21st Annual Autumn Show and Sale
21st Annual Autumn Show & Sale
Judge Mr. Keith May
Supreme Champion Ram lamb
with Thomas Wright, Judge Keith May and Mr. John Henning (Northern Bank)
Reserve Champion Ewe Lamb
with Catherine Maybin, Handler Karen Carson, Judge Keith May and Mr. John Henning (Northern Bank)
The members of the N.I. Dorset Sheep Breeders Club were delighted with the success of the Northern Bank Sponsored 21st Annual Autumn show & sale, which was held at McClelland's Livestock Market, Ballymena on Wednesday evening.
The continuing growth in popularity of the Dorset breed was evident in the number of buyers crowded around the ring and the brisk trade throughout the sale to the very last lot.
The show classes, which were again generously sponsored by Northern Bank and represented by Mr. John Henning, were judged by Mr. Keith May, Bodmin, Cornwall, who was making his judging debut in N.I. He chose as his Champion a powerful ram lamb from the Ballytaggart Flock of Thomas Wright, Kilraughts, Ballymoney. This success for Thomas comes at the end of another wonderful season for the Ballytaggart flock, the highlight of which was winning the UK Flock Competition, so Dorset breeders from all over the United Kingdom will have an opportunity to visit Thomas' farm for a flock viewing in early November. This champion, a son of Downkillybegs Jethro, later fetched 800gns in the sale ring, the top price of the evening, to join the Rockview flock of Jimmy Smyth, Ballynahinch.
The Reserve Champion was the winner of the ewe lamb class a first taste of success for the Galgorm Flock belonging to Michael & Catherine Maybin, Ballymena. This fine ewe lamb a daughter of Downkillybegs La Coste was purchased by John Wilson, Bendooragh, Ballymoney, to add to his first batch of Dorset ewe lambs purchased earlier this year to establish a new pedigree flock. Two other ewe lambs from the Galgorm Flock were purchased by another new breeder Sam Dalzell, Ballygowan, who also bought a ewe lamb from George & Megan Wright and a senior ram the last animal in the ring from Julie Rea, Aldergrove at 390gns.
There was a good entry of ewe lambs and Shearling ewe at this Autumn Sale which is traditionally the club's female event. Other top prices in the ewe lamb section went to Thomas Wright, 320gns to David Knox, Dromara' another new breeder. John McFetridge, Glenarm 290gns to W & K Carson, Ballymena, G & H Lyons 265gns to David Knox, Dromara, Amy McConnell 265gns to G Warwick, Kells, Thomas Wright 260gns to Paul Sanders, Glenavy, John Mc Fetridge 240gns & 235gns to Paul Sanders, G & H Lyons 235gns to Paul Sanders.
Average price for a total clearance of 70 lambs in this section was £192.05. In the Shearling ewe section 24 lots sold to an average of £265.50. Top price here went Gareth McIlwaine, Kilwaughter for a Shearling ewe with twin ewe lambs at foot who sold for 340gns to D.Robinson, Glenarm. A & M Mc Keegan 1st prize winning Shearling ewe fetch 335gns to John Mc Fetridge. Other notable prices were G. McIlwaine 300gns to A & M McKeegan, J.McFetridge 290gns to Norman Gibson, Tobermore, G. Mc Ilwaine 290gns to D.Robinson, G. McIlwaine 280gns to Ian Mc Gee Larne, J. McFetridge 270gns to W.Lennox, Cookstown, 270gns to M. McKillop, Loughgulie, 270gns to P. Sanders, Glenavy, 260gns to P. ONeill, Campsie and J.McGukien, Randalstown 260gns to P.ONeill. Richard Currie Hilltop Flock Ballymena sold his 1st prized in lamb ewe who fetched 400gns selling to A & A Graham, Glenwherry and there was almost 100 per cent clearance.
The next event in the N.I Dorset Breeders Club Calendar is the the Dorset Association A.G.M. which will be held in Northern Ireland on Saturday 6th November 2010. This is only the second time in the 119 year history of the Association that the A.G.M. has been held outside England. This is happening to coincide with the Champion Flock viewing at Thomas Wrights, Ballytaggart Flock. The N.I. Club is looking forward to hosting many visitors from the mainland to the Antrim's North Coast.
