Penrith Auction Mart held their sixth annual show and sale of registered Bluefaced Leicester's, moving to a new evening slot which, was well received, with an increased crowd, and saw buyers and interested parties from Wales, Scotland and Ireland. I imagine that this will be the format used in the coming years as the sale starts to find its legs and gain a reputation.
At the pre sale show, judged by Northumberland breeder, Nicky Robinson, saw some fierce competition with some very strong classes. The overall champion was a ram lamb from the noted Old Parks flock from David Raine, full of Hewgill breeding, by A7 Hewgill and out of a ewe by L4 Hewgill. The reserve Champion male was a tup lamb from the noted Hewgill flock of Messrs Lord, Stainmore. He was by a son of V45 Hewgill, the Z14 Hewgill, which is making waves in the Mules at the moment, siring some of the Lords best Mule lambs, with 8 in the top ten at Kirkby Stephen and 6 in each pen at Hawes and Penrith, with all these pens picking up championship tickets at each sale. He sold for £2000 to Messrs Ivinson, Hole House.
Top price at the sale was the 4th placed shearling from Messrs Lord, Hewgill a tried and recommended shearling ram sired by V45 Hewgill and out of a M8 Hewgill ewe. Some strong bidding saw the hammer fall at £3000, selling to Messrs Smith, Parson Sheilds, Alston.
Ram lamb trade saw some great trade with 90% of all lambs offered sold.
Making a first showing to the sale was Messrs James, Midtodhills who fetched a very eye catching lamb. Sired by Z7 Todhills and out of a N21 Todhills ewe, it was knocked down at £1500 to Brownsleaze and Walksburn Flocks. Kirkby Redgate had a successful day selling a ram lamb by Y25 Hewgill and out of a W1 Keer sired ewe, selling for £1300 to Messrs Cockburn, South House.
The female champion and reserve overall came from Anne Little, The Close. By A4 Teviot and out of a ewe by Y16 Lochhill it sold for £400.
Show results Rams:- Aged Rams: 1-Messrs Hutchinson, Redgate, 2-Messrs Hutchinson, Redgate
Shearling Rams - 1-Messrs Raine, Fog Close, 2-Messrs Raine, Fog Close,
3-Messrs Stott, Laund Farm
Ram Lambs - 1-Messrs Raine, Old Parks, 2-Messrs Lord, Hewgill, 3-Messrs Dent, Greenriggs
Male Champion - Mr Raine, Old Park
Female Champion - A M Little, The Close
Leading Prices - Aged - £400 (2) Hutchinson, Redgate. Shearling Rams: £3000 Lord, Hewgill; £700, £500, £400 Stott, Laund Farm; £500, £400 (3) Fog Close. Ram Lambs: £2000, £1000, £750 Lord, Hewgill; £1500, £600 James, Midtodhills; £1300 Hutchinson, Redgate; £900, 800, £850 Little, Cannerheugh; £520 Wharton, Croftstyle; £500 Dent, Greenriggs; £500 Old Parks.
