NI Texel Sheep Breeders Club final ram sale ends season on a high

Leading the evening’s trade at 1,600gns was the pre-sale Coleman Ltd champion from Alastair Gault's Forkins flock. The April-born Forkins Indigo GAF2504536(3) attracted significant interest before selling to top the sale. Sired by Douganhill Gangster and out of a Procters Deacon Blue daughter, he combined powerful breeding with an eye-catching presence proving a popular choice with buyers.

Matching the evening's top call at 1,600gns was Duvarren Intel WWD2501758(2) from John Watson's Duvarren flock. A son of the homebred Guru and out of a dam by Kilduff Farley, this stylish shearling also found favour among buyers.

The next highest price of 1,200gns was reached by several exhibitors. Henry Gamble's Springwell consignment sold Tirnageeragh Icup NJC2501156(2), a son of Cherryvale Highclass out of an Alderview Explosive daughter which had been used as a service sire. Joining him at the same money was Pat Garrivan's Ballydesland Ivor GBA2501437(E2), a homebred shearling by Ballydesland Eddie out of a Millars Diego sired dam. Also making 1,200gns was Nigel Ross's Glenross Ivan TVG2501475(2), a son of Forkins Gangsta from a Deveronvale Aftershock daughter.

The shearling section returned a highly encouraging trade overall, averaging 885.50gns for 24 sold, with an achievement of a 100% clearance rate.

The ram lamb section also enjoyed a buoyant trade, headed by the reserve champion from Alan Glendinning's Lylehill flock. Lylehill Jet Set GAX2600800(E2) topped the ram lamb trade at 1,450gns, selling to fellow breeder Murray Annett of the Milestonehill flock. The stylish lamb is sired by Annefield Idol and out of a Lylehill Gunshot daughter, combining proven breeding lines with tremendous potential with full brothers selling earlier in the year to 3200gns.

Next best among the lambs was Peter Boyd's Poseyhill Jamesy XPB2602024(E2), which sold for 1,000gns after attracting strong bidding. The lamb is a son of Brague Iceman and out of a Forkins Finn McCool daughter.

Trade remained consistent at 950gns, where two further favourites changed hands. Nigel Ross's Glenross Joker RVG2601533(2), a son of Ballybroogan Fiddler out of a Tamnamoney Cranberries sired dam, shared the price with Jack Gault's Cherryvale Jackpot GCN2604804(2). Jackpot carries breeding from Ballynahone Istabraq on the sire's side and is out of a Charben Fantastic daughter.

Ram Lambs averaged 622.62gns for 64 and 100% clearance rates.

As the final sale of the season, the event underlined the strength of the Texel breed across Northern Ireland. The consistent demand for texel rams demonstrated buyers' confidence in performance and carcass traits of the breed. Excellent clearance rates, and solid averages are testament to the dedication of breeders investing in meeting the needs of buyers. With another ram sales season now complete, breeders can reflect on a successful year while already looking ahead to the next generation of Texels.

Leading Prices

Shearling Rams

J Watson 1150gns

A Irwin 1050gns

RS Robinson 900gns; 900gns

B McAllister 850gns; 750gns

M Annett 750gns

M&J Watson 750gns

Ram Lambs

B Hanthorn 900gns; 850gns

N Ross 850gns

P Boyd 850gns

S&J McCollam 800gns

J Wilkinson 800gns

A Glendinning 800gns; 800gns

Coleman Ltd Pre-Sale Show Results

Judge Rian O’Hare

Sponsor Coleman’s Ltd, Glarryford

Shearling Ram Class

1. Alastair Gault Forkins

2. Henry Gamble Springwell

3. John Watson Duvarren

4. B McAllister Artnagullion

5. M Watson Hillhead

Ram Lamb Class

1. A Glendinning Lylehill

2. J Gault Cherryvale

3. Mena & Colleen McCloskey Ard Dubh

4. James Boyd Crawfordsland

5. J&B Hanna Ballylackey

6. Sam McNeilly Titanium

Champion: Alastair Gault Forkins with Shearling Ram

Reserve: Alan Glendinning Lylehill with ram lamb