Carlisle
The new format, enforced by Bluetongue regulations, saw this sale being the first of many pedigree sales this autumn, being split between Harrison & Hetherington auctions at Lockerbie and Carlisle. On the whole it seemed to work quite well, with buyers filling the ringside at both centres.
Topping the sale and dominating the two days trading was the Tiptop flock from Ali and Hannah Jackson. Tiptop Ironman stood second in the tup lamb class, full of power and confirmation, he caught the eye and combined with some cracking bloodlines, by Whatmore Forty Winx, is the full brother to the first prize tup lamb and gimmer lamb from the Highland Show this year. He was bid to 5000gns and knocked down to Alan Robb, Chalmerston. The same buyer was back to the pen later in the sale to pick up the top priced female from the sale too when he took a fancy to Tiptop Harper after she won the gimmer shearling class, shelling out 4000gns for her. This sharp gimmer is out of Tiptop Enchantress, the flocks show sheep, and by the imported tup “Dutchman” which has had a great impact on the breed here, winning male champion at the Highland show in 2022 before going to be one half of the Interbreed Pairs at the same show that year. The Tiptop flock also won the gimmer lamb class with Tiptop Ivory, full sister to Ironman. She was crowned female Champion before going on to take the days reserve championship and then selling for 2800gns to the Hazelberry flock.
The days Champion was brought out by Lara Reid with her tup lamb, Elite Invictus, which the judge, Liam Campbell, called one of the best Spotty lambs he had seen. This smart lad was by the 9000gns Diamond Freaky Freddie, which will be on the market himself at the Hazelberry Reduction sale later this month. This is the best result for Lara’s 15 strong flock, and he went on to sell for 4000gns to Messrs Corbett, New House Farm, Newent, Glos.
The Champion the following day at Carlisle, this time judged by Aled Groucott, topped the second days trade. This smart gimmer shearling, Back Tor Honey from Jack & Steph Simpson was by the homebred Back Tor Go Easy, which they used as a lamb. She is out of Diamond Evie, which they bought privately, and was bought by the judge for 3500gns. It was a canny day out for the Back Tor flock as they also picked up the Reserve female champion too with Back Tor High Flyer, a daughter of Cannon Hall Finley, which sold for 1700gns and also took the Reserve Male Champion with Back Tor Hot Fuzz, which is full brother to their tup lamb which they have been showing successfully this year, and is heading to Carlisle later in the month. He is by Tiptop Gadzooks, which was the champion at Welshpool when they bought him. He sold for 1300gns to M/s Metcalfe at Crook Hall Farm, Kendal.
The male Champion and Reserve Overall Champion from Carlisle came from Nick Brown with a clonking tup lamb by Longfield Humdinger, which Nick bought for his shoulder and bone. His mother, Tiptop Easy Girl, bred the father to the sale champion, as well as other lambs to 4000gns. He has been shown successfully this summer too, picking up tickets at Carlisle and the Great Yorkshire Show. He was bid to 3000gns, selling in a two-way split to Henry Jewitt and Allan Shortt.
Heading back to Lockerbie, the reserve Male Champion went to Dale & Robbie Wilson with Cnwch Hawaii 5 Oh, a shearling tup by Woodies Falcon. He is the half brother to the Royal Welsh Interbreed Champion and was himself placed at the show too. He sold for 2500gns, selling to Middlemoor Farm, Richmond.
Link to photos for the sales https://dutchspottedsheep.co.uk/gallery/2095/lockerbie-31-july-and-carlisle-1-august-2025/
