The closing Northern Ireland Texel Sheep Breeders Club ram sale of the season produced a vigorous trade for breeding stock, with two shearling rams shared at the top price of 1,600gns and the shearling section returning a strong average.
Top calls and section averages
Leading the sale was the pre-sale Coleman Ltd champion from Alastair Gault’s Forkins flock. The April-born Forkins Indigo GAF2504536(3), sired by Douganhill Gangster and out of a Procters Deacon Blue daughter, attracted the highest bidding before being knocked down at 1,600gns.
Matching that money was Duvarren Intel WWD2501758(2) from John Watson’s Duvarren flock. The shearling, a son of a homebred sire called Guru and out of a dam by Kilduff Farley, also reached 1,600gns.
| Lot or section | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Coleman Ltd champion (shearling) | Forkins Indigo GAF2504536(3) — sired by Douganhill Gangster | 1,600gns |
| Duvarren shearling | Duvarren Intel WWD2501758(2) — by Guru | 1,600gns |
| Top ram lamb | Lylehill Jet Set GAX2600800(E2) — reserve champion ram lamb | 1,450gns |
| Shearling section average | 24 sold, clearance 100% | 885.50gns |
Other notable sales and show awards
Several shearlings reached 1,200gns, including Tirnageeragh Icup NJC2501156(2) from Henry Gamble’s Springwell consignment, Ballydesland Ivor GBA2501437(E2) from Pat Garrivan, and Glenross Ivan TVG2501475(2) from Nigel Ross. The reserve champion rosette from the pre-sale show was presented to Alan Glendinning’s Lylehill flock while the Coleman Ltd champion rosette went to Alastair Gault’s Forkins flock; the pre-sale show was judged by Rian O’Hare and sponsored by Coleman Ltd.
The ram lamb trade was similarly competitive. The top ram lamb price of 1,450gns went for Lylehill Jet Set GAX2600800(E2), the reserve champion in the pre-sale show, purchased by fellow breeder Murray Annett.
- The shearling section sold 24 rams and achieved a 100% clearance.
- Multiple lots reached 1,200gns, demonstrating depth of demand.
- The sale combined a pre-sale show, sponsored by Coleman Ltd, with a catalogue of competitive breeding lines.
Judge Rian O’Hare undertook the ring duties for the Coleman Ltd pre-sale show and the sale benefitted from the support of club members and consignors who supplied a wide selection of pedigreed Texel sires. The evening’s results underline a continued appetite among breeders in Northern Ireland for high-quality Texel genetics.
Buyers and breeders looking to compare values should note the declared averages and the cleared sections, which indicate a solid outlet for shearling rams and an active market for ram lambs.
