33rd Annual Autumn Show and Sale
NI Dorset Club Sale Season Finishes on a High
Samuel, Elaine and Tommy Caldwell with the overall champion, pictured with
judge Craig Robson and Geoffrey Wilson (Danske Bank)
Fiona & Caroline McKeown with the Reserve Champion & Best opposite sex to the Champion,
Judge Craig Robson and Geoffrey Wilson (Danske Bank}
The 33rd Northern Ireland Dorset Club Autumn Show and Sale, kindly sponsored by Danske Bank was held on Monday 10th October 2022 in Ballymena Livestock Market. This marked the final sale of the year for the club, wrapping up yet another highly successful sale season with buyers out in force. The event was again well supported by breeders coming off the back of a busy autumn lambing period with an impressive 79 lots brought forward.
Judge for the day was left in the capable hands of Mr Craig Robson, Ballyhamage Flock, Doagh who was given a strong showing of sheep across all classes. Coming out on top was lot 3 from Samuel and Elaine Caldwell, Ballymaconnelly with their shearling ewe “Ballymaconnelly D197” which was awarded overall champion. This Bencran Cosmic daughter out of a Richhill dam showed terrific style and character with the bonus of selling scanned in lamb to stock ram Lisnafillan Dylan. After a surge of bids, she was snapped up by Emma Poole for 980gns. Reserve champion was awarded to lot 74 “Ashvale Eagle” from Caroline McKeown who stood first place in the ram lamb class, exhibiting excellent power and confirmation. Sired by Ballytaggart Dakota out of a Lisnafillan dam, he later went on to sell for the top price of the evening at 1150gns to Bernard Moss.
Show results
Champion: S&E Caldwell
Reserve Champion: C McKeown
Class 1 – Shearling ewe – 1st S&E Caldwell, 2nd B&J Moorhead, 3rd S&E Caldwell, 4th B&J Moorhead, 5th A Dodd
Class 2 – Ewe lamb – 1st C McKeown, 2nd T&S Knox, 3rd C McKeown, 4th A Dodd, 5th T&S Knox
Class 3 – Senior ewe – 1st S&E Caldwell, 2nd C Johnston, 3rd C Johnston
Class 4 – Shearling ram – 1st C Johnston, 2nd K&A Hughes
Class 5 – Ram lamb – 1st C McKeown, 2nd A&A Armour, 3rd A&A Armour, 4th C Johnston, 5th C Johnston
Trade remained consistently strong across the sale with the next top price going to Caroline McKeown with lot 57 for her in lamb ewe lamb “Ashvale E503”. Sired by Ballyhamage Del Pierro out of a Whitehill ewe, this strong lamb caught the eye of Elaine Gilmour, selling for the second highest price of the night at 1000gns. Not far behind was pen mate, lot 56 who again was sired by Ballyhamage Del Pierro, this time out of an Islandview dam, selling in lamb with twins to John Keown for 700gns. Also achieving 700gns was lot 17 from Brian and Judith Moorhead with their in-lamb shearling ewe “Briglands D116”. Sired by Lisnafillan Bugatti out of a Tardree ewe and scanned with a single lamb this smart ewe found her new home with John Keown.
Other leading prices: B&J Moorhead 650gns to J Keown, S&E Caldwell 650gns to J Pinkerton, B&J Moorhead 650gns to J Stevenson, C Johnston 650gns to B Moss, B&J Moorhead 600gns to D McKibben, C Johnston 550gns to D Hamilton, S&E Caldwell 500gns to J Keown, A Dodd 500gns to D McKibben.
As this year’s sale season draws to a close and thoughts turn to 2023, the club wishes to express its thanks to breeders, sponsors, buyers, and market staff for their contribution to the success of the 2022 sale season. The continuous growth of the breed both on a local and global basis is a testament to its qualities, forging its way as the first choice for many modern sheep enterprises.
The next event in the club calendar will be the annual viewing of the champion flock in the Northern Ireland flock competition. This year it will take place in Dundrod, County Antrim where members can view the Mountdale Flock owned by Ellen McClure. This is due to take place on Saturday 12th November 2022 at 11am and all members are warmly invited.
