06/12/07
A strong, in-depth shearling gimmer class caught the eye at the
Northern Area Texel Sheep Breeders’ 15th annual winter sale
of pedigree females at Skipton Auction Mart. (Sat, Dec 1)
David Pickervance, left, with his
Skipton Texel pedigree female
champion,
joined by judge Luke Lodge.
 |
A first-ever championship success at the popular fixture was achieved
by Red Rose breeder David Pickervance, of Breworth Fold Farm, Brindle,
Chorley, with a home-bred in-lamb shearling ewe that returned to
Lancashire when bought for the day’s top price of 680 guineas
by Alec Steff, of Burnley.
The February, 2006, victor, Brindle PBD06018, is by Grougfoot Investment
II, a regular producer of show champions, out of a Thinacres Captain-sired
dam. She is in lamb to Watchknowe Noval, a product of Foundry Murphy’s
Law.
Just missing out on an unprecedented third successive Skipton championship
coup were Wharfedale husband-and-wife Texel breeders Mark and Helen
Keighley, of Manderlea Farm, Leathley, Otley.
Successful in both 2005 and 2006, the Keighleys had to settle for
the runners-up berth this time around with an in-lamb March-born
shearling ewe Manderlea KAM06108, which sold for 300 guineas to
T Pateman, of Brompton-by-Sawdon, Scarborough.
The home-bred reserve champion is by Hellifield-based John Mellin’s
Hull House Klooney, out of a dam by Annan Goldsmith, the 2000 Lanark
champion, while her grand dam’s sire Skirbeck Verdict was
one of the best gimmer lambs at the Skirbeck dispersal sale in
the early 1990s. The runner-up is due to Gib Farm Motorolo, by
Stainton Instructor.
Judge Luke Lodge, of Moss, Doncaster, was impressed by the strong
show of shearlings and said he had found it difficult to choose
between the two frontrunners.
The Keighleys’ Manderlea flock had an extremely productive
day overall, also being responsible for the third prize shearling
ewe, a one-two-three in the gimmer lambs class and first and second
prizes in the senior in-lamb ewes section.
The second prize senior ewe achieved top price in class when bought
for 250 guineas by David Mellin, of Black Lane Ends, Colne, while
the top-priced ewe lamb at 100 guineas went to Nick Dalby, of Hartwith,
Harrogate, buying on behalf of his son David.
While not participating in the show classes, Edward Taylor, of
Broughton, presented a strong pen, which sold to a top price of
540 guineas for an in-lamb shearling ewe secured by Thomas Carlisle,
of Cracoe.
Shearling ewes averaged £170, two-shear ewes £100,
three-shear £157, four-shear £132 and ewe lambs £100.
The day also featured a festive auction sale of 129 pieces of Border
Fine Art, Beswick and other ornaments and gifts, with keen interest
at a packed ringside from both serious collectors and Christmas
gift hunters.
Texel pedigree females results: Ewes – 1 & 2 M & H
Keighley, Leathley, 3 H & J Priestley, Ormskirk. Shearling
ewes – 1 D Pickervance, Brindle, 2 & 3 - M & H Keighley.
Ewe lambs – 1, 2 & 3 M & H Keighley.
 Bill's
Belgian Blue Baby Lands Skipton Calves Title
Christmas Craven Dairy Auction Sets Yet Another Record Price
Belgian Blue Youngster Awarded Skipton Title
|
