Once again it was a successful sale at Castle Douglas, which is gaining a growing reputation for top notch crossing tups, with buyers from the North of England and as far away as Devon too. There were even a couple of interested parties from the States too, so there is an international feel to the sale too!

Topping the trade and equalling the centre record, set last year, was the day's champion, judged by James Herdman. This outstanding lamb from Stewart Park and Eunice Mills of the S P Dalpeddar flock was the pick of an excellent pen. Last years record price lamb from Ballymena certainly left his mark on the flock. Some frantic bidding saw him settle out at £6000, with Jimmy Bell, Cottage and Messrs Kay sharing him. By the 4800 gns A1 Glenane "Magners" and out of a ewe by the Y1 Shafthill, his full sister was the Champion of Champions at Muirkirk show. Magner has been siring some cracking crossed lambs which have been causing a stir around the area, and similar breeding was also behind bids of £5000, £3000, £2800 and £2000 for the Dalpeddar flock, as well as a £4000 bid for a lamb by Z31 Old Hemley.

"Magners" is shared with Jimmy Bell from Cottage who also had a flying trade with Magner sons topping at £2600, out of a T2 Duhonw sired ewe going back to the massive R3 Duhonw, and selling to Telfor Branton. He also had another at £2500 by Magners which had stood 2 nd earlier in the year at the Highland show which sold to A Minto & Son. His other top prices in a great run of lambs included another by Magners at £2400 and a Z31 Old Hemley son selling to £2500.

Other highlights of the day included two bids of £3000 for tups from the noted Craigskean flock, the first for a shearling by the Y29 Riddings and out of a ewe by V1 Ty Gwyn which sold to Mains of Larg and they also had a tup lamb they same way bred at £3000 too, after it had stood second in the show. It made its way over the border into prime North of England Mule country with its final destination M/s Brown, Agglethorpe.

Alec Brown from the MacQueston flock also had a canny day, building on a good trade with his mule lambs which topped at £105 for his top 40, as his massive 2 nd prize shearling was bid to £2800. By the Y34 Midlock and out of a ewe by the £5800 Greenriggs. It sailed back over the water (or will do once passed all the required tests) to the Orravale flock of Robert Loughbridge.

Robin Anderson, the auctioneer, was very happy with the days trading, with buyers very willing to bid for the lots they wanted, which were usually, big strong tups with good crossing lines in them, reflecting the very strong demand in the ever versatile Mule.

B3 Dalpeddar - £2800

B7 Cottage - £2600

A25 Hallmains - £2500

B2 Cottage - £2500

B3 Cottage - £2500

B4 Cottage - £2400

B8 Cottage

Champion female - Craigskean