Friday, March 29, 2024
8 C
Galway
HomeFarming NewsCrystal Maze Export Sale ‘a must’ for all Texel enthusiasts
Catherina Cunnane
Catherina Cunnanehttps://www.thatsfarming.com/
Catherina Cunnane hails from a sixth-generation drystock and specialised pedigree suckler enterprise in Co. Mayo. She currently holds the positions of editor and general manager at That's Farming, having joined the firm during its start-up phase in 2015.
Reading Time: 5 minutes

Crystal Maze Export Sale ‘a must’ for all Texel enthusiasts

Organisers of the forthcoming Crystal Maze Export Sale of pedigree Texel females claim “top” notch entries will come under the hammer this week.

The Crystal Maze Sale has 84 lots catalogued, consisting of in-lamb gimmers, ewe lambs and an embryo pregnancy.

The sale will occur at Balmoral Park on Friday evening, December 17th, at 6.30 pm.

In a statement, organisers said:

“This sale is an absolute must for all Texel enthusiasts. It is a golden opportunity to acquire top drawer genetics from some of the best flocks in the business.”

Auctioneer, Richard Beattie, who is conducting the sale, said:
“Catalogues have been flying out since details hit the press recently.”

- Advertisement -

“We are very much looking forward to this export sale. Every lot is bursting at the seams with impressive proven bloodlines that would be an addition to any flock.”

Crystal Maze Export Sale

The first flock to hit the sale ring will be Lakeview from Gary Beacom, who has consigned seven gimmers, including Rhaeadr Ace and Langside Bushwhacker daughters.

The majority of these sell in lamb to Castlecairn Doodlebug 38k, who has bred rams to 75,000gns to date.

David Warwicks Braehead prefix is next up, with his entire crop of gimmers set to go under the hammer.

These are mostly by Sportsman A Star 135k, with Knock Bantastic, who has sired sons to 200,000gns. These sell in-lamb to the recently acquired Kildowney Evo.

UK flocks

Local Texel breeders have joined forces with counterparts on the mainland for this event, with several UK flocks featuring.

Kenny Pratt’s Hilltop prefix will be the first of these to go under the hammer.

Representing some of the flock’s leading female lines, the Hilltop gimmers are mostly out of Knock Crackerjack.

Service sires here are the 38k Cressage Enforcer, and Lakeview Earn Your Keep 18k.

John and Richard Currie have selected several “well-bred prospects” from their Tullagh flock.

These gimmers feature sires such as Teiglum Braveheart, Midlock Yorkie and Ballynahone Cantona.

They are scanned in-lamb to proven rams, Ballygroogan Distraught and Hexel Dallas, and a recent purchase, Craighead Eyecatcher.

Braveheart’s daughters have gone on to breed well, with sons selling to 17K and 24K at Lanark 2021.

The consignment includes a full sister to Tullagh Dragon sold for 3,000gns last year.

Knap Texels (Robert Cockburn) will have seven gimmers and two ewe lambs forward for sale. These are mostly by Sportsman Cannon Ball.

Their entries include a number from the Textravaganza Supreme Champion Knap Daisy Duke.

The gimmers sell scanned in-lamb to New View Electrifying 24k, and Lakeview Earn Your Keep 18k.

For those with their eye on tapping into Sportsmans Express 75k genetics, the Campbell’s Cowal flock has several choice gimmers scanned in-lamb to this sire.

These are by Teiglum Charmer 12k, whose dam is a full sister to Alabama 40k (sire of 100k Sportsmans Batman). Charmer also has a “smart” ewe lamb included in the Cowal entry.

Other entries 

Meanwhile, Gordon Gray has enjoyed a fantastic year with his Ettrick flock, having been placed Scottish Flock Champion. He also secured many top tickets at both the Highland and Great Yorkshire Shows.

This has spilt over into the sale ring with ram lambs selling at 26,000gns and 17,000gns. A successful trip to Kelso yielded an average of £3,730 for their pen of 13 rams, all by homebred sires.

The Ettrick entry for the Crystal Maze sale includes ET sisters and females from the same lines as these rams.

An embryo pregnancy from the Mullan flock kicks off the entries from the Hanthorn Family. By Mullan Extra Special, the dam of this embryo has bred “the best ewe lamb this year” and is by Mullan Campese, whose full brother sold for 48,000gns.

Extra Special is a full brother to the “much admired” Eureka 9k, and has been used as service sire for the Mullan entries.

A selection of gimmers from Andrew Kennedy’s Maineview flock will be sold in-lamb to the recent joint purchase Alderview Explosive 20k.

These include daughters of Fairywater Columbo, Farmhill Wizz Kid and Deveronvale Aftershock, who the breeder considers to be out of the flock’s best stock ewes.

Other entries 

Furthermore, Robbie Wilson’s Milnbank prefix has eight strong Gimmers on offer by the fantastic 15k Knock Yardsman.

He has bred sons to 40k and grandsons to 100k, while daughters have sold to 17k.

This is an “exciting” opportunity to purchase gimmers in-lamb to Harestone Eldorado purchased in Lanark for 17,000gns.

Also, Procters Farms have selected gimmers from Sportsmans Batman and Procters Charmer.

According to the breeder, female lines trace back to top-performing ewes in this high performing flock. Procters’ rams recently topped out at 80,000gns.

Included in their Crystal Maze entries is a gimmer from the same family as their record priced female sold at 46,000guineas.

The final flock to present females is the Strathbogie prefix from James Innes & Sons. An entry of 8 strong gimmers will go under the hammer, with the majority by the successful Knock Yardsman.

These sell scanned in-lamb to Cressage Enforcer, which they purchased for 38,000 guineas.

Viewing and bidding at Crystal Maze Export Sale

Viewing from 4 pm with the auction at 6.30 pm. According to organisers, all stock are eligible for immediate export.

Full pedigree details are available to view on beattie.marteye.ie

Organisers extend a “warm welcome” to all to attend. For those wishing to bid online, please ensure that you register in advance with Marteye.

Enquiries to Richard Beattie on 07984694616 / 07730133021.

Sheep price updates.

- Advertisment -

Most Popular