Ballymena breeder amongst the top prices at Kendal

AGED ewes were the flavour of the day at the Beltex Sheep Society’s sale at North West Auctions’ Junction 36 Kendal centre on Saturday, January 7, when two sold for 1500gns and 1400gns apiece.

Leading the way at 1500gns was a Belgian import named Utopia Des Quartre Vents from Stuart Wood, who runs the Woodies Flock near Skene, Westhill, Aberdeenshire.

Originally bred by Marc Dejardin and full of Belgian breeding, being by Titan and out of Salome Des Quatre Vents, she sold to Colin Clemmit of the Cloudy Dale Flock near Leyburn scanned with a pair to the 5000gns Vicky’s Gladiator.

Stuart received a further 800gns from Alasdair Prickett of the nearby Farleton House Flock for Woodies Goal Setter ET, which this time sold scanned with a single to the 12,000gns Swffryd Eyecatcher. Her pedigree features Vogue Fastrac on to Smart Ass Welshie, a daughter of The Godfather.

Selling for the second highest price of 1400gns was Mike Davis’ Rathbone Emily, a three-year-old Belvoir View Derminator daughter bred from the Rathbone Bandicoot-sired Rathbone Crystal from the flock near Eldroth, Austwick. She sold to the Askwith family from near Crook, where Harry runs the Askwith Flock, scanned with a pair to the 6200gns Bronic Frederick.

Both the Champion and Reserve females broke the four-figure barrier to sell at 1000gns apiece with the first of these being an Artnagullion gimmer from Elizabeth McAllister, Ballymena, brought out by brother William.

Selling to Phil Cockett for his Ingle View Flock, near Ingleton, scanned with a pair to Glenview Goldie, this Airyolland Eejit daughter is out of Artnagullion Catch, herself by The Bare Boy.

Matching that 1000gns price tag was the Champion, Mortons Gold Dust from Andrew Morton and daughter Kirsty, from near Denny, Stirlingshire. Landing Andrew his third championship ticket on the trot at Kendal, this Ryder Enrique daughter was knocked down to the judge, Tom Belfield, who runs the Boothlow Flock with his brother Jack near Sheen.

Carrying twins to Gyffin Dexter, her dam is Aviemore Elsie 3, a Kingledores Destroyer daughter.