An outstanding selection of pedigree female sheep stole the show yesterday at the 25th Aberdeen Christmas Classic, organised by Aberdeen & Northern Marts in conjuction with the Aberdeen Fatstock Association.
Sponsored by Northlink Ferries for a second year, the event saw top quality Texel, Suffolk and Beltex pedigree female sheep exhibited to a packed ring-side audience at Thainstone Centre this afternoon.
Following 2016’s record-breaking price of 4,200gns for a Texel gimmer from R H Wilson, the pedigree female sheep section saw a selling price which surpassed this record – an outstanding 4,500gns for yet another of Mr. Wilson’s Texel gimmers.
140 Texel female entries were judged by Mr. Keith Hourston, Skelbister, Orphir, Orkney, who ultimately declared Lot 9 – R H Wilson, North Dorlaithers, Turriff as champion. Mr Wilson’s champion single Texel gimmer realised the top price of 4,500gns, and was purchased by S Smith, The Byre, Sunnyhill Croft, Turriff.
G Morrison, inchbruich, Cornhill, exhibited two Texel gimmers which each went on to earn a substantial 4,200gns and 3,000gns in sale. The 4,200gns Texel was claimed by Judge K W Hourston, Skelbister, and the 3,000gns purchase was made by A Kerr, Bolshan, By Arbroath. J C Innes & Sons, Dunscroft, Huntly, presented their second-prize-winning Texel gimmer which also performed strongly in sale, earning 2,400gns from A D Jack, Kilcoy, Muir of Ord.
The Westerton dispersal sale of Texels from Stewart Youngson realised a top selling price of 350gns.
The Suffolk class saw 60 entries and was judged by Mr. Robbie Innes, Crossburn, Keith. Taking the champion title in this section was a single Suffolk gimmer exhibited by James C Innes, Dunscroft, Huntly, which later sold for 1,200gns to D W L Delday, Quoy Belloch, Deerness, Orkney. A top price of 1,400gns was spent on a Suffolk gimmer exhibited by G L Stuart, Milltown of Birness, Ellon. The purchase was made by S Milton, Tullochallum, Dufftown.
Judged by Mr. Rory Machray, Bilboa, Daviot, the Beltex champion title was awarded to Colin G Mair & Partners, Muirfield, Everton of Auchry, Cuminestown, for their single Beltex gimmer, which went on to sell for 900 gns to P G Milton, Mains of Allanbuie, Keith. The champion was selected among the outstanding 50 Beltex entries this year.
Stasa Moyes, Woolhillock, Skene exhibited a Blue Texel gimmer that excelled in sale, and went on to be purchased for 1,250gns by A & J Alston, Chapelton of Menmuir, Brechin.
Aberdeen and Northern Marts Sheep sales manager, Colin Slessor, said: “This year’s pedigree sheep show and sale represents the strongest entry and best trade we’ve seen at the Christmas Classic, with a top price of 4,500gns achieved in sale and 25 four-figure prices throughout the sale. Yesterday’s buyers are very happy with the quality of stock on offer today, and exhibitors should be very proud of the fantastic stock they have presented.”
The online bidding system, i-bidder, also saw strong participation from bidders and attracted a large remote audience with 22 registered online bidders. The highest online bid of 1,200gns was spent to purchase Lot 21, a Texel gimmer from J Innes & Sons, Dunscroft, Huntly, and purchased by J Stewart, Comber, Newtonwards.
Breed averages
5 Texel Ewe Lambs – £1200
64 Texel Gimmers – £859.79
7 Suffolk Ewe Lambs – £458
6 Suffolk Ewes – £376
36 Suffolk Gimmers – £471
19 Beltex Gimmers – £513
Flock averages
Texel gimmers
R Wilson – 7 averaged - £2025
G Morrison – 8 averaged - £1404.38
J Innes – 8 averaged - £1194.38
A & G Howie – 6 average - £866.25
K Pratt – 7 averaged - £678
W J Knox – 7 averaged - £589.50
Texel Ewe Lambs
R Wilson – 3 averaged - £1890
Suffolk Gimmers
G L Stuart – 5 averaged - £1113
J Innes – 4 averaged - £958.13
Suffolk Ewe Lambs
G L Stuart – 5 averaged - £535.50
Full results
Class 1 - Single Texel Ewe (Sponsor Natural Stockcare Ltd)
1st - Lot 1 - A C Lee & Co, Feurdies, Fraserburgh - 400gns
2nd - Lot 2- A C Lee & Co, Feurdies, Fraserburgh - 300gns
3rd - Lot 112 - James S Youngson, Westerton, Cullerlie - 240gns
Class 2 - Single Texel Gimmer (Sponsor Natural Stockcare Ltd)
1st - Lot 9 - R H Wilson, North Dorlaithers, Turriff - 4,500gns
2nd - Lot 19 - James Innes & Sons, Dunscroft, Huntly - 2,400gns
3rd - Lot 31 - Graham S Morrison, Inchbruich, Cornhill - 4,200gns
Class 3 - Single Texel Ewe Lamb (Sponsor Natural Stockcare Ltd)
1st - Lot 88 - R H Wilson, North Dorlaithers, Turriff - 3,000gns
2nd - Lot 89 - James Innes & Sons, Dunscroft, Huntly - 1,600gns
3rd - Lot 96 - K & M Parker, Wyrebeck, Scorton - 300gns
Texel Champion (sponsor – Northlink Ferries) - Lot 9 - R H Wilson, North Dorlaithers, Turriff
Texel Reserve Champion (sponsor – Northlink Ferries) - Lot - 88 - R H Wilson, North Dorlaithers, Turriff
Class 4 - Single Suffolk Ewe
1st - Lot 164 - G Christie, Newton of Balquhain, Inverurie - 650gns
2nd - Lot 165 - G Christie, Newton of Balquhain, Inverurie - 550gns
3rd - Lot 157- W G Troup Ltd, Corrennie House, Sauchen – 280gns
Class 5 - Single Suffolk Gimmer
1st - Lot 168 - James C Innes, Dunscroft, Huntly - 1,200gns
2nd - Lot 174 - George L Stuart, Milltown of Birness, Ellon - 1,400gns
3rd - Lot 173 - George L Stuart, Milltown of Birness, Ellon - 1,300gns
Class 6 - Single Suffolk Ewe Lamb
1st - Lot 207 - George L Stuart, Milltown of Birness, Ellon - 750gns
2nd - Lot 206 - George L Stuart, Milltown of Birness, Ellon
3rd - Lot 212 - G Christie, Newton of Balquhain, Inverurie
Suffolk Champion - Lot 168 - James C Innes, Dunscroft, Huntly
Suffolk Reserve Champion - Lot 207 - G L Stuart, Milltown of Birness, Ellon
Class 10 - Single Beltex Ewe
1st Lot 223 - S Wood, Woolhillock, Skene - 700gns
2nd Lot 225 - G M Ireland, The Mull, Cormalet,Huntly – 350gns
Class 11 - Single Beltex Gimmer
1st - Lot 237 - Colin G Mair & Partners, Muirfield, Everton of Auchry, Cuminestown - 900gns
2nd - Lot 230 - S Wood, Woolhillock, Skene - 850gns
3rd - Lot 232 - Graham & Fiona Burke, Cairndrum Cottage, Edzell - 500gns
Class 12 - Single Beltex Ewe Lamb
1st- Lot 264 - Patrick Delday, Monkshill Croft, Fyive - 500gns
2nd - Lot 266 - Patrick Delday, Monkshill Croft, Fyvie - 250gns
Beltex Champion - Lot 237- Colin G Mair & Partners, Muirfield, Everton of Auchry, Cuminestown
Beltex Rerserve Champion - Lot 223 - S Wood, Woolhillock, Skene