Mr Marwood, who runs the Foulrice flock in Whenby, was crowned supreme champion for the second year in succession with his first prize home-bred ram lamb, like his 2016 victor by Dalby Mount Aloe, purchased as a ram lamb at the Worcester Premier Sale in 2012.

The well regarded sire, himself a son of Dalby Kracked-It, is now into his fifth breeding season on the Foulrice flock, which numbers 500 breeding ewes  “He has done exceptionally well for us and has put a lot of shape and good skins into the flock,” said Mr Marwood.

Mount Aloe has now been joined on the Foulrice flock, which services between 100 and 130 ewe lambs annually, by both his son, Osprey, and grandson, Penrod, giving three generations of first-rate rams.

The Skipton title winner, one of December, 2016, triplets, who also won the ram lamb class at this year’s Kilnsey Show, went on to sell locally for top price in class of 450gns to Philip Ormerod, of West Marton.

Deborah Whitcher, who runs the Galtres flock in Skewsby, was responsible for the first prize shearling ram and reserve champion, one of January, 2016, twins by the Logie Durno Maverick son, Kelby Paddy, another Worcester acquisition in 2015, out of a home-bred ewe by Netherton Highland Prince.

In fact, Netherton bloodlines, renowned for their hardiness and flesh, are now prevalent in the Galtres flock, going right back to foundation. The overall runner-up sold for the day’s joint top price of 650gns to J Richardson & Son, of Southwick, Peterborough. Deborah also headed the Skipton selling prices in 2016.

Joint top this year was the third prize shearling ram from 2015 Skipton title winner, Red Rose breeder Mark Worthington, who runs the Moss Side flock at Higher Moss, Ramsbottom. His March, 2016, twin by the Deborah Whitcher–bred Netherton Highland Prince son, Galtres Lynz Unstoppable, out of a Penrhos ewe by Inglis Chalky, sold to RD&RG Duckworth, of Great Harwood, Blackburn.. Mr Worthington sold further shearling rams at 580gns and 550gns.

Charles Marwood also consigned the second prize shearling ram, a December, 2015, twin son of Foulrice Osprey, out of a home-bred dam by Rainbow Komodo Dragon. This joined the Skelton family in Gainsborough for 450gns. Mr Marwood sold another shearling ram at 500gns, along with a further three entries at 450gns.

Back with the ram lambs, the second prize winner from Cumbrian show regular John Stott Jnr, of the Kingsland pedigree flock in Crosscrake, Stainton, was one of December, 2016, twins by a son of Kirkhouse Optimus, out of a home-bred daughter of Tymaen Knobby. The runner-up made 350gns when finding a new home in Timble, Otley, with FC Wade & Son. Mr Stott also hit 480gns with a shearling ram.

Kenton Foster, who runs his Fosters flock in Garrison, Leyburn, and represents the North of England region 3 on the British Charollais Sheep Society’s Council of Management, also did well at 420gns with a ram lamb out of a home-bred ewe by Banwy Othello. Its sire was purchased at Skipton last year from the late Peter Sedgwick’s flock and the December, 2016, lamb sold to new pedigree breeder Nick Morgan, from Thirsk, who had also bought females from the same Skipton sale that have done well for him.

The majority of this year’s 34-strong entry was easily sold, producing a clearance rate of nigh on 90%. Shearling rams averaged a very pleasing £523.25 per head for 100% clearance, with ram lambs also a nice trade to average £330.17.

Show judge was Devon Charollais man Harold Keast. Breed enthusiasts will be back at Skipton next month for the British Charollais Sheep Society’s annual autumn show and sale of pedigree in-lamb females, on Saturday, October 14.