Northern Ireland Branch Premier Export Show and Sale - Ballymena 2024

Castlewood take Supreme Champion at Ballymena

Date: 20th July 2024

Auctioneer: JA McClelland and Sons Ltd.

Martin & Eoin Butler of the Castlewood Flock, Rathkenny, Ballymena took the Supreme Champion title at the recent Northern Ireland Premier Export Show & Sale held at Ballymena Livestock Mart. with their lot number 52. A special lamb, its dam was purchased at the Crewelands dispersal as a ewe lamb at 3500gns with breeding going back to the 12000gns Castlewood gimmer and sired by the 75,000gns Cairnton Chaos. This lamb stood 5^th at Balmoral show 2024 and sold to Sean O’Connor, Rose Lodge Flock, Co. Wexford for 5,500gns. Co. Donegal breeder Richard Wilson of the Shannagh Flock took Reserve Champion selling to Patrick Grant, Co. Down & Judge Philip Lynch, Co. Louth for 6,000gns.

Supreme Champion Lot 52 Orla, Martin & Eoin Butler, Castlewood Flock

Owing to a calendar clash this year’s Show and Sale was a one day event very hot on the heels of the Lanark Show and sale with Philip Lynch of the established Glyde Flock, Castlebellingham being Judge on the day.

Ewe lambs were first through the ring and topping the shop of the 6 that were forward was lot no 2 Consigned by S&J McCloskey (Glenroe) an ET twin lamb sired by the 200,000gns Salopian Solid Gold out of a Burnview dam who had previously bred the 2023 Ballymena supreme champion and was destined for its new home at 1100gns with S Haslett, Limavady Co Londonderry. The judge’s decision was backed by the Gavel the lamb taking first in its class at the show earlier.

The ewe lambs averaged 700gns

10 shearling ewes were next up to average 960gns with McCloskey (Glenroe) again taking the red rosette in its class and going on to become female Champion lot number 16 reaching 2100gns. A natural served single lamb a very strong sheep by Crewlands dancing Brave avery stylish and breedy ewe snapped up by Mark Priestley heading south to Limestone.

Two further lots broke the 1000gns mark with Dennis Taylor (Ballynacannon) harvesting 1300gns for his lot no 18. A naturally served single lamb sired by Lakeview Fury out of a home bred dam Her maternal sister sold at Dark Diamonds for 4000gns and her dam sold as an aged ewe to 2800gns this lamb was bought to be exported to mainland Europe.

A Gault (Forkins) achieved a further 4 figure sum for his lot no14 changing hands at 1000gns, A Crewlands Crusader sired sheep an ET single lamb with three of her maternal sisters reaching an average of 3333gns. Again, the female lines proving popular with the exporters and heading off to mainland Europe.

126 ram lambs were sold on the day at an average selling price of 2066.25gns. Two lambs topping the sale at 11,000gns first to reach the top spot was Mark Priestley (Limestone) with his lot number 43 a single ET lamb by Sportsmans Masterplan. Its dam is an ET sister to Limousine and Lighting sold to Rhaeadr and the grandam is an ET sister to Strathbogie Jackpot. Parting with the cash was M&C McNally (Benedyglen) adding to their flock in Dungiven Co. Derry

Second reaching the top spot was a consignment from M&C McNally (Benedyglen) Sired by the 75,000gn Cairnton Chaos A single ET lamb out of a Ballinatone Showstopper Gimmer which had been purchased from Forkins Heading off to his new postcode with John McKay.

Two further lots reached 5 figure sums Mark Priestley again reaching to top flight with lot number 44 selling to 10,000gns. A single ET lamb by Rhaeadr Rockshore which stood in second place in a very large and strong class at this year’s Balmoral show, His Dam “Queen Bee” has bred tremendously well leaving sons to 7000gns and daughters to 3000gns one of which took the third place again at this year’s Balmoral show. P Grant was the successful bidder for this lot at the fall of the gavel.

Jack Smyth was next up with the equal second highest trade on the day. 10,000gns for his lot no 121. Sired by Bessiebelle Bandit out of a home bred Ewe, this single ET lamb. The first sons out of Bandit reached 8000gns at the sale in 2023and its dam is a full sister to the 3600gns Moto Moto and two further Gimmers slod to 4K and 3.5k gns. John Robson taking home the ram at the fall of the hammer.

Top 5 lots were completed by another lot from the pen of Mark Priestley making it quite a successful day for Limestone. His lot number 45 taking the fancy of James Ludgate (Rempstone) and heading across the Irish sea to join his Oxfordshire flock at 8500gns. An ET twin lamb is the same way bred as lot 43 above which was joint top price.

Congratulations to all our Young Handlers who took part in their respective age classes. Philip Lynch commented “by far the most difficult class to judge everyone who showed their sheep were excellent and very competent. Well done to all”

Thank you to lead sponsors Danske Bank. Strabane Mills, Co. Tyrone who sponsored meal for 1^st prize winners in each of our classes. Advertisers – Erin Farm Feeds, OMC Engineering Fabrication Services, Donbraid Livestock Services, The Sheep Vet, NFU Mutual, AB Europe, United Feeds, Clean It Car Care, Wilsons of Rathkenny, & Redmills AgriFeeds we appreciate your continued support.

A word of thanks 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.

Ewe lamb top 3 Ballymena 2024

Lot No	Flock	Price Gns	Purchaser
2	Glenroe	1,100	S Haslett
7	Bannview	750	S Brownlow
8	Lisnaknock	650	J McClurg

Shearling Ewe top 5 at Ballymena 2024

Lot No	Flock	Price Gns	Purchaser
16	Glenroe	2,100	M Priestley
18	Ballynacannon	1,300	M Szabolcs
14	Forkins	1,000	D Cueto
10	Leitrim	800	C Craig
15	Forkins	800	I Donald
17	Ballynacannon	800	M Szabolcs

Ram lamb top prices at Ballymena 2024

Lot No	Flock	Price Gns	Purchaser
43	Limestone	11,000	M&C McNally
130	Benedyglen	11,000	J McKay
44	Limestone	10,000	P Grant
121	Bessiebell	10,000	J Robson
45	Limestone	8,500	J Ludgate
56	Shannagh	6,000	P Grant
81	JALEX	6,000	SJ Buckley & Partners
162	Ballynacannon	6,000	R Thompson
52	Castlewood	5,500	S Gorman
27	Forkins	5,000	J Lucas
65	Ballygroogan	5,000	M Priestley
70	Clyda	5,000	RAS Barkley

Top 3 Pens

Vendor M Priestley	Lot no 43	Lot No 44	Lot no 45	Total
Price Gns	11,000	10,000	8500	29,500
Vendor Jack Smyth	Lot no 121	Lot No 122	Lot No 125
Price Gns	10,000	4200	2600	16,800
Vendor M&C McNally	Lot No 130	Lot No129	Lot No 133
Price Gns	11000	2800	2300	16100