East Anglian repeat coup at CCM Skipton annual Hampshire Down showcase
The East Anglian-based Jones family made the long journey north well worthwhile when securing the supreme championship for the second year running, plus the reserve championship for good measure, at the annual Hampshire Down ewe and ram show and sale at Skipton Auction Mart. (Friday, August 30)
Andrew Jones and his two daughters, 22-year-old Eleanor, and Annabel, 19, who run the Morley flock at Morley St Botolph, Wymondham, again clinched leading honours with their first prize shearling ram, a December, 2017, home-bred by Thorbeck Montague, who was acquired as a lamb from Lincolnshire breeder Jim Birkwood.
Out of a Whitehead dam from Robert Vincent’s Welsh flock, the victor, picked out by judge Stephen Short, who runs the Highcliffe flock in Southowram, Halifax, sold for top price of 500gns when finding a new home north of the border with A Morton, from Stirling.
Standing reserve champion was the first prize Morley ram lamb, a December, 2018, home-bred by Morley Maverick, which sold to the same buyer for 200gns, with another December-born ram lamb from the same home by Treworthal Double Act, heading the section prices at 320gns when also returning to Scotland with John Sinclair & Son in Castle Douglas.
The Jones family, who established their second Hampshire Down flock in 2011 – Mr Jones started his first flock in the late 1980s – consigned four ram lambs and 2 shearling rams, with 100% clearance.
Local breeder John Craig, who runs the Lumb flock in Rathmell, also caught the eye with a 300gns shearling ram by Court Chief, a top 1% ram, out of a Teesdale ewe, which was claimed by C Padgett, of Caton, Lancaster.
The annual fixture attracted a smaller entry than previous year, but was nevertheless strong on quality and meeting good demand.
Prices and averages: Ewe lambs to 150gns (av £158), shearling ewes to 420gns (av £410), ram lambs to 320gns (av £242), shearling rams to 500gns (av £362), 2shr ram to 260gns.
ANNUAL SALE OF HAMSHIRE DOWN SHEEP: A successful sale with a high clearance rate. Interest from both breeders and commercial buyers seeking terminal sires. Show results –
Judge: S Short. Champion Sheep – Kindly donated by Gargrave Stone Sale – AW Jones Lot 10
Reserve – AW Jones Lot 17. Best Opposite Sex – kindly donated by Wills Plant Hire - JR Craig Lot 1
Averages –
Shearling Ewe to 420gns av £409
Ewe Lamb to 150gns av £157
Shearling Ram to 500gns av £362
Ram Lamb to 320gns av £241
Ram to 260gns av £273
Prices –
AW Jones 500gns 400gns 320gns
JR Craig 420gns 400gns 350gns