Breed records were smashed at the Valais Blacknose sale at Carlisle, when Cheshire Incredible Hulk, a two-year-old ram made 18,000gns.

The ram, from Steve Dace’s Cheshire-based flock, boasts the best of Swiss Bloodlines with his grand sire being the maximum pointed Swiss ram Hulk.

The tup, a son of Fernyford Alfred, out of Fernyford Doris Day, was awarded maximum points himself here last year went on to stand champion The Royal Cheshire this year. He sold to Iwan White Evans of Vale View Valais Blacknose.

Second top price was 7000gns paid for Valerie Carner’s male champion at the pre-sale show, Blackwoodridge Jack, a shearling from Waterbeck, Lockerbie. His pedigree also features Swiss genetics with the sire, Westmorland Fred, being sired by the imported ram Prendwick Eros, while the dam, Hebridean Fallan, is by the Swiss-bred Hebridean Hakki. Jack headed home with Richard Beattie from Omagh, Co Tyrone.

Ewe lambs peaked at 6000gns for Henry and Emily Duncan’s Whitehall Kaleidoscope, a February-born daughter of Highland Fergus, out of Whitehall Gooseberry from Kirkmahoe, Dumfries. Full sister to the 5500gns Whitehall Jasmine and the 5000gns Whitehall Hyacinth, she also sold across the water, to Co Antrim, with Messrs Gray, Muckamore,

Next at 5000gns, Messrs Patchett, Northallerton, bought the yearling ram, Blackthorn Jackpot James, from Leicester breeder, Daisy Fovargue. Her September 2022-born entry is by Hatton Gino and out of the Highland Montana-sired New Forest Edith.

Heather Adams’ Deepdale flock from Buxton, was another in the money with 18-month-old ram sales at 4500gns and 3500gns.

The dearest, Deepdale Jammy Dodger, is by Beech Farm Import, a son of a Swiss ram, with the dam being the Westmorland Derrick-sired, Deepdale Florrie. Jammy Dodger sold down to Dorset with Messrs Robinson, Mosterlon.

The same sire was behind the 3500gns Deepdale Jewel, purchased by Henry and Emily Duncan of the Whitehall flock, Dumfries.

The show, staged the previous day, attracted almost 200 entries and included the grading of all sheep. Using an adopted points system from Valais, Switzerland, grading is carried out to ensure that the highest breed standards are maintained in Britain.

Every Valais breeder strives to achieve the ultimate accolade of ‘maximum points’ and this year, grading was carried out by Phil Garrod, Chris Slee, and Marita Tauni, all respected breeders from the Swiss Upper Valais Sheep Breeders Association.

In all, 190 animals were graded of which the accolade of maximum points was awarded to 11% of the entries.

The highest-graded sheep were eligible for Saturday’s competition and those gathered were able to witness the finest sheep in the UK compete for the coveted title of 2023 Blacknose Beauties supreme champion.

Jackie and Jack Simonini of Valais Blacknose Sheep Lakeland were awarded their first overall supreme with the two-year-old ewe, Moorahill Ingot.

Reserve champion went to the rising two-year-old ewe, Ayrshire Ingrid, from Tom and Joan Blackwood of the Ayrshire flock. Male champion was Valerie Cartner’s 18-month-old ram, Blackwoodridge Jack, with the runner up in this section presented to Gerallt and Kerry Jones’ 17-month-old ram, Snowdonia Jago.

Some 24 youngsters were forward for the young handlers competition, with the age eight and under won by Penny Wood of Valais Blacknose Northumberland. Best young handler aged nine and over was awarded to Izzy Jacobsen of Valais Blacknose Kinneff.

During this year’s event, the society also raised £8000 for the Charlie Dallas Lancaster Foundation (C.D.L. Foundation), which help and supports organisations and individuals working within the Mental Health and Suicide prevention sphere.