Saturday 13th Saturday

North West Auctions held the Annual Prize Show and Sale of Rough Fell Breeding Rams on Saturday 13th October at J36 Rural Auction Centre. A wonderful catalogued entry of well-bred rams attracted buyers from as far afield as Scotland, West Wales and Ireland, alongside the strong local support from the northern counties.

Despite the horrendous weather all rams were forward in superb condition for which all vendors must be complimented. The pre-sale show was kindly sponsored by H Pigney & Son with the judging ably conducted by Mr G Lewis (Aged Rams), Mr S Chapman (Ram Lambs), Mr A Ellis (Shearling Rams) and Mr F Clark (Overall Championship) for which NWA and RFSBA would like to extend their thanks.

The championship rosette was awarded to a shearling ram Lot 34 Brownber Bullet Proof from MP & A Capstick, Kirkby Stephen, which later sold for 1800gns and purchased by A & H Watson, Kirkby Lonsdale. Reserve Champion was a shearling ram Lot 133 High Woodend Bkari from S & W Dickinson, Tebay, selling for 400gns purchased by RH Thexton, Sedbergh.

The sale topped at 5000gns for a shearling lot 139 Catholes Bonny from MJ & JD Handley, Sedbergh which was purchased by S & W Dickinson, Tebay. This was closely followed by Catholes Beast from the same good home, selling to 4800gns for this much admired ram purchased by MP & A Capstick, Kirkby Stephen. Rounding off a great day for the Catholes flock saw Catholes Bullet sell to 4000gns to Kieran Milburn, Sedbergh. Also achieving the 4000gns mark was lot 120 High Cark Bonsai, from IJ & M Mallinson, Selside purchased by TD ME & GE Todd, Sedbergh. A further two rams sold in excess of 4000gns, a total of thirteen exceeded the 1000gns mark.

A new breed record was set for a senior ram at the sale selling to a top price of 2200gns for Lot 9 RF 2967 Galloper Park, the first placed Aged Ram, from MP & A Capstick, Kirkby Stephen, purchased by AJ & CM Harrison, Kentmere. There was an entry of 15 ram lambs forward selling to a top of 350gns from IK & AM Grisedale, Crooklands.

A high clearance rate of 89% was achieved with shearling rams averaged £487, ram lambs averaged £205 and aged rams averaged £385.

Well-bred rams showing quality, style and all the characteristics of the breed were in keenest demand and easiest to sell with commercial rams a more selective trade.