PRIESTLEY TAKES SUPREME CHAMPION AT SUFFOLK SALE IN BALLYMENA
Date: 15th & 16th July 2022
Sponsor: Danske Bank
Auctioneer: JA McClelland and Sons Ltd.
NORTHERN IRELAND PREMIER SALE:
76% Clearance with 152 sheep sold in total.
Ram Lambs: 122 sold, average £1,458, 72% clearance
Leading Co. Down breeder, Mark Priestley, Limestone Flock took the Supreme Champion title at the recent Northern Ireland Premier Export Sale selling to 10,000gns with a son of Howgillfoot Batman in a two way split to Co. Down breeders Patrick Grant, Craigdoo Flock, and Brian Dickson, Islandmoyle flock.
The Premier Show & Sale was held over two consecutive days with Gerry Killilea of the Carragh Flock, Co. Galway being the Judge on the day. There was a large entry of females this year with Sean & Jane McCloskey taking the red rosette in the ewe lamb class and Reserve Female champion selling for 2,000gns to Martin & Eoin Butler, of the Castlewood flock Ballymena. Campbell & Jason Watson went on to take 2nd selling to D Dijhuizzen, Netherlands, for 800gns, Ian Donald 3rd selling to Martin Brown, Co. Fermanagh for 700gns.
The shearing ewe class saw Jason & Campbell Watson come out with the winning rosette and going on to take the Female Champion award selling to 3,000gns to J Dijhuizzen, Netherlands, Patrick McVerry took 2nd selling to 1,200gns to John McConaghie, Ballymena and Philip Kennedy 3rd selling to G Silva, Portugal for 850gns.
The shearling ram class saw Andrew Moses take 1st selling to Fergal Rooney, Rostrevor for 1,700gns with Mark Priestley taking 2nd selling to Tiago Graca, Portgual for 900gns for & AJ&NAJ Robinson 3rd also selling to Tiago Graca, Portugal for 700gns.
Next up the Gigot ram lamb class saw Co. Fermanagh breeder Keith Johnston of the Rossbrook flock paying 1,700gns for the 1st prize Crewelands Red Bull sired lamb from the Ballyncannon flock of Dennis Taylor. Stephanie & William Tait took 2nd with their Bridgeview Boots sired ram being knocked down to D McLean, Co. Antrim for 1,000gns and Patrick McVerry took 3rd selling to Robin McAdoo, Threeways flock Cookstown for 2,000gns.
Meanwhile Susan O’Keeffe, Clyda flock took 1st in the coveted Novice class selling to fellow Co. Louth breeder Philip Lynch of the Glyde flock for 10,000gns. 2nd Richard Thompson & 3rd Andrew Wilson selling to 800gns to William Smyth, Limavady for 800gns.
With an impressive line up of ram lambs Killilea had a difficult task ahead to select his winner but Limestone flock owner Mark Priestley came out on top to secure the winning rosette going on to take Overall Supreme Champion with his Howgillfoot Bat Man sired lamb selling to Patrick Grant & Brian Dickson for 10,000gns. Alastair Barkley of the Blackbrae flock went on to take 2nd and Reserve Overall Champion with his Blackbrae Black Label sired lamb changing hands for 10,000gns to Annakisha flock owners Arthur & Patrick O’Keeffe, Co. Cork, 3rd Ian Donald a Strathbogie Joel sired lamb sold to Brian Doyle, Co. Wickow for 5,000gns.
The pen of three honours went to the Burnview flock of Stephanie & William Tait with Campbell & Jason Watson & Mark Priestley runners up.
In Our Young Handler classes Noah Taylor took the winning rosette in the U14 class, 2nd Isabella Taylor 3rd Caoimhe Dickson. U18 saw Joseph Trimble take the red rosette, Beth Cousins 2nd and Neale Fleming 3rd. Congratulations to everyone who took part.
Leading Prices on the day:-
M Priestley 10,000gns to Grant Patrick Grant, Craigdoo Flock, and Brian Dickson, Islandmoyle flock, Co LDown.
A Barkley 10,000gns to Arthur & Patrick O’Keeffe, Annakisha Flock, Co. Cork
S O’Keeffe 10,000gns to Philip Lynch, Glyde Flock, Co. Louth
J Smyth 9,500gns to John Elliott, Kelso
S&W Tait 9,000gns to D&S McKay, Rowandale Flock, Ballymena
S O’Keeffe 6,800gns to John Molloy, Co. Donegal
M Priestley 5,500gns to Stephen Lowry, Fourscore Flock, Co. Antrim
I Donald 5,000gns to Brian Doyle, Co. Wicklow
B Dickson 4,600gns to John McKay, Kirkview Flock, Co. Antrim
I Donald 3,300gns to Brian McVicker, Causeway Flock, Co. Antrim
K Johnston 3,000gns to Stephen Sufferin, Crewelands Flock, Maghera
RC&JC Watson 3,000gns to J Dijkuizen, Netherlands (shearling ewe)
J Smyth 2,800gns to Dwayne Hopkins, Co. Carlow
S Sufferin 2,800gns to Charlotte Storder, Belgium
I Donald 2,100gns to S Roels, Belgium
D Taylor 2,000gns to Jan De Roock, Belgium
P McVerry 2,000gns to R McAdoo, Threeways Flock, Cookstown
J&M Maginnes 2,000gns to Charlotte Storder, Belgium
S&& McCloskey 2,000gns to Martin & Eoin Butler, Castlewood Flock, Co. Antrim (ewe lamb)
A Wilson 1,850gns to George Powell, Myddle Flock, Shropshire
B Dickson 1,700gns to Mark Grealy, Co. Galway
B Dickson 1,700gns to Ian Donald, Donbraid flock, Co. Tyrone
D Taylor 1,700gns to Keith Johnston, Rossbrook flock, Co. Fermanagh
P McVerry 1,700gns to Jonathan McKelvey, Munie Flock, Co. Tyrone
A Moses 1,700gns to Fergal Rooney, Rostrevor (Shearling ram)
P Gurney 1,600gns to D McKeeman, Co. Antrim
S&J McCloskey 1600gns to J Brilly, Mooretown flock, Co. Kildare
The sale saw a 76% clearance with 152 sheep sold in total.
Ram Lambs: 122 sold, average £1,458, 72% clearance
Shearling Ewes: 13 sold, average £1,025, 100% clearance
Ewe Lambs: 12 sold, average £849, 92% clearance
Shearling Rams: 5 sold, average £1,040 100% Clearance
Marteye online biding very prevalent at the sale with over 50 lots sold to SOI, UK & Europe.
Thank you to lead sponsors Danske Bank. Strabane Mills, Co. Tyrone who sponsored meal for 1st prize winners in each of our classes. Advertisers – Agrikit, NFU Mutual, Jayne Tannahill Livestock Care, Donbraid Livestock Services, AB Europe, United Feeds, Liggett Electronic Solutions, Wilsons of Rathkenny & Natural Stockcare we appreciate your continued support.
A word of thanks also to all the staff of Ballymena Livestock Mart, Fraser Tweed Veterinary Inspector, John Hegarty Steward & Alfie Shaw Agriimages and everyone who made the show & sale a success.
NI SUFFOLK BRANCH PREMIER SHOW RESULTS
Supreme Champion: M Priestley
Reserve Champion: R A S Barclay
Female Champion: RC & JC Watson
Reserve: S&J McCloskey
Ewe lamb
1st S&J McCloskey , 2nd C&J Campbell, 3rd I Donald
Shearling ewe
1st RC&JCWatson, 2nd P McVerry, 3rd P Kennedy
Shearling Ram
1st A Moses, 2nd M Priestley, 3rd N Robinson
Gigot Ram Lamb
1st D Taylor, 2nd S&W Tait, 3rd P McVerry
Novice Cup
1st S O’Keeffe , 2nd R Thompson, 3rd A Wilson
Ram Lamb
1st M Priestley, 2nd R A S Barclay, 3rd I Donald
Group of 3
1st S&W Tait, 2nd RC&JC Watson, 3rd M Priestley
Young Handlers
U14
1st Noah Taylor 2nd Isabella Taylor 3rd Caoimhe Dickson 4th Lara Taylor 5th Reuben McNeilly
U18
1st Joseph Trimble 2nd Beth Cousins 3rd Neale Fleming
Some photos from the day:
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