Texel festive flyer soars to 7000 guineas

A fantastic crowd descended on Ballymena Mart for the highly anticipated Festive Crackers In Lamb Texel Sale, which saw prices soar to 7000 guineas.

The sale topper was “Bellefield Ellie”, produced by Stewart Ferris, Dromore. Full of potential, this daughter of Harestone Crackerjack is from one of the leading female lines at Bellefield and carries in lamb to Haddo Floyd. She was snapped up by Gary Beacom, Lakeview.

Robert Cockburn travelled from Perthshire with a top-notch consignment from his Knap flock. These sold to a height of 4000 guineas for a daughter of Sportsmans Cannon Ball carrying to Haddo Falcon and joins the Lylehill flock of A Glendinning.

The same willing seller also notched up 3500 guineas for a paternal sister to the last, who is full sister to Knap Daisy Duke. Mark Priestly and E Branagan, Largy, found this gimmer too tempting to miss.

WJ Cubitt, Long Mountain Texels, paid out 3000 guineas for a daughter of the highly regarded Daisy Duke, selling in lamb to Haddo Fabio.

The Knap team sold away well with two more lots changing hands at 3200 guineas. This was paid for two full sisters sired by Sportsmans Deal Breaker carrying to Haddo Falcon. These now join L McPolin, Tamnaharry, and EG Thomas, Wales.

Gary Beacom’s Lakeview flock peaked at 3000 guineas paid to Robert Cockburn for his ET sister to this year’s Balmoral Interbreed Champion. This stylish gimmer is out of Castlecairn Doodlebug and carries in lamb to Spellbound Fame & Fortune.

The top price in Brian Hanthorn’s Mullan pen was 2700 guineas for a daughter of Sportsman Batman. She was bought on the night by A McCafferty to establish a new flock.

The Drumderg prefix of Alistair Breen saw a lead call of 2600 guineas in his draft. This was for a Sportsmans Cannon Ball daughter carrying to Mullan Eureka, and she now joins the Knap flock.

There was spirited bidding right from the first lot to hit the sale ring resulting in a 92 per cent clearance at an average of £1,358. All of the flock owners were delighted with how well received their stock were and wish their customers every success with their new additions.

Next year’s Festive Crackers Sale will take place at Ballymena Mart on Tuesday, December 19.

Leading prices: Bellefield 7000, 2700, 2100, 1600; Knap 4000, 3500, 3200, 3200, 3000, 2700, 2700, 2500, 2400, 2200, 2000; Lakeview 3000, 2500, 2000; Mullan 2700, 1800, 1800; Drumderg 2600, 1800; Tullagh 1400.