The NI Texel Club’s annual Show and Sale at Rathfriland on Bank Holiday Monday once again delivered a tremendous showcase of pedigree Texel breeding, attracting strong ringside interest and competitive bidding throughout the evening.

With judging kindly sponsored by Fane Valley, local breeders presented a high-quality line-up of sheep, demonstrating the breed's continued strength and commercial appeal.

Starting the evening off was the Fane Valley Pre-sale Championship judged by Martin Cromie. In the Shearling Ram Class, the honours went to Ian & William MacRoberts' Magherally Flock, with S&J Burns' Longbeech Flock taking second place and J. McPolin's Ballei Flock in third. Murray Annett's Milestonehill Flock secured fourth, while Jack Tumelty's Corbally Flock and Cynthia Aiken's Carnew Flock completed the prize line-up.

The Ram Lamb Class was headed by John Trimble's Curley Flock, whose outstanding exhibit claimed both first prize and the Fane Valley Championship. Kiltariff Ltd's Kiltariff Flock secured Reserve Champion after finishing second, while J&R Walmsley's White Water Farm Flock, Murray Annett's Milestonehill Flock, John McPolin's Ballei Flock and N&R O'Hare's Millburn Flock filled the remaining placings.

Aaron Megaw, Fane Valley, and judge Martin Cromie present John Trimble, Curley Flock, with the Fane Valley champion rosette at the NI Texel Sheep Breeder's Club show and saale in Rathfriland.

placeholder image — Aaron Megaw, Fane Valley, and judge Martin Cromie present John Trimble, Curley Flock, with the Fane Valley champion rosette at the NI Texel Sheep Breeder's Club show and saale in Rathfriland.

Trade in the shearling ram section reflected strong confidence in the breed. Topping the shearling ram trade and the top price of the evening with competitive bidding from a packed ringside was John McPolins Ballei third place exhibit, a Sadlerhead Fury son out of a Garngour Craftsman sired dam, selling at 1650gns.

Next in demand at 1,500gns was Longbeech Invictus from the Longbeech Flock of S&J Burns. This second-placed shearling ram is a Cherryvale Hipster son bred from a Glenhone Danger sired dam and attracted considerable buyer attention.

Close behind at 1,450gns was Murray Annett's fourth-placed exhibit from the Milestonehill Flock, a Ballydesland Eddie son out of a Craig Douglas Buster daughter. Two of his penmates, also sons of Ballydesland Eddie, sold to 1,300gns, highlighting the demand for the breeding line. Matching that price was the first-prize winning shearling ram from Ian & William MacRoberts' Magherally Flock, a Tullnasoo Happy Gilmore son bred from a Fairywater Flashlight-sired dam.

The Ram Lamb trade was led by the day's Champion. John Trimble's Curley Flock claimed the top ram lamb price of 1,400gns for the Fane Valley Champion, an impressive Ballynahone Istabraq son out of a Sportsmans Benchmark daughter. The stylish lamb had earlier caught the judge's eye before going on to command the highest bid for a ram lamb.

Aaron Megaw, Fane Valley, and judge Martin Cromie present Jonny Bell, Kiltariff Flock, with the Fane Valley reserve champion rosette at the NI Texel Sheep Breeder's Club show and sale in Rathfriland.

The next highest-priced ram lamb came from N&R O'Hare's Millburn Flock, with their sixth-placed exhibit selling for 1,150gns. This lamb, a Hope Valley C The Stars son out of a Ballykeel Iggle Piggle-sired dam, with great potential, found favour with buyers. Selling for the same money was the fourth place exhibit from Murray Annett’s Milestonehill Flock, a Greenogue I’m Your Man son from a Mullan Forever dam.

Shearling Ram trade averaged 1000gns for 27 sold with a clearance rate of 93%. Ram Lambs averaged 747gns for 52 sold with a clearance rate of 93%.

Fane Valley Pre-Sale Championship

Judge Martin Cromie

Shearling Ram Class

1st Ian & William MacRoberts, Magherally

2nd S&J Burns, Longbeech

3rd John McPolin, Ballei

4th Murray Annett, Milestonehill

5th Jack Tumelty, Corbally

6th Cynthia Aiken, Carnew

Ram Lamb Class

1st (& Fane Valley Champion) John Trimble, Curley

2nd (& Fane Valley Reserve Champion) Kiltariff Ltd, Kiltariff

3rd J&R Walmsley, White Water Farm

4th Murray Annett, Milestonehill

5th John McPolin, Ballei

6th N&R O'Hare, Millburn

Fane Valley Champion: John Trimble, Curley Flock

Fane Valley Reserve Champion: Kiltariff Ltd, Kiltariff Flock

Shearling Ram Trade Leaders

1650gns – John McPolin, Ballei Flock

1,500gns - S&J Burns, Longbeech Flock

1,450gns - Murray Annett, Milestonehill Flock

1,300gns - Murray Annett, Milestonehill Flock

1,300gns - Ian & William MacRoberts, Magherally Flock

1.200gns - Herbert Magowan, Clanrye Flock

1,200gns - G Rodgers, Bohard Flock

1,200gns - S&J Burns, Longbeech Flock

1,150gns - Herbert Magowan, Clanrye Flock

1,150gns - Ian & William MacRoberts, Magherally Flock

Ram Lamb Trade Leaders

1,400gns - John Trimble, Curley Flock

1,200gns – John McPolin, Ballei Flock

1,200gns – Darragh Sloan, Conarrgh Flock

1,150gns - N&R O'Hare, Millburn Flock

1,150gns – Murray Annett, Milestonehill Flock

1,100gns - Mark Priestley's Seaforde Flock

1,100gns – John McPolin, Ballei Flock

1,100gns – Kiltariff Ltd, Kiltariff Flock

1,050gns - N&R O'Hare, Millburn Flock

1,050gns - John Trimble, Curley Flock

1,050gns – Darragh Sloan, Conarrgh Flock

The NI Texel Sheep Breeders Club wish to thank Fane Valley for their sponsorship, Martin Cromie for taking the time to judge the presale show and Rathfriland Market. The quality of stock on display and the solid trade throughout both sections underline the continued demand for top-class Texel genetics.

Upcoming Club Show and Sales will be held in Armoy on 10th September and Enniskillen 11th September.

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

For further information contact Club Secretary Martin Warnock on 07791679112.