Record averages were achieved today at the Thainstone Pedigree Ram sale, with many breeds achieving a near 100% clearance.
The event, sponsored by Harbro and supported by Elanco saw an increased number of 623 pedigree and cross-bred rams sell onto new owners.
The Texel championship was awarded to M Seed & Son, Home Farm, Auchry by the Judge James Barnetson, Lynegar, Caithness for a Shearling Ram sired by Deveronvale Gino, which went to sell onto the judge for the top price of the day 2,400gns.
The Reserve award went to the Ram Lamb from D J McKerrow, Uppermill Farm, Tarves, Ellon which sold to C R Ryrie, East Kirk Farm, Kirk, Wick for 1,500gns.
The second and third top price of the day was paid for two shearlings from W J Knox, Mid Haddo, Fyvie, Turriff. The first, sired by Harestone Eldorado, he went onto sell to the judge James Barnetson for 2,300gns and the second sired by Saltcotes Golden Eye, sold for 2,200gns to C Ashbridge, Mount Grace, Cold Kirby, Thirsk.
2,100gns was paid for a Shearling Ram sired by Granite Eagle, from Rodney Blackhall, The Green, Raemoir, Banchory which sold to D & I Macintosh, Kirkton of Kingoldrum, Kirriemuir.
2,000gns was achieved four times, first for two shearlings from Rodney Blackhall, purchased by D & I Macintosh, Kirkton of Kingoldrum, Kirriemuir and J & J S Wilken, Raefin, Keith. The third tup to realise 2,000gns was another shearling from D J McKerrow, Uppermill Farm, Tarves, selling to North Tarwathie, Strichen, Fraserburgh and finally a shearling from M Seed & Son, Home Farm of Auchry, Cummiestown, which sold to T Connell, Little Muddy, Lumphart, Inverurie.
A Texel Shearling from C & K Stuart, Belnoe, Chapeltown, Ballindalloch was tapped out at 1,900gns, selling to C Wright, Prony Farm, Ballater.
The next top price of 1,800gns, was paid for a shearling from Rodney Blackhall, The Green which went onto sell to T Connell, Little Muddy, Lumphart, Inverurie.
1,600gns was achieved four times over, firstly for a shearling from W J Knox, Mid Haddo, Fyvie, which sold to J & J S Wilken, Raefin, Keith followed by a shearling from D J McKerrow, Uppermill selling to A Adam & Son, Termemny Farm, Knock, Huntly. Next up, 1,600gns was paid for a shearling from C & K Stuart, Belnoe, which sold to A M & C Ewen, Meikle Toux, Cornhill, Banff and also a ram lamb from J Green, Corskie, Garmouth, Fochabers selling to A J & A R Benzie, Meikle Whiterashes, Turriff.
In the Suffolk section a top price of 1,600gns was achieved five times.
Firstly, by the Reserve Champion, a Shearling Ram sired by Culsh Cracker from C & M Bruce, Tillyeve, Udny which went onto sell to D A Middleton, Mid Mains of Balfour, Fettercairn, Laurencekirk.
Judge Alistair Jackson of Maulscastle Farm, Cummertrees, Annan, Dumfriesshire tapped a Ram Lamb from Mr Melvin Stuart, G L Stuart Milltown of Birness, Ellon as the Suffolk Champion. The tup sired by Claycrop Cadillac also sold for a top price of 1,600gns to A D Jack, Kilcoy, Muir of Ord, Ross-Shire.
Sharing the top price, a Ram Lamb sired by Bridgeview Brigadier General from Mr James Young, Muirton, Alford which went on to sell to John R Burgess, Lower House, Hillwell, Quendale.
A Ram Lamb sired by Salopian Zoolander from Mr R & P Machray, Beech Lodge, Daviot, Inverurie realised 1,600gns selling to D J McKerrow, Uppermill Farm, Tarves, Ellon.
While a Ram Lamb from Ms Rachel Andrews, Home Farm, Auchry, Cuminestown, Turriff tapped out with the final top price, the tup sired by Roundacre Candy Man went onto sell to G Summers, South Percy Horner, Fraserburgh.
The next top price of 1,300gns was achieved for a Ram Lamb also from Mr R & P Machray, the tup sired by Solwaybank Seemego went on to sell to A Cruickshank, Newmill, Crathes, Banchory.
Mr S Smith, Knowehead, Sinnahard, Glenkindie achieved the third top price of 1,250gns for his Shearling Ram sired by Bentley Flint selling to Smith Croft Limited, Carinya, Sandwick.
1,200gns was achieved three times over all for Shearling Rams. The 2nd prize Shearling Ram from C & M Bruce sold to Balthayock Farms Perth. Secondly, a Shearling Ram from Mr S Smith went onto sell to G Watson, Gaval Farm, Fetterangus, Mintlaw. Also achieving 1,200gns was the 3rd prize Shearling Ram from Finlay Hunter, West Cairnhill, Culsalmond, Insch which sold to G C Watt & Son, South Byebush, St Katherines, Inverurie.
Additionally, a shearling ram sired by Glenreiver Kelso Gold from Mrs Kelly Stuart, Lettoch Farm, Ballindalloch realised 1,150gns selling to Smith Croft Limited, Carinya, Sandwick.
A top price of 2,000gns was achieved three times in the Border Leicester section. Firstly, for the Reserve Champion, a Shearling Ram from J Douglas, Woodhead which sold to R Wilkie, Tillyboy, Echt, Westhill. Followed by two Ram Lambs from J Douglas, Woodhead both selling to A Jackson, Maulscastle Farm, Dumfriesshire. Judge Graeme Mather, Shandfords, Brechin, Angus tapped a Shearling Ram also from J Douglas, Woodhead the Champion which went on to sell to I Hughs, East End, John O’Groats, Wick.
Bluefaced Leicester’s sold to a top price of 900gns twice, firstly to a Shearling Ram from S Burnett, Kingswells Croft selling to A & J Nairn, Clashnoir, Auchnarrow, Ballindalloch, with a Shearling Ram from M Seed & Son, Home Farm, Auchry going to J I Cruickshank, 35 Main Street, New Deer. The Bluefaced Leicester Champion was awarded to a Shearling Ram from M Seed & Son, Home Farm selling for 600gns to J M Adkin, Gilkhorn, Maud with the Reserve Champion also from M Seed & Son, Home Farm to selling to A Powell, Hill Farm, Marstow, Ross-On-Wye for 800gns.
The Charollais Champion from E & E Duncan, Barnyards Farm, Mintlaw achieved the top price of 1,200gns selling to D N Manson, 31 Larel, Halkirk. With the Reserve Champion also from E & E Duncan, Barnyards Farm realising the second top price of 900gns selling to K W Hourston, Skelbister, Orphir, Orkney.
In the Beltex section, judge Owen Young, Nether Drumallochie, Glenkindie, Alford awarded a Ram Lamb from A Miller, North Lurg the Champion position which went on to sell for the second top price of 1,600gns to the judge. The Reserve Champion, a Beltex Shearling sold to a top price of 1,700gns going to A Bothwell, Hillbrae, Newmachar and H E G Davis, Hillhead of Cannahars, Whitecairns.
A top price of 1,050gns was achieved for the Blue Texel Reserve Champion, a Ram Lamb from M Irvine, Braehead which sold to D Atikinson, The Manse, Duncastone, Insch. With the Blue Texel Champion, a Shearling Ram from W J & M Hunter, West Cairnhill selling to Leslie & Sons, Nia-Roo, Gott, Shetland for 800gns.
Judge Alistair McKerrow, Riverview House, By Bo’ness, West Lothian tapped the Dutch Spotted Overall Champion to a Shearling from Mr M & Mrs J Simpson, Tardoes selling for the top price of 1,200gns to W & N Lawrence, Blackpots, Auchnagatt. The Reserve Champion from P D & E A Thorp, Overton sold for 500gns to G Bell, Duckhouse, Rippen, with the Dutch Spotted Champion Female also from the Simpson’s, Tardoes selling for 500gns to A & M Littlejohn, Auchronie, Glenesk.
Cross bred rams peaked at 1,700gns for a Beltex cross shearling from R Gregor, Greenmyre, Oldmeldrum.
Colin Slessor, Deputy Head of Livestock said: “We have had an excellent day here at Thainstone, with record averages being achieved for all sections. The Texel breed had a total clearance with tremendous prices. Suffolks followed on, again showing big increases on last year. Other breeds also met a keen demand with a large attendance of buyers from all over the country, with the usual strong support from Caithness, Shetland and Orkney isles.
Our thanks must also go to our sponsors Harbro and Elanco, both helping to make a very successful day.”
Averages: Suffolk – 227 ram lambs, £703.27 (+£61.92) and 25 shearlings, £958.44 (+£38.24) Texel – 86 ram lambs, £872.96 (+£144.53) and 60 shearlings, £1,304.63 (+£317.24). Charollais – 17 ram lambs, £509.55 (+0.70) and 17 shearlings, £818.38 (+£95.63). AOB – 14 ram lambs, £765.00 and 44 shearlings, £698.11. Border Leicester – 3 ram lambs, £1,750 and 5 shearlings, £1,302. Beltex – 6 ram lambs, £927.50 and 36 shearlings, £797.70 (+£235.95). Bluefaced Leicester – 8 ram lambs, £590.62 and 6 shearlings, £647.50. Blue Texel – 8 ram lambs, £472.50 and 15 shearlings, £525. Dutch Spotted – 11 ram lambs, £367.50 and 9 shearlings, £536.66.
Thainstone Pedigree Ram Show & Sale Prize List 2025
Suffolks
Judge – Alistair Jackson, Maulscastle Farm, Cummertrees, Annan, Dumfriesshire
Class 1 – Shearling or Aged Ram
1st – Lot 13 C & M Bruce, Tillyeve, Udny
2nd – Lot 14 C & M Bruce, Tillyeve, Udny
3rd – Lot 25 Finlay Hunter, West Cairnhill, Culsalmond, Insch
4th – Lot 9 Mr James C Innes, Dunscroft, Huntly
Class 2 – Ram Lamb
1st – Lot 53 Mr Melvin Stuart, G L Stuart Milltown of Birness, Ellon
2nd – Lot 244 Mr Craig G Paterson, Cranna Bridge, Aberchirder
3rd – Lot 208 C & M Bruce, Tillyeve, Udny
4th – Lot 116 Finlay Hunter, West Cairnhill, Culsalmond, Insch
Class 3 – Pen of 5 Ram Lambs
1st – Lots 54, 55, 57, 58 & 64 Mr Melvin Stuart, G L Stuart Milltown of Birness, Ellon
2nd – Lots 246, 247, 248, 249 & 250 Mr Craig G Paterson, Cranna Bridge, Aberchirder
3rd – Lots 32, 33, 35, 36 & 37 Mr John A Henderson, West Teuchan, Crudenbay
Suffolk Champion
Lot 53 – Mr Melvin Stuart, G L Stuart Milltown of Birness, Ellon
Suffolk Reserve Champion
Lot 13 - C & M Bruce, Tillyeve, Udny
Texel’s
Judge – James Barnetson, Lynegar, Caithness
Class 4 – Shearling or Aged Ram
1st – Lot 348 Matthew Seed, Home Farm Auchry, Cuminestown
2nd – Lot 302 William J Knox, Mid Haddo, Fyvie, Turriff
3rd – Lot 344 Brian Buchan Jr, Wyreema Clinterty Farm, New Aberdour
4th – Lot 364 Colin Stuart, Lettoch Farm, Auchnarrow, Ballindalloch
Class 5 – Ram Lamb
1st – Lot 411 D J Mckerrow, Uppermill Farm, Tarves, Ellon
2nd – Lot 454 William J Knox, Mid Haddo, Fyvie, Turriff
3rd – Lot 428 Robert H Wilson, North Dorlaithers Farm, Turriff
4th – Lot 401 George L Stuart, Milltown of Birness, Ellon
Class 6 – Pen of 3 Ram Lambs
1st – Lot 463, 464 & 466 A M & L Sutherland, Carran, Crosskirk Forss, Thurso
2nd – Lot 450, 452 & 453 Sandy Hunter, Wedderburn, Glens of Foundland, Huntly
3rd – Lot 42, 403, 404 George L Stuart, Milltown of Birness, Ellon
Class 7 – Best Pen of Shearlings
1st – William J Knox, Mid Haddo, Fyvie, Turriff
2nd – Matthew Seed, Home Farm Auchry, Cuminestown, Turriff
3rd – Rodney W Blackhall, The Green, Raemoir, Banchory
Texel Champion
Lot 348 - Matthew Seed, Home Farm Auchry, Cuminestown
Texel Reserve Champion
Lot 411 - D J Mckerrow, Uppermill Farm, Tarves, Ellon
Bluefaced Leicester
Judge – Graeme Mather, Shandfords, Brechin, Angus
Class 8 – Shearling or Aged Ram
1st – Lot 501 M Seed & Son, Home Farm, Auchry
2nd – Lot 502 M Seed & Son, Home Farm, Auchry
3rd – Lot 505 S Burnett, Kingswells Croft
Class 9 – Ram Lamb
1st – Lot 514 M Seed & Son, Home Farm, Auchry
2nd – Lot 513 M Seed & Son, Home Farm, Auchry
3rd – Lot 509 S Burnett, Kingswells Croft
Bluefaced Leicester Champion
Lot 501 – M Seed & Son, Home Farm, Auchry
Bluefaced Leicester Reserve Champion
Lot 514 – M Seed & Son, Home Farm, Auchry
Border Leicester
Judge – Graeme Mather, Shandfords, Brechin, Angus
Class 10 – Shearling or Aged Ram
1st – Lot 515 J Douglas, Woodhead
2nd – Lot 516 J Douglas, Woodhead
3rd – Lot 518 J Douglas, Woodhead
Class 11 – Ram Lamb
1st – Lot 520 J Douglas, Woodhead
2nd – Lot 519 J Douglas, Woodhead
3rd – Lot 521 J Douglas, Woodhead
Border Leicester Champion
Lot 520 – J Douglas, Woodhead
Border Leicester Reserve Champion
Lot 515 – J Douglas, Woodhead
Charollais
Judge – Graeme Mather, Shandfords, Brechin, Angus
Class 13 – Shearling or Aged Ram
1st – Lot 550 E & E Duncan, Barnyards Farm, Mintlaw
2nd – Lot 549 E & E Duncan, Barnyards Farm, Mintlaw
3rd – Lot 542 Mr A E Davies, Hillhead of Cannahars, Whitecarns
Class 14 – Ram Lamb
1st – Lot 552 E & E Duncan, Barnyards Farm, Mintlaw
2nd – Lot 553 E & E Duncan, Barnyards Farm, Mintlaw
3rd – Lot 577 Mr Taylor Dalgarno, Clackriach Dairy, Maud
Charollais Champion
Lot 550 – E & E Duncan, Barnyards Farm, Mintlaw
Charollais Reserve Champion
Lot 552 – E & E Duncan, Barnyards Farm, Mintlaw
Beltex
Judge – Owen Young, Nether Drumallochie, Glenkindie, Alford
Class 15 – Shearling or Aged Ram
1st – Lot 596 A Miller, North Lurg
2nd – Lot 607 G Dinnie, Brigview
3rd – Lot 583 S Wood, Broadwater
Class 16 – Ram Lamb
1st – Lot 618 A Miller, North Lurg
2nd – Lot 621 S Wood, Broadwater
3rd – Lot 619 A Miller, North Lurg
Beltex Champion
Lot 618 – A Miller, North Lurg
Beltex Reserve Champion
Lot 596 – A Miller, North Lurg
Blue Texel
Judge – Owen Young, Nether Drumallochie, Glenkindie, Alford
Class 17 – Shearling or Aged Ram
1st – Lot 650 W J & M Hunter, West Cairnhill
2nd – Lot 652 A J Norrie, Woodside of Wrae
3rd – Lot 649 W J & M Hunter, West Cairnhill
Class 18 – Ram Lamb
1st – Lot 666 M Irvine, Braehead
2nd – Lot 825 A & K Rhind, Newton of Struthers
3rd – Lot 656 D Atkinson, Tap o Noth
Blue Texel Champion
Lot 650 – W J & M Hunter, West Cairnhill
Blue Texel Reserve Champion
Lot 666 – M Irvine, Braehead
Dutch Spotted
Judge – Alistair McKerrow, Riverview House, by Bo’ness, West Lothian
Class 19 – Shearling or Aged Ram
1st – Lot 756 Mr M & Mrs J Simpson, Tardoes
2nd – Lot 764 E Chaplin, Kilry Lodge
3rd – Lot 763 A Beattie & L Kennedy
Class 20 – Ram Lamb
1st – Lot 776 P D & E A Thorp, Overton
2nd – Lot 774 M & Mrs J Simpson, Tardoes
3rd – Lot 775 P D & E A Thorp, Overton
Dutch Spotted Champion Ram
Lot 756 – Mr M & Mrs J Simpson, Tardoes
Dutch Spotted Reserve Champion Ram
Lot 776 – P D & E A Thorp, Overton
Class 21 – Ewe
1st – Lot 794 M & Mrs J Simpson, Tardoes
Class 22 – Gimmer
1st – Lot 803 L E Needham, Correnie House
2nd – Lot 802 M & Mrs J Simpson, Tardoes
3rd – Lot 809 S & C Cooper, Forebogs of Knaven
Class 23 – Ewe Lamb
1st – Lot 823 D J Scott, Burnside
2nd – Lot 818 D J Scott, Burnside
3rd – Lot 816 A Paterson & T Batchelor
Dutch Spotted Champion Female
Lot 794 – M & Mrs J Simpson, Tardoes
Dutch Spotted Reserve Champion Female
Lot 803 – L E Needham, Correnie House
Dutch Spotted Overall Champion
Lot 756 – Mr M & Mrs J Simpson, Tardoes