Mark Priestley's Limestone flock from Seaforde, had a field day at the Suffolk Premier Export show and sale at Ballymena, selling three of the top five highest prices, including joint lead at 11,000gns.
In all, Mr Priestley sold six lambs to average just shy of £6500, with his dearest being the No 3, a son of Sportsmans Masterplan bred from a ewe by Limestone Aston Martin that was bred from a Strathbogie ewe that was an ET sister to the 20,000gns Strathbogie Jackpot. The January-born lamb was knocked down to Michael and Caolan McNally of the Benedyglen flock from Dungiven, who sold the second 11,000gns lamb.
His full ET brother made 8500gns to James Ludgate, Scotsgrove, Oxfordshire.
The second prize ram lamb at Balmoral Show from Limestone made 10,000gns when the hammer fell to P Grant, Kilco, Newry, Co Down. Sired by Rhaeadr Rockshore, this January-born ET lamb is bred from Limestone Queen Bee, a Convoy Pablo Escobar daughter that has bred sons to 7000gns and 5500gns.
Having bought the 11,000gns Limestone lamb, Michael and Caolan McNally, recouped that money and more, selling their second lamb for 11,000gns to John McKay, Ballymoney, Co Antrim. Late December-born, this lamb is bred from a Forkins ewe by Ballinatone Show Stopper and sired by Cairnton Chaos. Benedyglen sold five lambs to average £3822.
Jack Smyth and Emma McElhill of the Bessiebell flock from Newtownstewart, Co Tyrone, also had a good day, selling five to average £4242 with a top price of 10,000gns for their second lamb. A son of last year's 8000gns Bessiebell Bandit, used on loan, he is bred from a home-bred ewe by Landale Step Ahead that is a full sister to 4000gns and 3500gns gimmers. The January-born lamb sold to John Robson, Augher, Co Tyrone.
Three lambs sold for 6000gns with the first being the reserve champion from Richard Wilson's Shannagh flock from Raphoe, Donegal. A January-born triplet lamb, he is sired by the 8000gns Ballynacannon Iron Mike and out of a home-bred ewe by Limestone Aston Martin daughter. The lamb was another purchase of P Grant, Kilco.
Matching that price was the pen leader from James Alexander's Jalex flock, Randalstown, Co Antrim, purchased by Steven and Louise Buckley, Derbyshire. This January-born entry by Redbrae Majestic, and is out of a Stockton ewe by Stockton Percy.
Richard Thompson, Ballinatone, Lifford, gave the final 6000gns bid for a January-born lamb from Dennis Taylor's Ballynacannon flock, Coleraine. A son of Limestone Springbok he is out of a Rhaeadr Rastafari sired-dam.
The pre-sale champion made 5500gns for Martin and Eoin Butler, Rathkenny, Ballymena. This December-born entry is another by Cairnton Chaos and bred from a Crewlands ewe bought at the flock dispersal for 3500gns as a ewe lamb. The buyer was S Gorman, Montrose, Dublin.
averages: 126 ram lambs, £2066.55; 10 gimmers, £966.00; six ewe lambs, £700.00
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