Despite a five-figure top price, Beltex sheep met a disappointing trade with averages down on the year albeit for 29 more sold.

Ian Wainwright of Todhall Farm, Cupar, topped the trade at £10,000 with a shearling ram, sired by Wannop Gaucho. He is bred from Todhall Diamond, a ewe by a 10,000gns Callacrag sire and sold to the Buckles boys – Kevin and sons Jack and Tom of Buckles Farm, Barras, Kirkby Stephen.

Second top price was £5500 paid for a shearling from Alfie and Tommy Taylor, Heatheryhall, Thankerton. He is by Buckles Dark Dawn, out of the home-bred ewe Heatheryhall Echofalls, and was knocked down to an undisclosed buyer.

Northern Ireland breeder, Gary Beacom of the Lakeview flock received £4000 from S Robson, Yatesfield, Hexham for Lakeview Hercules, a shearling by the 7500gns Vogue Galileo which is an ET brother to a 5000gns Lakeview gimmer sold at the Beltex Beauties sale.

Top price for Aberdeenshire breeder, Rory Gregor’s flock who was selling for the first time from his farm at Greenmyre, Old Meldrum was £3000 paid by Messrs Fisher, Duffton House. The shearling is a son of Ainstable Falsified and bred from Gregors Everlong.

Averages: 224 shearling rams, £818.79 (-£235.40 for 29 more sold)