Once again breeders were out in force to witness a cracking sale, braving lashing rain and snowstorms to check out some great sheep and hope to snaffle up a bargain as some of the breeds noted established flock dispersed as well as a production sale alongside the annual female sale.

Topping the day's trade was a 2 shear ewe from R & M Scott, Thirwall Castle who were holding virtual flock dispersal, retaining 2 ewes to breed a tup from for their own use. The ewe, carrying twins, is a proven breeder, with one of her sons selling for 3600gns last autumn in Carlisle . She is by the Hewgill R8 that they bought in 2000, and noted breeder Alan Barnes, Cowden, had to dig deep to land her, with the gavel falling after some frantic bidding, out muscling a determined Northern Irish syndicate, for a new breed record for a female of 5500gns.

Alan also took home the day's second top lot, also from the Thirlwall flock when he forked out 3200 gns for a 2003 born ewe by the N7 Rayson Hall. Again the ewe is a proven breeder, as she is the dam to one of the Scotts best getting crossing tup, X10, which has been breeding very consistently over the last couple of years, and in this sale there was a gimmer out of her made 2200gns. The Scott's finished the day with a tremendous average of £844.42 for 38 sheep sold.

Once again there was a Scottish presence at the sale with a 19 lot consignment from Biggar breeders, J Wight & Sons. Their topper was a daughter of the £17,000 Bull & Cave, carrying triplets to the noted sire, Midlock Controversy. The ewe is a full sister to a tup Midlock sold at Hawes last backend for £2000. She was knocked down to Phillip and Sheila Sutcliffe, Horton In Ribblesdale for 2600gns. Midlock had two daughters of Controversy sell, one selling for 2000gns the other 1800 gns. Both travelled back on the same load, with G & G Jackson & Sons, Blubberhouses the successful bidders. The Midlock consignment averaged £1163.29 for the 19 sold.

The reserve champion in the show, judged by Nicky Robinson, Cocklaw, was from the Hewgill flock of M/s Lords. Their reserve was a gimmer lamb which is full sister to one they sold at Hawes last October for £5400. Ashley Caton, Otterburn Lodge was the buyer of the cracking, stylish lamb, paying 2600 gns. This lamb was sired by the V45 Hewgill and out of M8 Hewgill sired ewe.

Champion of the day went to J & G Lawrie, Prestwick who were selling the ewe portion of the Brieryside flock, the ewe, by 5500gn S1 Brieryside and in lamb to the 2400gns X2 Longmynd, sold to J W Davidson, Brampton for 650gns.

Leading Prices

(Lot) - Price - Purchaser
(55) 5,500 gns - A & K M Barnes, Cowden, Great Harwood, Blackburn, Lancs
(52) 3,200 gns - A & K M Barnes, as lot 55.
(25) 1 st in class 3 and Reserve Champion - 2,600gns - G E Carter & Son, Parcelstown, Longtown, Carlisle
(58) 2,600 gns - A Lodge, West Side House, Malham Moor, Settle, N.Yorkshire.
(92) 2,600 gns - W P Sutcliffe, Cragg Hill Farm, Horton-in-Ribblesdale, N.Yorkshire.
(60) 2,200 gns - D & V Hill, Whitewall, Great Asby, Appleby, Cumbria .
(73) 2,200 gns - D & V Hill, as lot 60.
(93) 2,000 gns - G & G Jackson & Son, Anchor Farm, Blubber Houses, Yorkshire
(91) 1,800 gns - G & G Jackson & Son, as lot 93.
(105) 1,600 gns - R McInnes, Graystone Knowe, Grassyards Road, Ayrshire.

Averages
6 Ewes £439.25, 4 Gimmers £438.38
9 Lambs £765.33

Thirlwall Flock – 38 head £ 844.42
Midlock Flock – 19 head £1,163.29
Coombecrag Flock – 27 head £ 549.11
Brieryside Flock – 36 head £ 159.83
Parkhall Flock – 32 head £ 47.47