Oxford Downs to 880gns at Worcester

Selling for the top price of 880gns at the annual sale of Oxford Down sheep at Worcester Livestock Market was a shearling ram, Montrose Angus, from Newport, Monmouthshire-based H V Graham.

Homebred on both sides and by Montrose Magic, this upstanding tup had previously stood third at the Royal Three Counties Show earlier in the year and took the reserve champion spot at the pre-sale show. He found a new home with Bob and Lesley Parry, Rhosgoch, Anglesey.

The same home also topped the female offering at 560gns for a shearling ewe by Billesdons Spongebob and out of an Applewick-bred female. She sold to R J Ryan, Abergele, Conwy.

Setting a new breed record for a ram lamb when selling for 800gns was James Brown, Tenby, Pembrokeshire, with a lamb from his Redhouse flock. By Barley Park Ulysses, this one is out of a homebred female by Fleetham Rammy McRamface and caught the eye of Kevin Milne, Dunecht, Aberdeenshire.

Next best in the ram lamb offering and securing a price of 580gns was one from the Longfriday flock of M G & J M Johnson. By Longfriday Hugo, this one took the championship in the pre-sale show and was knocked down to the judge, James Eustice, Wadebridge, Cornwall.

At 520gns was the best of the ewe lambs on the day with one from Tenby, Pembrokeshire-based M F S Brown’s Monkstone flock. By Barley Park Ulysses, this one found a new home with C Clark, Farnham, Surrey.

Averages

18 shearling ewes £249.90; six ewe lambs £315.00; six ram lambs £463.05; eight shearling rams £338.00.

Overall, 38 head sold to 880gns and averaged £322.46 (compared to £342.62 for 46 in 2021).

Auctioneers: McCartneys

Sale report and photograph courtesy of Country Girl Media