Longtown Ladies Sale Report

Shearlings to 4,200 guineas

The annual “Longtown Ladies” sale of pedigree Texel and other breeding females was held on Monday evening, 13th January 2025 by C & D Auction Marts Ltd.  There was a high quality entry which attracted much interest, both in the mart and on-line, with a very large crowd in attendance. The show was sponsored by William Armstrong Transport and judged by James Porter of Saltcoat Texels.

A strong and consistent trade saw the overall sale average for all breeds and classes break the £1,000 barrier for the first time, levelling at £1,012.

Top honours went to the champion Texel from Robert Cockburn`s Knap flock from Crieff. This shearling by Dundas Evolution and in-lamb to a homebred ram by Rhaeadr First Choice sold at 4,200gns to P. & L. Calcraft, Payembury, Devon.  At 3,500gns, the third prize shearling from Messrs Teward, New View, Staindrop, Darlington went to Legars Ltd., Kelso. She is by Garngour First Class and in-lamb to Midlock Gran Torino.

Thomas Muirhead, Orchilmore, Perthshire sold a Haddo Fearless shearling at 2,000gns to T. Adamson, Glenalmond with Messrs McGregor, Allanfauld also selling at 2,000gns, for a Mossknowe Focus daughter which went to T. Common & Son, Low Ardley, Hexham.
Other Texel in-lamb shearlings sold to 1,800gns & 1,500gns Allanfauld; 1,800gns Hilltop; 1,800gns Harestone; 1,200gns Orchilmore (twice); 1,200gns Sportsmans; 1,200gns Knap & 1,200gns Cowal.  41 Texel shearlings averaged £1,242.

Texel geld hoggs were well bid with Knap also topping this section with their 2nd prizewinner by Kanp Gruffalo selling at 1,600gns to A. & D. Proctor, Swarland, Northumberland. This shearling`s full sister followed on in the ring and went at 1,300gns to A. Greenhill, West Hall, Dundee. Taking 1st prize in the strong hogg class was a Coniston Equinox daughter from D. & S. McPherson`s Berwick on Tweed Hexel flock which was bought for 1,400gns by Messrs Mounsey, Arkleby, Aspatria. The annual consignment of hoggs from James D. Hair, Drumbreddan sold to 1,200gns.  20 Texel geld hoggs averaged £801.

10 Suffolk ewes and shearlings sold very well to average £840 with a three-times top price of 1,000gns. from Ali Jackson`s Cummertrees based Tiptop flock with Suffolk hoggs to 350gns and Beltex to 450gns from Burgh Head.