Benbradagh flock building on an impressive run of success

Joanne first became interested in having sheep of her own and, after seeing the Border Leicester breed, quickly decided that it was the breed for her. The McFarlanes joined the Border Leicester Society in 2022 and have steadily developed their flock, which currently stands at 12 breeding ewes.

Although still a relatively young flock, Benbradagh has already enjoyed considerable success. At the 2025 URBA Border Leicester Show and Sale, the flock achieved Show Champion with a ram lamb, which went on to sell for an impressive 2,000 guineas to Mr J Hamilton of the Silvermuir Flock in Scotland.

That success provided a major boost for the young flock and gave Alwyn and Joanne great encouragement as they continued to develop their breeding programme.

The 2026 season has proved even more successful, with the Benbradagh flock enjoying an outstanding year in the show ring. The highlight came with their ram lamb taking Overall Champion at the Border Leicester National Show, held at Antim show, while a homebred gimmer secured Overall Reserve Champion.

The Overall Champion ram lamb was sired by Kinsella X Factor, a sire which the McFarlanes have great confidence in. They will have two ram lambs by Kinsella X Factor entered in this year’s sale, giving buyers the opportunity to purchase from the same successful bloodline.

Alongside the pedigree flock, Alwyn runs a large commercial flock, providing an ideal opportunity to assess the Border Leicester in a commercial setting.

Last year, the Benbradagh stock ram was used on a batch of Texel x Mule ewes, with the resulting lambs making a very positive impression on the McFarlanes.

In particular, the ewe lambs have been described as very stylish, and such was the impression they made that the decision has been taken to retain them and carry them forward as gimmers next year.

The commercial results have further strengthened the McFarlanes’ belief in the Border Leicester and its ability to complement other breeds and produce useful commercial progeny.

The Border Leicester’s reputation for producing quality, vigorous lambs and its valuable maternal qualities were among the reasons Joanne was initially attracted to the breed, and the family’s experience to date has certainly reinforced that decision.

With the flock continuing to develop, the McFarlanes will be offering a strong entry at this year’s URBA Border Leicester Show and Sale. Along with the two ram lambs by Kinsella X Factor, they will also be bringing two ewe lambs and two gimmers.

For a flock established only a few years ago, the progress of Benbradagh has been impressive.

From Joanne’s original ambition to have sheep of her own, the flock has developed into one capable of competing successfully at the highest level while also demonstrating its value in a commercial flock.

Following the outstanding results achieved in 2025 and 2026, Alwyn and Joanne will be hoping their success continues at this year’s sale.

The URBA Border Leicester’s would like to thank their sponsors A.S.C. Farm Services, Danske Bank, Fane Valley Stores & Thompsons Feeding Innovation for all their support at their Show & Sale on Monday, 21st September 2026 in Ballymena Livestock Market. There are 14 ewes, 8 ewe lambs, 62 ram lambs and 24 shearling rams forward this year so a show and sale not to be missed.

A County Antrim breeder commented: “I use Border Leicester rams to cross with North Country Cheviot ewes to produce Scotch Halfbred breeding stock. This cross adds hybrid vigour and prolificacy and produces highly sought-after females. The male lambs are extremely marketable, and the females can be crossed again with another breed to produce functional replacements for lowland flocks. Border Leicesters have certainly added a profitable dimension to my sheep breeding enterprise.”