Texel Sale Success at Moira

Despite the ice and snow a number of Texel enthusiasts travelled to Moira Pedigree sales arena on Monday evening when the NI Texel Club held their Annual In-Lamb Ewe Show and Sale.

John Wehrly from Ravensdale, County Louth judging

In the judging ring

John Wehrly from Ravensdale, County Louth judging

A busy ring

The evening commenced with the Closamectin Show generously sponsored by Norbrook Laboratories. John Wehrly, Ravensdale, took on the unenviable job of judging the two classes of quality females, finally choosing his Champion from the gimmer class and pen of Murray Annett, Milestonehill.

The Supreme Champion was owned by Murray Annett, Rathfriland and exhibited by John Trimble. Also included are Jacqueline Hamilton, Norbrook, Sponsors and John Wehrly, Ravensdale, Co Louth, Judge of the event.

This Mellor-Vale Masterpiece (BCM07007), granddaughter changed hands later for £550 in lamb to an excellent carcased Fairywater tup. Standing second in the class to this smart gimmer was a Gruig Outlaw (VMA08124), daughter shown by John Currie from a homebred Annan Jewel (JKA03038), ewe, she later sold to £588. She joins the Long Mountain flock of Wm Cubbitt, Rasharkin.

M and J Watson, Dundonald owned the Reserve Supreme Champion. Michael Watson is pictured exhibiting the prizewinner while Jacqueline Hamilton, Norbrook, sponsors makes a presentation. Looking on is John Wehrly, Ravensdale, Co Louth, Judge.

In the ewe Lamb class the judge placed a smart Glenross sired lamb bred by Michael and James Watson, Hillhead to the top of the line, while standing in second was her pen mate a Kilcoan Pele (TMK09014), daughter from a homebred Hillhead dam. Third place in both classes went to the Kilrail house flock of A&J Young, with a Turin Marvel (MDT06042), gimmer and a Lehinch Obama (LII08022), lamb. The first placed Hillhead lamb went on to take the Reserve Champion’s position before selling for £420.

Michael Watson, Dundonald with M and J Watson's second placed ewe lamb

John Currie, Ballymena with his Second Place in the gimmer class

Highest price of the evening was realised by the Leapoges flock bred by Stewart Ferris for a Cambwell Nugget (LTC07648), daughter out of the 2005 All Ireland Champion bred by Springhill, in lamb to Rowandale Predator (MKR091212). She sold to The Oak Close flock owned by Mrs Rose Boyle for £650, while a second ewe in this pen, a Leapoges Oscar (FLS08026), daughter, sold to £610, she travels to Loughross flock in Co. Donegal.

Considering the inclement weather conditions on the evening, overall the quality ewes on offer saw a steady trade with 58 gimmers selling to an average of over £321.

The Club are indebted to Norbrook Laboratories Closamectin for their continued support in the Sponsorship of this event.

Judging Results

GIMMERS
1st M Annett, Milestonehill
2nd J Currie, Tullagh
3rd A&J Young, Kilrail House
4th S Ferris, Leapoges
5th B&J Gault, Cherryvale
6th S Ferris, Leapoges
7th L&K Beacom, Castleknowe
8th J Trimble, Curley

EWE LAMBS
1st M&J Watson, Hillhead
2nd M&J Watson, Hillhead
3rd A&J Young, Kilrail House
4th L Young, Redford
5th G Tumelty, Aideshill
6th M Tumelty, Castlecor
7th A&J Young, Kilrail House
8th LK Young, Redford

Leading Prices
S Ferris, Leapoges, £650, £610, £368, £315x2,
J Currie, Tullagh, £588, £420, £368, £315
M Annett, Milestonehill, £546, £483, £36, £315
B&J Gault, Cherryvale, £483x2, £420
J Watson, Duvarren, £473, £441, £368