19th Annual Autumn Show and Sale
19th Annual Show & Sale
Judge Miss Ruth Jones
Champion Ewe lamb with Mr. Thomas Wright,
Miss Ruth Jones and Mr. John Henning
Reserve Champion Ram Lamb with Miss Amy McConnell,
Miss Ruth Jones and Mr. John Henning.
There was a brisk trade, from a packed ringside at the N. I. Dorset Sheep Breeders 19th Autumn Show and Sale, at Ballymena Market on Wednesday evening. The Show Championship was awarded to a stylish ewe lamb from the renowned Ballytaggart Flock belonging to Thomas Wright Ballymoney. This daughter of Huish Fred, is another winner in a long line of successes that have been produced by this sire for Thomas this year. Bidding was keen for this champion and she was eventually knocked down to Andrew Morton, Larne for 500gns. Andrew is a new breeder to the Dorset scene, this will be his first year in the society's Flock Book, and at only 12 years old he is one of the younger members.
The Reserve Champion was a powerful ram lamb Beechmount Kilwillie, belonging to Amy McConnell from Templepatrick. Amy had a very successful evening as she owned the first and second in the ram lamb class, both sons of Downkillybegs Hercules. The first prize ran lamb was later sold for 500gns going to Rocci Jones and Rowland Davis, Wales. The highest price of the evening was 600gns paid by Steven McGookin, a butcher from Ballyclare, for Amy's second prize winning ram lamb.
In the ewe lamb section, Thomas Wright collected the three top prices. The show champion was the highest at 560gns then 480gns to Catherine McAuley, Larne and 360gns to Andrew Morton, Larne. Normand Hammond sold a horned ewe lamb for 315gns to Fred Dowie, Ahoghill.
Only 18 Shearling ewes were on offer at the sale, the highest price 205gns went to Andrew Johnston for his second prize shearling ewe which was purchased by M McAllister, Glenarm. Next highest Martin Campbell 190gns to Thomas Madden, Ballyvaddy. And 170gns for another Shearling ewe to M&R Simpson, Broughshane.
Only sixteen ewes came under the hammer,top price in this section went to Norman Hammond,280gns to Andrew Montgomery, Portglenone. Then Thomas Madden, 250gns to Mr Ross, Omagh and Norman Hammond,250gns to T&S Knox, Armoy.
In the ram lamb section Amy McConnell certainly led the way with her two ram lambs. Other top prices went to Allison Moore, 280gns to Thomas Wright, and Allison Moore 240gns to J. Pinkerton, Rasharkin. Only one older ram was entered in the sale by T & S Knox and this was sold for 210gns to James Fagan, Hilltown.
Sale Averages
Ewe lambs £139-38
Shearling ewes £150-21
Senior ewes £179-81
Ram lambs £270-38
The showing classes were generously sponsered by the Northern Bank, and thanks to Mr. John Henning head of Agribusiness for coming along to present the rosettes. Judging was in the capable hands of Miss Ruth Jones, head shepherdess of Huish Flock, Galmpton, Devon. Ruth has a wealth of experience in working with Dorset sheep as she has been working with David Rossiter, one of the top English breeders for 13 years. She has been extremely busy recently, having lambed 400ewes in the last four weeks, so this was a day off!
Show Results
Ewe Lamb 1st T Wright, Ballytaggart, Ballymoney.
2nd John McFetridge, Carnalbana, Glenarm.
3rd M & C Maybin Galgorm, Ballymena.
4th T Wright, Ballytaggart, Ballymoney.
Shearling Ewe 1st Angus Fleming, Ballymoney
2nd Andrew Johnston, Glenavy
3rd Andrew Johnston, Glenavy
4th Martin Cambell, Glencloy Co Antrim
Ewes 1st Normand Hammond, Stewartstown
2nd Wm & Colin Johnston, Glenavy
3rd Andrew Johnston, Glenavy
Ram Lamb 1st Amy McConnell, Templepatrick
2nd Amy McConnell, Templepatrick
3rd Richard Currie, Ballymena
4th M & C Maybin, Ballymena
Senior Ram 1st T & S Knox, Armoy
