ireland.
By Todhall Hurricane and out of a homebred ewe, Matt's Haribo, Kracken was sold in a four-way share between Messrs Wylie and Son, Kirriemuir; Messrs Burke, Blairgowrie; Messrs Laing, Biggar; and Messrs Baillie, Carstairs.
Swffryd Kick Ass from Aled Groucott, Inverness, was next best at 12,000gns. By Heatheryhall Jumanji and out of Swffryd Golden Girl, he was knocked down to Messrs Wainwright, Cupar, Fife. Kick Ass had already stood Beltex supreme champion at the Royal Welsh Show this season, and took second place shearling ram in the pre-sale show at Lockerbie.
Also at 12,000gns was Tullylagan Kingsman from S. and J. Hammond, Ayrshire, which sold to Messrs Wood, Biggar. The February-born ram is by Tullylagan Hurricane and out of a homebred ewe, Tullylagan Gabby.
At the same money, also selling for 12,000gns, were two entries from James Wannop, Morecambe. Wannop's Kingsley, by Brilley Huntsman and out of Wannop's Florence, sold to Messrs Hall, Carlisle.
And flock-mate, Wannop's Kirkby, also by Brilley Huntsman and out of Karmijn V/D Drie Musschen, was knocked down to Page Farm Partnership, Ripon, North Yorkshire.
Females
The leading female was Bronic Kiara from N.L. and C.J. Brown, Lancaster, which sold for 15,000gns.
By Smart Ass Jaw Dropper and out of Bronic Flower, she took the championship at Carlisle under judge James Wannop, who praised her as ‘a very much worthy champion'.
"I've never really seen a gimmer with as much head as that, but with size with it as well," he said.
The gimmer was purchased by Miller Farms, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire.
Reflecting on his judging across both marts, Mr Wannop said: "It was a shame about the situation with a split sale, but the turnout of sheep was impressive. I thoroughly enjoyed it and both my champions stood out to me."
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Averages
5 aged rams, £1,407; 339 shearling rams, £1,913.76; 90 ram lambs, £3,203.66; 108 shearling gimmers, £1,015.
Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.
