35th Annual Autumn Show and Sale
NI Dorset Club conclude the 2024 sale season
Champion - TG Wright. Shearling Ram Lot 57 with judge Allister McNeill and Seamus McCormick Danske Bank
Reserve Champion & Opposite sex to Champion K. Bradshaw Lot 25 with judge Allister McNeill
and Seamus McCormick Danske Bank
The 35th annual Autumn Show and Sale held by the Northern Ireland Dorset Club took place on Monday 14th October 2024 in Ballymena Livestock Market, kindly sponsored by Danske Bank. This event marked the concluding sale for 2024, with 64 sheep brought forward.
Allister McNeill of the well-known Kilvaddy Flock, Toomebridge was selected as judge for the pre-sale show. His pick of the day going to Thomas Wright with lot 57 “Ardbrae F65” who was winner of the shearling ram class. This Ardbrae Eddie son out of Ardbrae Dotty was well balanced with excellent style to match, catching the eye of John Smith, Kells for a price of 520gns.
Reserve champion and best opposite sex to champion was lot 25 “Derryhennet G794” from Kyle Bradshaw. This Mountdale Eureka daughter out of Ashvale E474 stood top in the ewe lamb class exhibiting super correctness and presence, she sold to fellow breeders Samuel and Elaine Caldwell, Ballymaconnelly Flock, Rasharkin for 380gns.
Show results
Champion - TG Wright. Shearling Ram Lot 57
Reserve Champion & Opposite sex to Champion K. Bradshaw Lot 25
Shearling Ewe
1st L. Weir Lot 16
2nd C. Johnston Lot 2
3rd L. Weir Lot 23
4th T. Craig Lot 14
Ewe Lamb
1st K. Bradshaw Lot 25
2nd K. Bradshaw Lot 26
3rd C. McKeown Lot 36
4th C. McKeown Lot 34
5th S&J Baird & sons Lot 40
6th S&J Baird & sons Lot 41
Senior Ewe
1st C. Johnston Lot 52
2nd C. Johnston Lot 50
Shearling Ram
1st TG Wright Lot 57
Ram Lamb
1st TG Wright Lot 60
2nd M&R Hall Lot 61
3rd G&G Henderson Lot 62
4th J. Killen Lot 59
5th G&G Henderson Lot 63
Senior Ram
1st P. McKinney Lot 64
Top price of the day was awarded to Thomas Wright with lot 60, first prize ram lamb “Ballytaggart G148” a Ballytaggart Free Willy son out of English ewe Wilsey B670. This well put together, upstanding lamb was capitalised on by James Thompson, Killaloo for a price of 750gns. In close succession was lot 16 from Laura Weir achieving a price of 700gns for her first prize shearling ewe “Lisnafillan F77”. Sired by Wilsey X93 out of Lisnafillan D1652 this powerful gimmer sold in lamb to Downkillybegs Flashdance, finding her new home with Andrew and Grace Sloane, Dullaghan Flock, Dromore.
Gary and Gareth Henderson, Sandleford Flock, Bushmills attained a price 620gns for their horned ram lamb lot 62 “Sandleford Govener”. Sired by Richhill Escobar out of Sandleford D643 this lamb exhibited an excellent skin and character to match. He didn't go unnoticed by English breeders Matt and Adam Care, making his way to join the Burhos Flock in Cornwall. Also making the journey across the water was lot 61 from Matthew Hall, Ballycraig Flock, Pomeroy with “Ballycraig General”. This sweet April born lamb out of Richhill Force and homebred ewe Ballycraig F93 sold for 550gns to Ben Lugsden, Suffolk.
Steady demand continued across the sale with other leading prices as follows: L Weir 500gns to A&G Sloane, L Weir 480gns to L Gibson, C Johnston 480gns to R McClenaghan, L Weir 420gns to R Lowry, L Weir 400gns to K Bradshaw.
As another successful sale year comes to an end for the NI Dorset Club, it is evident that demand for the breed is unwavering with its place in both a commercial and pedigree environment firmly cemented. Attention now turns to the first sale of 2025 which will be held on 29th March 2025 in Ballymena Livestock Market with full EU export status. This will see the first of the 2024 autumn born crop on offer, providing buyers near and far with the opportunity to invest in quality genetics.
