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Carlisle 2017

NI Breeders to the Fore at Carlisle Dorset Show and Sale

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William Carson and Judge Geraint Jones with the Supreme Champion

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Mary Cubitt with the overall Reserve Champion and Judge Geraint Jones

The 10th Special Show & Sale of Pedigree Registered Dorset Horn & Polled Dorset Sheep was held in Borderway Mart on Friday 25th August 2017. This annual event has grown in popularity with breeders making their way to Carlisle from all parts of the UK attracting entries from a total of 7 NI Dorset breeders. Also in attendance from NI were a number of potential buyers wishing to either establish or add to their Dorset Flock.

This Show & Sale attracted a select offering of 27 Rams and 316 Females with quality sheep coming forward for sale and there was keen interest shown by the strong number of buyers present. There was a noted interest in the NI sheep on offer as the reputation of the Breed from this particular part of the UK has been enhanced over the recent years by the consistent quality of the stock offered for sale at the National May Fair Sale in Exeter.

The earlier part of the day was given over to the judging of both the various Classes and this was expertly accomplished by Judge Mr Geraint Jones of the Roci Flock. All Classes were keenly contested and the Judge, having had a selection of top quality animals to choose from, found his Supreme Champion in a superbly bred ewe lamb from the Downkillybegs Flock of W & K Carson . This well grown young ewe lamb exhibiting all the traits of the Breed was sired by Downkillybegs Pilot, off a Downkillybegs Taz bred dam. She later went on to sell for 900 guineas, topping the Sale in the females and was purchased by Gary Hanna of Templepatrick, NI.

The top price of the sale was achieved by the Reserve Champion, an outstanding young ram lamb from the Kildowney Flock of Graham Cubitt. This ram was sired by Richhill Wyatt, and sold for 1900 gns, a record price for a Dorset ram at this Centre, and went to another NI Breeder Shane Wilson, Ballynure (Legaloy Flock).

Buyers were definitely in the market for quality stock and other leading prices were:
Graham Cubitt for ewe lambs : 650 gns (reserve female), 550 gns, 450 gns, 420 gns, 380gns, 350 gns.
Thomas Wright for pens ewe lambs : 340 gns, 290 gns, 290 gns.
D. Lewis 750 gns and A. Dufosee 450 gns for Shearling Rams.
Thomas Wright for ram lambs 620 gns (reserve male), 500 gns.
Graham Cubitt for ram lamb 450 gns.
D. Lewis for ram lamb 400 gns.

There was a high clearance of Sales in the female Classes and the sale average for both ram Classes was up on the previous year for similar numbers sold.
Sale Averages were:
Ram Lambs : £535
Shearling Rams £472
Shearling Ewes £368
Ewe Lambs: £258
Pen of ewes £188

Dispersal of the Redhill Flock (Mendip Hills) by Brenda R Wear averaged £ 225.

The Judge, in addition to selecting the Champions in each Class, had the task of selecting the prize winners in each Section and these were as follows:

Aged & Shearling Ram- 1stA Dufosee 2nd D Lewis 3rd S Driver
Ram Lamb – 1st G Cubitt 2nd T Wright 3rd G Cubitt 4th W & K Carson 5th J Royan
Aged ewe - 1st B Wear 2nd B Wear
Shearling gimmer- 1st D Lewis 2nd DW Rossiter 3rd A Dufosee
Ewe Lamb – 1st W & K Carson 2nd G Cubitt 3rd G Cubitt 4th M & C Maybin 5th SP McCarry.

The NI Dorset Club would take this opportunity to commend the Breed for its qualities, both in the pedigree sector and its ease of lambing, fast growth rates and finishing in the commercial sector. The next sale organised by NI Dorset Club members is the final sale of the season and will be held in Ballymena Mart on Monday 2nd October with Showing at 5.00pm and Sale commencing at 6.30 pm. This Sale will offer new and established Breeders the opportunity to purchase top quality male and female stock.

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Brenda Wear presenting Champion Female award to 
William Carson with Judge Geraint Jones

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Mary Cubitt with the Male Champion and Thomas Wright & son Sam with
Reserve Male Champion and Judge Geraint Jones