43rd Annual Show and Sale
NI Breed Record Smashed at Outstanding Dorset Show and Sale
 The Supreme Champion Exhibit with Breeder Cameron Carson,
Handler Sarah Jones and Jacqueline Hamilton representing Norbrook |
 Reserve Champion and Record Price ewe lamb with Breeder Ben Lamb, |
Ben Lamb with his Champion Horn exhibit and Judge Mr Alex Steff of the Waggoners Flock, Lancs |
 The Supreme Champion ram lamb and Reserve Champion and record |
On Monday the 27th July the NI Dorset Club held their 43rd annual July show and sale in McClellands Livestock Mart, Ballymena. Once again the premier sale was very kindly sponsored by Norbrook Pharmaceuticals, who were represented at the show by Jacqueline Hamilton. Despite the recent down turn in sheep trade and low morale amongst the farming community in general this year, the premier sale was strongly attended demonstrating the popularity the Dorset sheep have gained in the province. There was a hive of activity throughout the penned sheep and the packed sale ring ensured rigorous commercial and pedigree trade, with all who attended witnessing a new NI breed record being set.
The record setter was the first placed ewe lamb and reserve champion presented by the highly respected breeder Ben Lamb’s Richhill flock, Armagh. This ewe lamb exhibited great size, strength and length and was part of Ben’s successful 2015 show team. This year was the first time any of the Richhill show team had been offered for sale. Her sire Ballytaggart Trojan was champion exhibit at the Carlisle show and sale in 2013 and her dam by Olivertree Samson was also shown successfully as a ewe lamb. A flurry of bids ensued and she was eventually knocked down for 1400gns to the longstanding Downkillybegs flock of William and Karen Carson, Ballymena, with our judge Mr Alex Steff of the Waggoners flock in Burnley, Lancashire the under bidder. This sets the record for a Dorset ewe lamb sold in NI, with the previous highest price paid in 2011 at the July sale for a ewe lamb presented by Richard Currie’s Hilltop flock for 780gns. It was only two months ago that another exceptional ewe lamb presented by Tom Clarke’s Manorcroft flock in England at the May Fair in Exeter was purchased for 1450gns by another Northern Irish breeder, Samuel Caldwell, Rasharkin. Again this reflects not only the strength and quality that the Dorset sheep has reached, but also the popularity of the breed and the determination of the NI breeders to have the best of the genetics available.
Our supreme champion of the show was lot number 27, the first prize winning ram lamb presented by Master Cameron Carson’s Mainevalley flock, Ballymena. This was a Downkillybegs Taz son with great breed character, which also proved very popular in the bidding, eventually being sold for 720gns to David Lennox, Cookstown, who was also the under bidder for the top price ram lamb. Leading the way for the ram lamb trade was a smart September born lamb presented by the Hilltop flock of Richard Currie, Ballymena. This lamb was knocked down for 820gns to English breeder Sam Driver for his Sandy Lane flock of 400 Poll Dorset ewes in Derbyshire. Next was an 800gns ram lamb exhibited by Thomas Wright, Ballymoney, placed 4th in the strong line up, he was sold to established breeder G Lyons for her Kilmandil flock in Dunloy.
Other leading prices for the ram section went to James and Craig Robson Doagh, 680gns to J Baird, Claudy. Sean Paul McCarry, Armoy, 650gns to NJ Hylands, Lurgan. Richard Currie, Ballymena, 650gns to DS McKay Rathkenny. Willam and Karen Carson, Ballymena, 650gns to Ross Clyde, Broughshane. James and Craig Robson, Doagh, 580gns to W Anderson, Newry.
Senior rams were also on offer, with Sharon and Trevor Knox, Armoy selling the first prize winner, a high index recorded ram for 680gns to Thornbank Farms, Cumbria.
Following our record price ewe lamb, the second highest price was reached by lot 91, a first prize winner in the pair of ewe lamb class and progeny group shown by Raymond and David Hill’s Olivertree flock. This ewe lamb was purchased for 500gns by K&L Weir for their Lisnafillan flock in Ballymena. The third highest price for a ewe lamb was also paid for an exhibit of the Olivertree flock, as 480gns was paid for their lot 89, also a part of the first prize winning progeny group sold to M Hodgson, Cumbria. The Olivertree flock had a highly successful sale of their pen of 6 ewe lambs, which averaged at 365gns.
Other leading ewe lamb prices were Ben Lamb, Armagh, lot 118, 400gns purchased by Messrs P&M Knowles, Ahoghill. 370gns was realised twice, by James and Craig Robson, Doagh and Raymond and David Hill, Doagh, to Andrew Kennedy, Ballymena and Gary Henderson, Bushmills respectively. 340gns was also realised twice, both times by T&S Knox, with lots 60 and 61 being sold to Sean Paul McCarry, Armoy and Robert Cousins, Analong respectively. W&K Carson, 320gns to Andrew Knox, Dromara.
The champion horn exhibit was also shown by Ben Lamb. This was an October born triplet ewe lamb, which was also part of Ben’s 2015 show team and was knocked down for 300gns to William and Karen Carson, Ballymena. A small selection of shearling ewes were presented with the second prize winner, lot 144 of Sean Paul McCarry, Armoy which was scanned in lamb to Sandy Lane Tiesto, sold for 410gns to J McClure, Dundrod.
Ram lamb average was £474.47, up £49.47 per head on last year and a 97% clearance.
Senior ram average was £379.31, with 100% clearance
Ewe Lamb average was £248.46, up £18.46 on last year, with 99% sold.
Shearling ewe average £269.50, up £16.50 on last year.
Prize Winners at the 43rd Annual Premier Show and Sale
Judge Mr Alex Steff
POLL RAM LAMB:- 1st Cameron Carson, 2nd J&C Robson, 3rd J&C Robson, 4th Thomas Wright
PAIR OF RAM LAMBS:- 1st J&C Robson, 2nd Thomas Wright
SHEARLING RAM:- 1st Messrs N&M Gibson
SENIOR RAM:- 1st T&S Knox, 2nd Seamus Mullan, 3rd A Johnston
HORN EWE LAMB:- 1st Ben Lamb, 2nd W&C Johnston, 3rd W. & C. Johnston
POLL EWE LAMB:- 1st Ben Lamb, 2nd T&S Knox, 3rd Ben Lamb, 4th J&C Robson.
PAIR OF EWE LAMBS:- 1st Raymond Hill, 2nd T&S Knox, 3rd Cecil Chambers, 4th W&C Carson
SHEARLING EWE:- 1st M Wright, 2nd Sean Paul McCarry, 3rd W&C Johnston, 4th S Henderson
SENIOR EWE:- 1st W&C Johnston
PROGENY GROUP:- 1st Raymond Hill, 2nd R&M Coulter, 3rd J&C Robson
SUPREME CHAMPION:- Cameron Carson
RESERVE OVERALL CHAMPION:- Ben Lamb
BEST OPPOSITE SEX TO CHAMPION:- Ben Lamb
BEST HORN EXHIBIT:- Ben Lamb
Event organised by N.I. Dorset Club.
Sale conducted by J.A. McClelland & Sons
Sponsored by by Norbrook Pharmaceuticals.
The N.I. Dorset Club's 4rd Annual E.U. Export show and sale will take place on Friday 14th August 2015 at Hilltown Attested Salesyard, Hilltown, Newry, Co Down and is again generously sponsored by MSD Animal Health. Show 12noon, sale 2pm. The EU status of this sale enables straight export to R.O.I on the day of purchase.
Catalogues available from Michael Maybin on 07712828811 or Graham Cubitt on 07803133467
