Quality Texel genetics in demand as trade peaks at 3,280gns

The Northern Ireland Texel Sheep Breeders’ Club continued its successful sales season at Enniskillen, where strong demand for quality Texel sires delivered a solid trade throughout the sale.

Breeders enjoyed excellent results, with bidding reaching a high of 3,280gns for the Reserve Champion. The club extended its thanks to Mark Crawford of TopFlock for his continued sponsorship and to James Wilkinson of the Ballygroogan Flock for judging the pre-sale show.

Adrian Liggett with daughter Ava along with Judge James Wilkinson and sponsor Mark Carwford TopFlock with their Corbo Champion ram lamb at Enniskillen show and sale of pedigree texels.

placeholder image — Adrian Liggett with daughter Ava along with Judge James Wilkinson and sponsor Mark Carwford TopFlock with their Corbo Champion ram lamb at Enniskillen show and sale of pedigree texels.

Leading the shearling ram trade was Alistair Breen’s first-prize winner, Drumderg Ice Cool, a Hilltop Golden Eye son from a Lakeview Dirty Dancer-bred ewe, which sold for 1,580gns to become the highest-priced shearling ram of the evening. Its penmate, Drumderg Inspiration, another son of Golden Eye, changed hands at 980gns.

Gary Rankin’s second-placed exhibit, Garvetagh Hill Ian, a Drumderg Hennessy son out of a Garngour Aristotle-bred ewe, sold for 780gns.

Geoffrey Cathcart exhibits his Carnview Reserve Champion and top price ram lamb at Enniskillen show and sale. Also pictured are judge James Wilkinson and sponsor Mark Crawford TopFlock.

Competition among buyers was strongest in the ram lamb section, where Geoffrey Cathcart’s Reserve Champion, Carnview Jagerbomb, topped the sale at 3,280gns when purchased by fellow breeder John Foster. The Corbo I Texel lamb is sired by Forkins Hawkeye and out of a Lakeview Dirty Dancer daughter.

The TopFlock Champion from Adrian Liggett’s Corbo pen was next to attract attention, selling for 1,740gns. The substitute entry, a 32K Largy I Show Speed son from a Hexel Fan Club-bred dam, generated considerable interest.

Anotherm substitute entry from the same pen, a Forkins Hawkeye son out of a Mullan Game Changer daughter, realised 1,550gns.

Alistair Breen’s Drumderg flock continued to draw buyers, with two further Largy I Show Speed sons selling for four-figure sums. Drumderg Jethro achieved 1,200gns, while Drumderg Jaggermeister realised 1,100gns.

Geoffrey Cathcart also featured among the leading prices, with Carnview Jackpot, another Corbo I Texel lamb, selling for 1,100gns.

At the close of trade, shearling rams averaged 849gns for seven sold, while 43 ram lambs averaged 753gns, reflecting continued confidence in quality Texel genetics among commercial and pedigree buyers alike.

TopFlock Show Championship

Shearling Ram Class: 1 A Breen; 2 Gary Rankin; 3 Rodney Harron

Ram lamb Class: 1⁠ ⁠A Liggett; 2 ⁠G. Cathcart; 3⁠ ⁠⁠A Breen; 4⁠ ⁠⁠O & L Donohoe; 5⁠ ⁠⁠B Hanthorn; 6. ⁠⁠N Armstrong

Shearling Ewe Class: 1 A Breen; 2 Marcus Johnston; 3 G Cathcart

TopFlock Champion: A Liggett

TopFlock Reserve Champion: G Cathcart

Forthcoming club sales will take place at Hilltown on 18 September, County Antrim on 21 September and Lisahally on 24 September.

Catalogues are available for download from www.texel.uk/sales.

For further information contact Club Secretary Martin Warnock on 07791679112.