Swatragh Texel sale showcases strong demand for quality rams

in Swatragh, attracting strong interest from breeders and commercial buyers alike. The event was judged by David McIlwaine and generously sponsored by Eamon Healey of Farmware Supplies, Swatragh. The Club express their appreciation to both for their support.

Judging commenced with the Shearling Ram class, where Ciaran McAuley’s Capecastle flock claimed first prize with a Loosebeare Chief son from a New View Electrifying-bred dam. The ram went on to secure the Farmware Champion title and later topped the sale at 2,050gns.

Strong trade followed throughout the class. A fourth-placed exhibit, a Largy Frank the Tank son out of a Largy Exotic sired dam from Stephen Etherson’s Killans flock sold for 1,800gns, while Sean McCloskey’s Glenroe flock enjoyed a successful evening, selling a homebred shearling ram out of Glenroe Hercules for 1,800gns and a second-placed Clintery Yuga Khan son for 1,300gns. Murray Annett’s Milestonehill-bred ram, a Bregagh Hotshot son out of a Ballydesland Eddie daughter also realised 1,300gns.

Joseph Muldoon’s third-placed Carnteel entry, a Drumderg Hitman sold for 1,150gns, matching the price achieved by Roger Strawbridge for his Strathbogie Gypsie King son.

In the Ram Lamb section, Roger Strawbridge’s Tamnamoney flock impressed the judge, taking first place with a Hexel Hidden Asset son out of a Ballynahone Foreman-bred ewe. The ram later secured the Reserve Champion title before selling for 1,600gns.

Second place went to Ivanna Strawbridge’s Lynbrooke flock with another Hidden Asset son, which sold for 1,000gns. The third-placed entry from Jonny Cubitt’s Drumcon flock , an Auldhousburn Italian Stallion son out of a Sportsmans Double Diamond daughter, also realised 1,000gns. However, it was Patrick Bradley’s Grillagh exhibit, a Rosnashane Granaghan son out of a Largy Frank the Tank sired dam that attracted the strongest bidding in the class, changing hands for 2,000gns.

Further notable sales included a Carnteel flock ram a Mullan Eureka son out of a Rhaeadr Emtrepreneur daughter from Joseph Muldoon at 1,400gns and a Bluehill flock entry, a Mullan Impeccable son, from Frank Clewer at 1,200gns, underlining the continued demand for well-bred Texel genetics. Overall, the Swatragh sale delivered an excellent trade, reflecting confidence for pedigree Texel breeding with an increase on last year’s sale average at 975.80gns for 41 sold.

Farmware Supplies Texel Championship

Sponsor Farmware Supplies

Judge David McIlwaine

Shearling Ram Class: 1. Ciaran McAuley; 2. Sean McCloskey; 3. Joseph Muldoon; 4. Stephen Etherson; 5. Mary Clarke; 6. Liam Etherson

Ram Lamb Class: 1. Roger Strawbridge; 2. Ivanna Strawbridge; 3. Jonny Cubitt; 4. Joseph Muldoon; 5. Jonny Cubitt; 6. Alan Glendinning

Champion: Ciaran McAuley Shearling Ram

Reserve: Roger Strawbridge Ram Lamb

The Club continues their sales season with upcoming sales at Beatties Livestock 2nd October; Draperstown 8th October and Ballymena 19th October. Catalogues are available for download from www.texel.uk/sales.

For further information contact Club Secretary Martin Warnock on 07791679112.