There was a buzz around the ringside in Borderway Mart Carlisle for the Charollais supreme sale. With just over 100 quality lots on offer, it attracted buyers from across the UK.

It was Edstaston Dakota, a ram lamb from Shropshire breeder Robert Gregory that set the sale alight, when he sold for a new centre record for the breed of 14,000gns (€17,142). Pushing all the way to secure this super lamb was Will Whiting from Liskeard, Cornwall.

The sale-topping lamb was sired by Boyo Commander and his dam was a very successful homebred ewe.

Securing the second-highest price of the day was the second-prize ram lamb, Thackwood Duke from local breeders, Messrs Wales.

Placing the winning bid of 3,200gns (€3,917), was a pair of Scottish breeders Messrs Radley from Dumfries and Messrs Andrew from Ayrshire.

Duke was sired by the 2023 Great Yorkshire Show male champion Thackwood Bangkok and is out of a Knockin the Nail In ewe.

The reserve show champion was a shearling ram from the flock of Gregor and Bruce Ingram, Aberdeenshire. The powerful shearling ram sold for a strong price of 3,000gns (€3,673) to F J Tombs and son for their Aitchill flock near Aylesbury.

The pre-sale show was judged by Adrian Davies from the Glyn Coch flock in Carmarthenshire.

The sale also featured the sale of animals from Northern Ireland. They were sold via a video link on the day.

Topping this section was a shearling ram from Graham Foster’s Springhill flock. Named Springhill Cantona, he was sired by Boyo Bravemansgame out of a Gwyndy Whizz Kid ewe.

Adam Richardson from South Yorkshire placed the winning bid of 2,000gns (€2,449) to add Cantona to his Lower Coates flock.

Foster matched this price with a ram lamb, sired by Springhill Crackerjack. This lamb was purchased by David Argue from Cavan.

The female consignment was topped at 2,200gns (€2,693) for a shearling ewe from Glen Baird’s Aghavilly flock, Armagh. She was sold via video link and was snapped up by Gillian Harte from Monaghan. Gillian also bought a ewe lamb from the same flock at 1,000gns (€1,224).

Sale averages

  • Two shearling ewes: £1,496 (€1,745).
  • Two ewe lambs: £1,260 (€1,469).
  • One aged ram: £1,680 (€1,959).
  • Four shearling rams: £1,969 (€2,296).
  • Forty-five ram lambs: £1,613 (€1,882).