Despite the bitter chill in the air at Carlisle for the 2023 pedigree in lamb sheep fair last Friday (1st December) trade for Dutch Spotted sheep was hot and surpassed the other breeds selling there on the day proving once again Dutch Spotted can outcompete other breeds.
With judge Chris Johnston, of Johnstown Flock, County Tyrone, at the helm it was his overall champion, Milltown Good Girl which topped the trade at 3500gns. Knocked down to O Watson of Pennington, Cumbria; Good Girl was bred by Tommy Jackson and is sired by the renowned Carlaustan Extrovert out of the 9000gns Glencloy Cherry.
The same buyer bought her full ET sister, Milltown Gabby, an end of January born ewe lamb at 2400gns.
Reserve champion went to 1st prize in lamb shearling ewe Merryboro Fluer, from Tom & Lousie Nash of Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire. Fleur, out of Merryboro Cracker sired Merryboro Diamond and sired by Dutch Dominator is carrying twin lambs to McDermotts Fireman and sold to 3000gns to Messrs Williams and Co, Abergele, Clwyd.
Hailing also from Haverfordwest, this time from Brian Davies, were two imported shearling ewes. ‘Flymetothemoon’ and ‘Fingerlickinggood’, both bred by Joost Louter and served by Dutch Magic Man, realised 2200gns and 2000gn, selling to Messrs Ridley of Richmond, North Yorkshire, and Messrs Skinner of Huntly Aberdeenshire, respectively.
Father and daughter team, Andy Beattie and Lauren Kennedy of Carlaustan Flock, Kippen, Stirling, sold their shearling Ewe Carlaustan Filly, in lamb with twins by Mount Pleasant George, to 1800gns to I Scott, Kirkwall, Orkney.
This authors favourite was 1st prize aged ewe, Navac Erin, from I Jones of Spot On Flock, Llanelli, Carmarthen. Erin, bred by C Macquire, is in lamb to Cnwch Emrys due the end of January and was knocked down at 1600gns to Messrs Croft of Skipton, North Yorkshire.
Other leading prices included 2nd prize shearling ewe Back Tor Ferrari from J Simpson & S Shirt of Derbyshire which sold to Messrs Lawrence of Pembrokeshire at 1700gns and shearling ewe Mount Pleasant Florence from G Jackson of Bentham which sold to Messrs Ridley of Richmond, North Yorkshire at 1600gns.
Averages
6 Aged Ewes £1137.50
34 Shearling Gimmers £1190.51
32 Ewe Lambs £696.60
Show Results:
Class 1 – Aged Ewe
1st Navac Erin – I Jones, Spot On
2nd Mount Pleasant Eliza – G Jackson, Mount Pleasant
3rd Grayrigg Foot Elegant Enzo – J Dixon, Grayrigg Foot
4th Tardoes Erica Maria - M & J Simpson, Tardoes
5th Tardoes Eminent Koos – M & J Simpson, Tardoes
Class 2 – Shearling Ewe
1st – Merryboro Fleur – T & L Nash, Merryboro
2nd Back Tor Ferrari – J Simpson & S Shirt, Back Tor
3rd Back Tor Flora – J Simpson & S Shirt, Back Tor
4th Grayrigg Foot Fly – J Dixon, Grayrigg Foot
5th Tiptop Felena – A Jackson, Tiptop
6th A Jackson, Tiptop
Class 3 – Ewe Lamb
1st Milltown Good Girl – T Jackson, Milltown
2nd Back Tor Gracie – J Simpson & S Shirt, Back Tor
3rd Milltown Gabby – T Jackson, Milltown
4th Mount Pleasant Groovy – G Jackson, Mount Pleasant
5th Tiptop Gilly – A Jackson, Tiptop
6th Spot On Galaxy – I Jones, Spot On
Overall Champion
First Prize Ewe Lamb – Milltown Good Girl – T Jackson, Milltown
Reserve Champion
First Prize Shearling Ewe – Merryboro Fleur – T & L Nash, Merryboro