Prices topped at 3,500 guineas at the first Crystal Maze Sale of pedigree in-lamb Texel females on Friday, December 17th, 2021.
84 lots – in-lamb gimmers, ewe lambs and an embryo pregnancy – were catalogued for the sale, which took place at Balmoral Park.
According to organisers, bidding was “brisk” for all lots at the sale, which presented a “golden opportunity to acquire top drawer genetics from some of the best flocks in the business”.
Buyers from right across the UK and Ireland acquired in-lamb gimmers.
Crystal Maze Sale report
Leading the sale was a gimmer from the Knap flock of Robert Cockburn, Perthshire. By Sportsman Cannon Ball and carrying to New View Electrifying, this “exciting” prospect is out of the noted show ewe Knap Yuga Khan.
Following “spirited” bidding, auctioneer, Richard Beattie, knocked her down to Ballymena breeder Johnny Cubitt.
On her heels, at 3,000 guineas, a Hilltop gimmer by Knock Crackerjack, presented by Kenny Pratt, Aberdeen. Selling in-lamb to Cressage Enforcer, and with a 12.5k grand-dam behind her, Patrick & James Murphy, Co Mayo, snapped this one up.
Liam McPolin, Mayobridge paid 2,900 guineas for a hogget from Gordon Gray, Ettrick. With an ET recently sold for 11,000 guineas, there was “keen” interest in this Ettrick cocky Bob daughter, carrying to New View Electrifying.
The Hilltop prefix was back in the money again at 2,600 guineas with another Crackerjack daughter. She sold scanned with twins to Lakeview Earn Your Keep and joins Rian O’Hare, Hilltown.
Sportsman Chieftan sired a 2,500 guineas gimmer from Hilltop, purchased by Martin Millar, Coleraine. She was scanned in-lamb to Far Hey Exterminator.
Also realising 2500 guineas was another Sportsman Cannonball daughter from Knap, selling to Thomas Hogg, Lisbellaw.
The same price was recorded for an Ettrick Cocky Bob daughter carrying to New View Electrifying from the Gray team.
She sold to Robin Creighton, Chelmsford. The same buyer also forked out 2000 guineas to secure a Brackenridge Commander, daughter from Ettrick.
Other sheep prices
Leading the Proctors’ consignment at 2100 guineas was a daughter of Usk Vale Cheeky Charlie carrying to Sportsman Double Diamond. She now joins Brian and Billy Smyth, Co Meath.
Andrew Kennedy’s Maineview flock sold entries to 2000 guineas for a daughter of Farmhill Wizz Kid, secured by Johnny Cubitt, Ballymena.
Another from Maineview sold at 1800 guineas to Pat Farrell, Co Meath. Fairywater Columbo sired this lot, carrying twins to Alderview Explosive.
The Lakeview flock of Gary Beacom sold to 1900 guineas forked out by Danny Murray, Pettigo for a Langside Bushwhacker daughter carrying to Glenside Emerald.
The entire crop of gimmers from David Warwick Braehead met with “spirited” bidding. Topping at 1800 guineas was a Sportsman Batman, daughter that Mark Patterson, Crumlin secured.
Alan Glendinning, Tobermore paid out 1800 guineas for another from Braehead; this time sired by Knock Bantastic.
Crystal Maze Sale report: Support
In a statement following the sale, organisers said:
“The Braehead, Cowal, Ettrick, Hilltop, Knap, Lakeview, Maineview, Milnbank, Mullan, Procters, Strathbogie and Tullagh flocks would like to thank all those who attended their sale and purchased or bid for lots.”
“Also to Richard Beattie and his team for conducting the auction, all of the sponsors for their generosity and Libby Clarke for her assistance.”
Read more sheep news.
 from Crystal Maze Sale of Texel sheep which took place at Balmoral Park on Friday, December 17th, 2021.){kind=link}