Demand for Valais Blacknose sheep soared to new levels at the breed show and sale at Carlisle, where a new record of 30,000gns was achieved and another four sold at five-figure prices.
Surpassing the previous breed high of 18,000gns was the female champion, Ayrshire Ingrid from Tom Blackwood, Stewarton.
This September 2021-born ewe by Shoemakers Victor and out of Moorahill Harriet was knocked down to new breeder, Anthony Barney, Palé Hall Hotel, Pale Estate, LLandderfel, Bala.
The first Valais Blacknose to have scored maximum points at the pre-sale show in 2022, 2023 and 2024, Ingrid sold due in October to Highland Glen.
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Mr Barney purchased the top four highest priced lots to establish the Palé Valais Blacknose. He forked out 22,000gns for the reserve male champion, Deepdale Luca, a February-born ram lamb from Heather Adams, Taddington, Buxton. His pedigree includes Highland Incredible Hulk and the dam, Deepdale Isla.
Another ram lamb from the same home and by Incredible Hulk made 19,000gns. This was Deepdale Lookout, a March-born entry out of Deepdale Fifi.
The last of Mr Barney’s big purchases at 20,000gns was Peter Self’s shearling, Lacock Karter, from White Hall Farm, Lacock, Chippenham. An ET-bred ram and the result of a flush from a Gemstones ewe, he is sired by Cumberland Imanuel.
The other big spender was Jane Lauber, Nymet Barton, Crediton, Devon, who went to 13,000gns, 7000gns and 6500gns for females.
Dearest was Gerallt and Kerry Jones’ Snowdonia Kala, a gimmer sired by Snowdonia Hustle out of Moorahill Fifi, from Pant Gwyn, Waunfawr, Caernarfon. Falkirk-based breeders, Robbie and Katrina Taylor of the Whiterigg flock, Maddiston, also had a good day with gimmers selling at 7000gns and 6500gns. Whiterigg Kiltie Cauld Bum, a gimmer by Moorahill Giant and out of Whiterigg Isadora, made 7000gns.
Whiterigg Juniper a daughter of Whiterigg Goliath bred from Whiterigg Heidelinde then made 6500gns again to Ms Lauber.
Making 4000gns in a two-way split between Bruce Weir, Torsonce Mains, Stow and Duncan MacGregor, Burnhead, Glasgow, was Wildheart King, an ET bred from Riggmoor Vivi and sired by Jura Frago. It was consigned by R Wildman and K McQuattie, Bromstead, Newport.
Scottish breeders also came up with the goods at the pre-sale show of sheep, most of which were not for sale. The show was judged by Jenni McAllister of the Highland flock, Tomintoul and Jamie Wood, Prendwick, Northumberland, alongside Swiss graders Pascal Dini and Philip Schmid
As well as winning the female championship and topping the sale with Ayrshire Ingrid, Tom Blackwood won the supreme championship with Kinneff Jacobsen.
And Robbie and Katrina Taylor, Whiterigg, won the 12-18-month-old female class with Whiterigg Keepsake.
Averages: 22 females £3467.00; nine rams, £7921.00.
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