Ballymaconnelly dazzle at Dorset Diamonds in Ballymena

The Dorset Diamonds event, which has continued to grow in stature, was another great success for the club and the breed. While many sheep made four figure sums, it was Lot 70 from Samuel and Elaine Caldwell, Ballymaconnelly Iceman, who topped the sale at an impressive 4,600 gns. The ram lamb, by Ballycraig Express and out of a homebred ewe by Lisnafillan Dylan, is a twin brother to the Champion at the Dorset Emeralds Sale in Worcester the previous week. It was father and son team, Thomas and Sam Wright, who secured Iceman after an exciting flurry of bidding and finished the Caldwell’s week of success in style.

Jeremy Durrant, Hydes Flock, Essex, was tasked with expertly judging the pre-sale show. He tapped out the first-place shearling ram, Ballyhamage Hideaway (Lot 25) from James and Craig Robson, as his Champion. No stranger to the showring, Hideaway was Durrant’s first choice in the ram lamb class at the National Show 2025 in Armagh, which he also judged. By Bencran Frank and out of Ballyhamage E299, Hideaway is a maternal relative of the Swatragh Show and Sale 2023 Champion. Also impressing in the sales ring, the shearling ram sold for 2,100gns to Samuel and Elaine Caldwell, Rasharkin.

In Reserve Champion position was Ballytaggart Immense from Thomas and Sam Wright, coming first in a very large class of strong ram lambs. Immense is out of Ballytaggart F2900 and by Ballymaconnelly Hob-Nob, who was the Champion and top price at last year’s Diamonds Sale. The judge particularly fancied the winning ram lamb as he later purchased him for 2,900gns.

Opposite sex to the Champion winner was Lot 4, the class-winning ewe lamb from Raymond Hill, Olivertree Flock, who sold online to Andy Tate, Londonderry. A small consignment from Laura Weir made up the shearling ewe class with Lot 2 coming first and Lot 3 taking second, making 400gns and 420gns in the sales ring respectively.

Strong prices were seen throughout the sale and the 92.98% sell through rate reflected high demand and confident buyer interest. Well-bred rams and quality ewe lambs attracted particularly competitive bidding, with buyers keen to secure strong genetics ahead of the breeding season. The consistent trade highlighted both the reputation of Dorset sheep for productivity and the positive outlook among breeders, as vendors were rewarded with excellent returns across a wide range of lots.

All 14 ewe lambs through the ring were sold to average of £570.75, up 28.8% on 2025. Lot 10 from James and George McKeown, Castlemount Flock, was purchased as a foundation ewe by first-time Dorset breeder Matthew McLucas, Donegal, for 1000gns. Following closely behind, Lot 6 sold for Mark Hamilton, Cavandarragh Flock, in an online purchase by Gemma Parke, Strabane. The second-place ewe lamb from Rachel Moore’s Bannside Flock, Lot 20, went to Jordan Hall, Lisnaskea, for 700gns.

Similarly, the four shearling rams put forward were all sold to an average of £1063.12. Second section price to the Champion’s 2,100gns was another of James and Craig Robson’s pen, Ballyhamage Hilfiger, selling to Helen Johnston, Moneymore, for 1,050gns.

Buyers had their choice of ram lambs with 35 through the ring and 33 sold, making an average of £1065.27. While both Ballymaconnelly Iceman and the Reserve Champion dominated in the sales ring, many breeders achieved very strong prices. Ellen McClure sold her two smart ram lambs, Lots 50 and 51, to Bolton breeder Richard Fritton, Dynamite Dorsets, for 2100gns and 2500gns respectively. Rachel Moore also had great success with her pen, selling Lot 62, Bannside I’m The Man, for 1,800gns to T Richmond, Ballymoney, and Lot 63, Bannside Iceman, for 1050gns to Allister McNeill, Toomebridge. Richard Currie sold Lot 27, Hilltop Ignition to A, Beck, Kilkeel for 1600gns. While Maineview’s A & C Kennedy sold Lot 33 for 1.500gns to G Heggarty, Omagh, and Lot 34 for 1,000gns to Adam and Cathy Armour, Bushmills. Ellen McClure, Dundrod, purchased Lot 65 from Michael and Catherine Maybin for 1,400gns.

Speaking on the show and sale, the judge Jeremy Durrant was impressed by “the quality, quantity and standard of sheep. The Champion was a super shearling ram who had a strong front and back end. He had heaps of presence and character, and it was great to see his progression from the National Show last June. I would like to thank the club for asking me back to judge and for their hospitality.”

Club Chairman, Samuel Caldwell, also reflected on a successful show, “Our Diamonds Sale has cemented its reputation for attracting quality sheep. It gives breeders the first pick of the autumn born lambs in advance of the spring tupping season to introduce new bloodlines and strengthen established flocks. The Club would like to thank the breeders, buyers and sponsors who make it all possible”.

The next NI Dorset Club event is their National Show which is being held at Limavady Show on Saturday, 18th July 2026. Visit the Club’s Facebook page to keep up to date with news and events.

Class averages 2026: 14 ewe lambs sold to average – £570.75 2 shearling ewes sold to average – £430.50 33 ram lambs sold to average – £1065.27 4 shearling rams sold to average – £1,063.12

Dorset Club NI Dorset Diamonds 2026 Results

Judge: Mr Jeremy Durrant, Hydes Flock, Essex

Shearling Ewe

1st Lot 2, Laura Weir

2nd Lot 3, Laura Weir

Ewe Lamb

1st Lot 4, Raymond Hill

2nd Lot 20, Rachel Moore

3rd Lot 13, Laura Weir

4th Lot 19, Rachel Moore

5th Lot 14, Kerry & James Glass

Shearling Ram

1st Lot 25, J & C Robson

2nd Lot 24, Laura Weir

3rd Lot 26, J & C Robson

4th Lot 23, Laura Weir

Ram Lamb

1st Lot 32, T G Wright

2nd Lot 70, Samuel & Elaine Caldwell

3rd Lot 50, Ellen McClure

4th Lot 54, Raymond Hill

5th Lot 33, A & C Kennedy

6th Lot 62, Rachel Moore

Overall Champion

Lot 25, J & C Robson

Reserve Champion

Lot 32, T G Wright

Opposite Sex To Champion

Lot 4, Raymond Hill