Russell Millen of the Knockmult flock, Coleraine, Londonderry dominated trade at the Swatragh Christmas Show & Sale last Friday evening (15th December 2023) when his run of ewe lambs achieved three of the top seven leading prices. Leading the way at 6000gns was the 1st prize ewe lamb and judge Matthew Simpsons overall champion, Knockmult Gina. With breeding that goes back to the 20000gns Candy Floss, Gina was sired by Wedderburn Finley out of Ty-Gwyn Crystal and found her new home with an undisclosed buyer.
Next up for Russell at 2800gns was Knockmult Google who was also sired by Wedderburn Finley but this time out of an imported ewe. Google which was 3rd place in the pre-sale show sold to judge Matthew Simpson of Tradoes Flock, Kilmarnock.
Next top price was 1st prize shearling ewe and overall reserve champion, Broadwater Fairy, from Mr J Johnston of Broadwater Flock, Aghalee, Co Antrim. Fairy, which is carrying twins to Ty-Gywn Flash, was sired by Ty-Gywn Extreme out of Drumhirk Dolly and sold for 1850gns to W Hoey.
2nd prize Shearling Ewe, Diamond Fritz, from E Allen & A Shortt of Diamond Flock was the next top price realising 1700g. Sired by the renowned Carlaustan Extrovet which has bred progeny to 28000gns and out of Spaniard sired Glencloy Clementine, Fritz, which is in lamb with a single to Drumhirk Decider was sold to Henry Crawford.
5th top price was back with the ewe lambs and a full ET sister to the Champion in Ballintur Glitter Ball from S Killen of Newry, Co Down. Glitter Ball sold for 1500gns to B Henderson.
Other leading prices include another ewe lamb from Russell Millen in Knockmult Gracie and a ewe lamb from J Keye of Bolies Flock of Fivemiletown, Co Tyrone both of which sold for 1250gns to Kevin McDermott and Ben Henderson respectively.
Averages
4 Aged Ewes £840.00
12 Shearling Gimmers £971.25
26 Ewe Lambs £934.09
Show Results:
Class 1 – Aged Ewe
1st Import – IM1817 – R Nelson, Longfield
2nd Glencloy E – 075/E01606 – R Nelson, Longfield
3rd Drumhirk Dreamy – 088/D01715 – S & P Fee, Tullynagowan
Class 2 – Shearling Ewe
1st Broadwater Fairy – 272/F00603 – J Johnston, Broadwater
2nd Diamond Fritz – 086/F01196 – E Allen & A Shortt, Diamond
3rd Derryouge Freda – 229/F00434 – A & C White, Derryouge
4th Sandymount Felisha – 081/F00820 – A H Park, Sandymount
5th Tamneybrake Fiora – 084/F01705 – D McClintock, Tamneybrake
Class 3 – Ewe Lamb
1st Knockmult Gina – 302/G02921 – R Millen, Knockmult
2nd Ballintur Glitter Ball – 452/G04694 – S Killen, Ballintur
3rd Knockmult Google – 302/G02925 – R Millen, Knockmult
4th Fairhead Grace – 410/G09277 – M Dallas, Fairhead
5th Tullynagowan Gen – 252/G00628 – S & P Fee, Tullynagowan
6th Bolies Ginger – 546/G00672 – J Keys, Bolies
Overall Champion
First Prize Ewe Lamb – Knockmult Gina -R Millen, Knockmult
Reserve Champion
First Prize Shearling – Broadwater Fairy – J Johnston, Broadwater