May Fair 2007
May Fair 2007
Jackie & Jim Dufosee with Champion
Jim Dufosee with top price, Blackhill Jak
President Andrew Robinson & Ben Lamb with Champion Horn Ram
Francis Fooks of Fooks Bros with the Reserve Champion
Richard & Robert Hole with their best pair of Ram Lambs
The Poll Dorset and Dorset Horn annual association main sale, the May Fair was held on Wednesday 9th May 2007 at Exeter Livestock Centre, Exeter , Devon . The sale, one of the largest pedigree sales held annually in the United Kingdom boasted an entry of 3958 sheep presented for sale.
The top price of the day was £5250 for a ram lamb, Blackhill ‘Jak’ J160 from Mr Jim Duffosee of Warminster, Wiltshire. This lambs pedigree is full of Irish breeding, his grandsire being Manstown ‘Champ’ currently the record holder being top priced Dorset sold in Northern Ireland , when Mr Duffosee purchased him in Ballyclare from Mr Brian Compton.
Blackhill ‘Jak’ J160 after creating a lot of interest from some well known breeders was finally knocked down to three well known breeders in the Irish pedigree world, Mr Richard Currie , Mr Gary Henderson and Mr Winston Taggart in a three way split, the under bidder being Mr Francis Fooks.
Next on the price league was a shearling ram forwarded by Fooks Bros., Bridport, Dorset standing Reserve Male Champion he made £2100.
21 Rams made the long journey from Northern Ireland to the 2007 May Fair sale, consignees being Mr Raymond Hill (2), Mr Gary Henderson (2), Mr Ben Lamb (2), Mr Graham Cubitt (2) Mr Richard Currie (2), Mr and Mrs William & Karen Carson (7) and Mr Thomas Wright (4).
Again it was Mr Thomas Wright who for a second year running flew the flag for Northern Ireland when his ram lamb Ballytaggart ‘Justice’ J229 reached the third highest price on the day of £1323.
Congratulations must go to Mr Ben Lamb whose ram lamb, Lot 135, was awarded Champion Horn exhibit, the first time any Irish breeder has achieved this accolade.
In the single females Fooks Bros. pen of 2 shearling ewes and 2 ewe lambs attracted all the attention and indeed made all the headlines. Poorton ‘Hallelujah’ a shearling ewe was crowned female champion and then realised a top female price of 800gns. This smart ewe also boasts the best of Irish breeding being a daughter of Downkillybegs ‘Captain’ C31, a ram bred and exported by S & W Carson, Ballymena. Making the final call for this smart ewe was Mr Thomas Wright, Ballytaggart.
Her half sister Poorton ‘Hosanna’ also makes her way across the Irish sea to join Mr Graham Cubitts Kildowney flock. Poortons two ewe lambs also led the way in the ewe lamb section winning 1st and reserve female Champion. Both headed this way to join the small elite flock of Mr Raymond Hill, Doagh, Ballyclare.
Somewhere in excess of 120 sheep were purchased and have made their way to new homes across Northern Ireland . Backing up the fact that some of the best bloodlines in Dorsets are resident in Northern Ireland.
