Breed records were smashed at the three-day Beltex Sheep Society sale at Carlisle, when Matt's Flash Harry ET produced a new lamb best of 45,000gns.

The lamb, from Northern Ireland breeder, Mathew Burleigh, sold to Paul and Christine Tippetts, buying for their Hackney and Wilodge flocks from Shropshire and Jamie Jerman, of the Brilley flock.

February-born, Flash Harry is by the 11,000gns Kingledores Edmund and out of Matt's Do Nut, a Hackney Corker daughter.

Overall, 161 ram lambs averaged £1664, a rise of more than £450 on the year albeit for 31 fewer sold, while the 246 gimmers sold the same day levelled at £920, again up more than £250 with 30plus fewer cashed, from top prices of 7000gns twice.

Shearlings rams sold on the Thursday and Friday also sold well, with the first day witnessing an average just shy of £1400 at £1396 for 303 against 687 at £1152 at the same sale last year. Averages were much on a par on the second day with 347 shearlings levelling at £1403. Overall, some 653 shearlings were cashed to average £1390 compared to 687 at £1152 at the 2019 two-day event.

Aberdeenshire breeder, Stuart Wood had a flying trade on both days, selling the sale leader at 16,000gns on the first day, while his young son Murray, sold the dearest on the second at 14,000gns.

The 16,000gns Thursday leader was Woodies Explosive, purchased by fellow Aberdeenshire breeder, Alan Miller, Lurg. He is by the 5000gns Bailey Brook CR7 and bred from the Loandhu Bonzo-sired Woodies Crunchie Nut.

Living up to his name on the second day's shearling sale and selling for 14,000gns was Murrays Expert purchased Matthew Burleigh, buying for his Northern Ireland-based Matt's flock. The breeding behind this transaction includes the 4200gns Kingledores Demonstrator, out of an imported ewe bought at a Belgian dispersal.

For full report and pictures see this week's Scottish Farmer