20th Annual Autumn Show and Sale
20th Annual Show & Sale
Judge Mr Geriant Jones
Supreme Champion Ewe lamb
with Trevor & Sharon Knox, Mr.Geriant Jones and Mr. Seamus McCormick
Reserve Champion Ram Lamb
with Mr. Thomas Wright, Daughter Megan and Mr. Seamus McCormick
There was a brisk trade from a packed ringside at the N.I. Dorset Breeders 20th Autumn Show and Sale, in McClelland’s Livestock Market, on Wednesday evening. There was keen interest around the show ring, as the judge Mr G. Jones, owner of the Roci flock, Ceredigion, Wales, picked his prizewinners. After much deliberation the championship was awarded to a ewe lamb from the Riverview flock of Trevor & Sharon Knox, Armoy. This striking lamb was one of an excellent pen of ewe lambs brought out by the Knox family, and they were rewarded for their hard work by some of the evenings top prices. This great interest in Dorset sheep seems to have passed on to the next generation as Trevor & Sharon’s two young sons Adam & Jason were both giving a helping hand. The champion was later sold in the ring for 450gns, to James Massey, Ballygowan, Co. Down.
The Reserve Champion was the first prize ram lamb, a powerful lamb from the Ballytaggart Flock of Thomas Wright, Ballymoney. This son of Downkillybegs Jethro was much sought after and was eventually knocked down to N. Gibson from Tobermore for 510gns.
The Club would like to thank Northern Bank for their continued sponsorship of the Show Classes.
The top priced lot of the sale was a ewe lamb, from the Ballytaggart Flock, auctioned in aid of the "Friends of Jessica" charity. This charity has been nominated by the N.I. Dorset Breeders Club for their support throughout their Golden Anniversary celebrations. Thomas Wright is donating the full proceeds of this lamb to the charity, in gratitude for the wonderful care received by his daughter Megan in the Royal Hospital Neo-natal unit. Guest auctioneer for this lot was Raymond Hill, who explained the work of the "Friends of Jessica" Charitable trust to the bidders around the ring. The lamb was purchased for 650gns by John McCullagh, Plumbridge, a faithful supporter of the Dorset Club, to join the Churchview flock belonging to his daughters Mary and Margaret.
The largest section of the sale was the ewe lamb class, after the two top prizes the champion and the charity lot mentioned above, other high prices went to J. McFetridge, 270gns to A. Mayne, Magheraveely, Fermangh; T&S Knox sold two lambs at 260gns, one to J. Massey, Ballygowan and one to Aidan Meggary, Loughguile. Next best was T. Wright, 250gns to G. Martin, Broughshane; R. Currie 250gns to J. Smyth, Ballynahinch and T&S Knox 250gns to Graeme Martin, Broughshane; Graeme was buying these ewe lambs for his son Ben, a new young Dorset breeder. There were only eight shearling ewes on offer, the highest price here going to Jonathan McGuckian, Randalstown, 320gns to L. Fearon, Rostrevor. Next was Thomas Madden, Carnlough 300gns to J. McConaghie, Glenarm. Laim Ferran bought two more shearling ewes from J. McGuckian one at 240gns, one at 210gns. In the senior ewe section top prizes went to D. Wilson 260gns to W&K Carson, Ballymena, Thomas Madden 230gns to J. Dalton, Dungannon; Samuel Caldwell 220gns to L. Ferran, Rostrevor; Wm & C Johnston 210gns to U. Pollock, Swatragh.
Eleven ram lambs were sold, the highest price of 510gns was for Thomas Wright’s reserve champion ram lamb. Next highest was also received by T. Wright; 460gns to M. Robinson, Larne. Lamb Bros, Armagh sold a horned lamb to Martin Campbell, Carnlough for 320gns. A. Fleming 300gns to A. McKillop, Loughguile; G. Lyons, Dunloy 290gns to A. Bell, Ballymena and S&S Lyons 260gns to J. Maguire, Castlederg. A.Johnston, Glenavy sold a shearling ram for 350gns to H. M. Bill, Dunadry.
In all sections average prices were up on last year’s sale with almost 100 per cent clearance.
Sale Averages
Ewe lambs £194.79
Shearling ewes £236.25
Senior ewes £227.50
Ram lambs £301.64
