Date for 5th annual Northie Sparkler Sale
The 5th annual Northie Sparkler Sale of North Country Cheviot in lamb ewes and dry Hoggs will be held online this year via Beattie Livestock Sales on Marteye from 8pm Friday, 30th January to 8pm Monday, 2nd February.
The sale will consist of approximately 20 in lamb ewes and 10 hoggs from five renowned flocks with some the top bloodlines in Northern Ireland.
The Leam and Stragole flocks have been established for over 50 years now and had a lot of success over the years at many shows this year’s batch of 10 in lamb gimmers scanned at 200 per cent.
In 2025 the Leam flock had the first prize shearling ram at Balmoral show selling shearling rams at club sale to 3200gns. The Stragole flock had success at Balmoral with gimmer in a strong lineup, with another 3rd place at Omagh show in a a large class of 23 and a shearling ram that was sold as a lamb 2nd placed at Omagh also, the Stragole flock also was champion at Plumbridge show with a gimmer who’s maternal sister will be at the in lamb sale.
The Ballintogher flock owned by James and Kathryn Rowan Katesbridge, Co Down have a strong group of ewes entered for the Sparkler sale this year after topping the sale in 2025 with a in lamb gimmer selling for 1650gns. The Rowans had success at only show attended in 2025 coming home firsts in the ram lamb, aged ewe and gimmer classes also being tapped out champion on the day.
Crockataggart ran by Owen and Jonathan Kelly, Draperstown run the largest flock of North Country Cheviots in Ireland ran commercially in the Sperrin Mountains focusing on producing Suffolk Cheviot and Cheviot Mule ewe lambs. Their hill flock had success at Omagh show winning the gimmer class and Champion on the day.
First time exhibitor at the Northie Sparkler William Rankin from Drumquin Co. Tyrone runs the Caradoo flock, having success at shows winning North Country Cheviot champion and interbreed sheep champion at Balmoral show 2023. William has selected four stylish ewe lambs for the sale.
Renowned Jacob breeder Alex Colhoun, Omagh, Co. Tyrone is selling a strong 4 crop ewe from his Kingarrow flock that has been an excellent breeder for Alex over last three years. Alex has been a keen showman over the years. Highlights for the flock are Reserve overall champion at Antrim show in 2023 and Reserve overall in Limavady show in 2024.
Registration with Marteye should be done before Friday, 30th January for the Northie Sparkler sale.
Viewing of stock for sale can be arranged on farms between the 30th January to 2nd February by contacting:
Alastair Armstrong - 07784431021 (Leam & Stragole flocks)
James Rowan - 07531 972009 (Ballintogher)
William Rankin – 07515 427710 (Caradoo)
Alex Colhoun – 07568 529560 (Kingarrow)