This was a new sales venue for the Club and proved a successful, kindly sponsored by CVS Vets, with the pre-sale judging expertly carried out by Jonathan McKinney. A strong catalogue and competitive ringside bidding ensured a lively trade throughout the event, with quality sheep commanding keen commercial interest.
Leading the way in the shearling ram section was Stephen Etherson’s Killans flock, which secured first place with the impressive Killans Italian ESK2502550(1). Sired by the noted Largy Frank the Tank and out of a Seaforde Flash Harry daughter, the stylish ram caught the judge’s eye with his combination of power and correctness.
Continuing his success in the sale ring, Killans Italian went on to top the shearling ram trade when selling for 1,100gns.
Matching that price was the second-placed shearling ram from Robert Watters’ Forest View flock. Forest View Incredible WVU2500909(1), a son of Maineview Fantastic out of an Auldhouseburn Captain Corelli-sired ewe, attracted strong attention from buyers and sold for 1,100gns, demonstrating the demand for well-bred stock.
The overall sale topper at 1,150gns was the day’s Champion, Lylehill Jumper GAX2600847(E1) from Alan Glendinning’s Lylehill flock.
Sponsored by CVS Vets, the Champion stood out for his exceptional breeding and presence. He is a son of Strathbogie Gladiator and out of a Procters Chumba Wumba daughter, combining some of the breed’s influential genetics.
Standing second in the pre-sale championship and taking the Reserve Champion title was another powerful Lylehill entry, Lylehill James GAX2600824(E1). This eye-catching ram is sired by Clanfield Golden and out of another Procters Chumba Wumba daughter. Strong competition from buyers saw him realise 950gns.
Also among the day’s leading prices was his full brother, Lylehill Jackie GAX2600763(E1), which changed hands at 850gns, further highlighting the consistency and quality within the Lylehill breeding programme.
Completing the top three in the pre-sale show was Philip Whyte’s Innishrush Jasper WHY2601498(1). Sired by Innishrush Ice Cold and out of a ewe by Usk Vale Dark Dawn, this well-balanced ram impressed judge Jonathan McKinney and later sold for 800gns.
Overall, the Draperstown venue proved a successful sales venue with strong demand for the leading lots and a good clearance throughout the sale. The Northern Ireland Texel Sheep Breeders Club extends its thanks to sponsor CVS Vets, judge Jonathan McKinney, vendors and purchasers for contributing to another successful sale.
CVS Vets Pre-Sale Championship Results
Sponsor CVS Vets
Judge Jonathon McKinney
Shearling Rams: 1st Stephen Etherson, Killans; 2nd Robert Watters, Forest View; 3rd Ciaran McKeefry, Ballydullaghan
Ram Lambs: 1st Alan Glendinning, Lylehill; 2nd Alan Glendinning, Lylehill; 3rd Philip Whyte, Innishrush; 4th Stephen Etherson, Killans; 5th Richard Currie, Tullagh
Champion: Alan Glendinning, Lylehill
Reserve: Alan Glendinning, Lylehill
5. First palce SR Draperstown.jpg
Stephan Etherson and son accept the first-place rosette from judge Jonathon McKinney and sponsor CVS Vets for their Killans exhibit at the pre-sale show of Texel sheep at Draperstown recently. Photo: freelance