Strong averages were achieved and Texels top at 6,000gns at the Thainstone Show and Sale of Pedigree Rams held on Tuesday 22nd September.
The event, sponsored by Harbro and supported by Elanco saw an increased number of 635 pedigree and cross-bred rams sell onto new owners.
The Texel championship was awarded to Robert Wilson, North Dorlaithers Farm, Turriff by the Judge Stephen Sutherland, Sibmister, Thurso for a ram lamb sired by Hilltop Invictus by Hexel High Voltage, which went to sell for the top price of the day 6,000gns to G Morrison, Inchbruich Farm, Cornhill, Banff.
The second top price of the day was paid for a 3rd prize shearling from R W Blackhall, The Green, Raemoir, Banchory. Sired by Townhead Farm Frank the Tank, he went onto sell to D & I Mackintosh, Kirkton of Kingoldrum, Kirriemuir for 2,800gns.
2,500gns was paid for a ram lamb sired by Milnbank Hollywood, from A M & L Sutherland, Carran, Crosskirk, Forss, which sold to J Cowe, Little Howes, Holm, Orkney.
A shearling from Rodney Blackhall, The Green, was tapped out at 2,300gns, selling to W Barnetson & Sons, Lynegar, Watten, Wick.
The next top price of 2,200gns, was paid for a shearling also from Rodney Blackhall which went onto sell to Ardhuncart Farm, Ardhuncart, Kildrummy, Alford.
2,000gns was achieved six times, first for a shearling from K W Hourston, Skelbister, Orphir, Stromness selling to G A Roberston, Tillyorn Corse, Lumphanan followed by a shearling from Rodney Blackhall, The Green, which sold to Alan J Rae, Mains of Orchardtown, Udny, Ellon.
The next tup to realise 2,000gns was a shearling from Mathew Seed & Son, Home Farm of Auchry, Cuminestown, Turriff, selling to C Stephen & Son, Newton of Greeness, Turriff, followed by a ram lamb from A M & L Sutherland, Carran, selling to G L Stuart, Milltown of Birness, Ellon.
Finally, two ram lambs from SJC Livestock, Sunnyside, Ashfield, Garmouth were tapped out at 2,000gns, first selling to Smallburn Farms, Plewlands, Duffus, Elgin then Mathew Seed, Home Farm of Auchry.
The Reserve award went to the shearling from D J McKerrow, Uppermill Farm, Tarves, Ellon which sold to G A Robertson, Tillyorn Corse, Lumphanan, Banchory for 1,700gns.
In the Suffolk section, a top price of 2,600gns was achieved for the Reserve Champion, a Shearling Ram sired by Pyeston Phoenix from G L Stuart, Milltown of Birness, Ellon, which went on to sell to E M Smith & Son, Towiemore, Keith.
The second top price of 2,000gns was achieved four times, firstly for a Shearling sired by Sitlow Style N Passion from C & K Stuart, Lettoch Farm, Glenlivet, which went on to sell to C Wright, Prony Farm, Ballater.
Judge I Laird of Yeldabrek, Orkney, tapped a Ram Lamb from C G Paterson, Cranna Bridge, Aberchirder, as the Suffolk Champion. The tup, sired by Birness Hot To Go, went on to sell to the judge for the second top price of 2,000gns.
Sharing the second top price, a Ram Lamb from J Young, Muirton, Corse, which placed second in the Pen of 5 Ram Lambs class, sold to A Cruickshank, Newmill, Crathes, Banchory. This was followed by a Ram Lamb from C & M Bruce, Tillyeve, Udny. The tup, sired by Chalmerston Diamond, went on to sell to T A Sands Ltd, Southfield, Inchture, Perthshire.
The third top price of 1,800gns was achieved twice for two Ram Lambs from J Young, Muirton, Corse. The first was the second-place Ram Lamb, sired by Mullaghboy Masterclass, which went on to sell to E M Smith & Son, Towiemore, Keith. This was followed by a tup sired by Salopian Zoolander, which sold to C D Whitton, Corner Cottage, Oathlaw, Forfar.
A Shearling Ram from C & K Stuart, Lettoch Farm, Glenlivet, realised the next top price of 1,800gns. The Shearling, sired by Claycrop Cadillac, went on to sell to C & M Laurenson, Boanyview, Susetter, Voe.
1,500gns was achieved three times for Shearling Rams sired by Sitlow Style N Passion from C & K Stuart, Lettoch Farm, Glenlivet. The first Shearling went on to sell to Mesr J Ross, Ankerville, Nigg Station, Tain, with the third-prize Shearling Ram selling to Smith Croft Ltd, Carinya, Sandwick, and lastly a Shearling sold to C Wright, Prony Farm, Ballater.
Additionally, a top price of 1,500gns was also realised for a Shearling Ram from R & K William, Ranna Farm, Sinnahard, Glenkindie, which went to J Cameron, Balmacaan, Drumnadrochit, Inverness.
In the Bluefaced Leicester section, a top price of 1,600gns was achieved for the second-place Shearling from M Seed & Son, Home Farm of Auchry, Turriff, which went on to sell to Drummuir Home Estate Office, Drummuir, Keith.
Judge Nicol Dow of Upper Sauchen, Ordhead, tapped a Shearling Ram, also from M Seed & Son, Home Farm of Auchry, as the Bluefaced Leicester Champion. The Champion sold for the second top price of 1,100gns to C & K Stuart, Lettoch Farm, Glenlivet. Also realising 1,100gns was the second-place Ram Lamb from S Burnett, Kingswells Croft, Insch, which sold to Drummuir Home Estate Office, Drummuir, Keith.
The Reserve Champion, a Ram Lamb also from S Burnett, Kingswells Croft, went on to achieve the next top price of 1,000gns, selling to Drummuir Home Estate Office. A Shearling Ram from M Seed & Son, Home Farm of Auchry, also realised 1,000gns, selling to W Barnetson & Lynegar, Watten, Wick.
A top price of 1,400gns was realised in the Border Leicester sale for a Shearling Ram from K W Hourston, Skelbister, Orphir, Stromness, which sold to A Miller & Son, Aimster, Thurso. The second top price of 1,350gns was also achieved for a Shearling Ram from K W Hourston, Skelbister, which sold to Morrison & Mu, Hillhead, Birnie, Elgin.
The Border Leicester Champion was awarded to a Ram Lamb from J G Douglas, Woodhead, Cairness, Fraserburgh. The Champion sold for the next top price of 1,200gns to C Finne, Richmondhill House, Blackhills, Peterhead. A Shearling Ram from K W Hourston, Skelbister, also realised 1,200gns, selling to G C Watt & Son, South Byebush, St Katerines, Inverurie.
A price of 1,100gns was achieved twice for Shearling Rams from J G Douglas, Woodhead, Cairness, Fraserburgh. The first was the Border Leicester Reserve Champion, which sold to A Cruickshank, Newmill, Crathes, Banchory, followed by another Shearling which sold to G C Watt & Son, South Byebush, St Katerines, Inverurie.
In the Charollais section, a top price of 1,200gns was realised for a Shearling Ram from Taylor Dalgarno, Clackriach Dairy, Maud, Peterhead, which sold to G R Marshall, Meikle Haddo, Newburgh, Ellon. The second top price of 1,100gns was achieved by a Shearling from H E G Davies, Hillhead of Cannahars, Whitecairns, Aberdeen, which was tapped out by the judge and sold to G A Ingram, East Comalegy, Drumblade, Huntly.
The Charollais Champion, a Ram Lamb from R Davidson, Corsairtly Farm, Keith, sold for 800gns to J & L Shepherd, Cowiehillock, Echt, Westhill. The Reserve Champion, a Ram Lamb from E & E Duncan, Barnyard Farm, Clola, Mintlaw, followed at 700gns, selling to E J Stephen, Netherthird, Rothienorman, Inverurie.
The Beltex section achieved a top price of 1,500gns for a Ram Lamb from S Wood, Broadwater, Skene, Aberdeen, which sold to J & N G Sinclair, Crookston, Herriot. Judge T A Linklater of Stonlea, Orkney, awarded the Beltex Champion to a Shearling Ram from G Ireland, The Mull, Cormalet, Cairnie, which went on to sell for the second top price of 1,300gns to Tommy Linklater, Orkney.
A further two Shearlings, both from G Ireland, The Mull, also realised 1,300gns. The first sold to Ellis & Keir, Cairncoullie, Glenkindie, Alford, followed by the second, which sold to S & F Young, Nether Drumallochie, Glenkindie, Alford.
The Reserve Champion was awarded to a Shearling Ram from S Wood, Broadwater, Skene, which went on to sell for 800gns to G D & M R Poyser, Cummerton, New Aberdour, Fraserburgh. Blue Texel Rams sold for a top price of 1,200gns, achieved by a Shearling Ram from J Mckilligan, Mains of Newtongarry, Drumblade, Huntly, which sold to J & A Strathdee, North Retannach, Rothiemay, Huntly.
The Blue Texel Champion was awarded to a Shearling from S Wood, Broadwater, Skene, Aberdeen, which sold for the second top price of 900gns to B Findlay, Easter Balgillo, Tannadice, Forfar. The judge also tapped a Ram Lamb from W J & M Hunter, West Cairnhill, Culsalmond, Insch, as the Reserve Champion, which sold for 600gns to C L Sclater, Lorness, Shapinsay, Orkney.
The Cross Bred Champion from S McRobbie, 3 Pirie Road, New Deer, Turriff, topped the Any Other Breeds sale at 2,800gns, selling to Smallburn Farm, Plewlands, Duffus, Elgin.
The Pure Bred Champion from S Wood, Broadwater, Skene, Aberdeen, then sold for 1,000gns to J Eddie & Son, Hallhill, Kinneff, Montrose.
In the Dutch Spotted section, the overall champion was awarded to the 1st prize gimmer from J Marshall, Fingask Farmhouse, Fingask Farm, Rhynd which went onto sell for the top price of 1,800gns to A J Pirie, Bogallie, Botriphnie, Keith. The reserve champion female went to the ewe lamb from A Paterson & Son, 6 Crossapol, Isle of Tiree. The champion and reserve champion rams, went to two shearlings from E A Eunson, Halley Farm, Deerness, Orkney.
Colin Slessor, Deputy Head of Livestock said: “We have had an excellent day here at Thainstone, with strong averages being achieved for all sections. The Texel and Suffolk breeds had near total clearances with tremendous prices. 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 – 198 ram lambs, £759.13 (+£55.86) and 40 shearlings, £1,095.94 (+£137.50) Texel – 95 ram lambs, £1,000.82 (+£127.86) and 64 shearlings, £1,319.88 (+£15.25). Charollais – 21 ram
lambs, £547.50 (+£37.95) and 16 shearlings, £915.47 (+£97.09). AOB – 24 ram lambs, £780.94 (+£82.83) and 59 shearlings, £858.15 (+£160.04). Border Leicester – 6 ram lambs, £997.50 and 11 shearlings, £959.32. Beltex – 4 ram lambs, £945 (+£17.50) and 29 shearlings, £767.70 (-£30.11). Bluefaced Leicester – 6 ram lambs, £717.50 (+£126.88) and 14 shearlings, £778.50 (+£131). Blue Texel – 3 ram lambs, £472.50 and 5 shearlings, £819 (+£294). Dutch Spotted – 9 ram lambs, £554.17 (+£186.67) and 7 shearlings, £637.50 (+£100.84)
Thainstone Pedigree Ram Show & Sale Prize List 2026
Suffolks
Judge - I Laird, Yeldabrek, Orkney
Class 1 - Shearling Ram
1st – Lot 12 G L Stuart, Milltown of Birness, Ellon
2nd – Lot 32 F Hunter, West Cairnhill, Culsalmond
3rd – Lot 20 C & K Stuart, Lettoch Farm, Glenlivet
Class 2 - Ram Lamb
1st – Lot 151 C G Paterson, Cranna Bridge, Aberchirder
2nd – Lot 176 J Young, Muirton, Corse
3rd – Lot 94 G L Stuart, Milltown of Birness, Ellon
Class 3 - Pen of 5 Ram Lambs
1st – Lot 95, 96, 97, 100 & 101 G L Stuart, Milltown of Birness, Ellon
2nd – Lot 180, 181, 182, 184 & 185 J Young, Muirton, Corse
3rd – Lot 152, 153, 154, 157 & 167 C G Paterson, Cranna Bridge, Aberchirder
Suffolk Champion
Lot 151 – C G Paterson, Cranna Bridge, Aberchirder
Suffolk Reserve Champion
Lot 12 – G L Stuart, Milltown of Birness, Ellon
Texels
Judge – Steven Sutherland, Sibmister, Thurso
Class 4 – Shearling or Aged Ram
1st – Lot 304 D J McKerrow, Uppermill Farm, Tarves
2nd – Lot 343 William J Knox, Mid Haddo, Fyvie, Turriff
3rd – Lot 360 Rodney W Blackhall, The Green, Raemoir, Banchory
Class 5 – Ram Lamb
1st – Lot 421 Robert H Wilson, North Dorlaithers Farm, Turriff
2nd – Lot 486 Kenny Pratt, Oldtown Farm, Peterculter
3rd – Lot 473 Jemma Green, Corskie Farm, Garmouth
Class 6 – Pen of 3 Ram Lambs
1st – Lot 428, 429 & 430 Robert H Wilson, North Dorlaithers Farm, Turriff
2nd – Lot 477, 478 & 471 Jemma Green, Corskie Farm, Garmouth
3rd – Lot 410, 411 & 412 George L Stuart, Milltown of Birness, Ellon
Class 7 – Best Pen of Shearlings
1st – Strathbogie Flock
2nd – Haddo Flock
3rd – Sheeoch Flock
Texel Champion
Lot 421 - Robert H Wilson, North Dorlaithers Farm, Turriff
Texel Reserve Champion
Lot 304 - D J McKerrow, Uppermill Farm, Tarves
Bluefaced Leicester
Judge – N Dow, Upper Sauchen, Ordhead
Class 8 – Shearling or Aged Ram
1st – Lot 603 M Seed & Son, Home Farm of Auchry
2nd – Lot 604 M Seed & Son, Home Farm of Auchry
3rd – Lot 609 J Cowe, Little Howes
Class 9 – Ram Lamb
1st – Lot 616 S Burnett, Kingswells Croft
2nd – Lot 617 S Burnett, Kingswells Croft
3rd – Lot 618 S Burnett, Kingswells Croft
Bluefaced Leicester Champion
Lot 603 – M Seed & Son, Home Farm of Auchry
Bluefaced Leicester Reserve Champion
Lot 616 – S Burnett, Kingswells Croft
Border Leicester
Judge – N Dow, Upper Sauchen, Ordhead
Class 10 – Shearling or Aged Ram
1st – Lot 625 Mr. J.G. Douglas, Woodhead
2nd – Lot 622 Mr. K. W. Hourston, Skelbister
3rd – Lot 623 Mr. K. W. Hourston, Skelbister
Class 11 – Ram Lamb
1st – Lot 633 Mr. J.G. Douglas, Woodhead
2nd – Lot 635 Mr. J.G. Douglas, Woodhead
3rd – Lot 638 Mr Richard J Groat Bishopburn
Class 12 – Pen of 3 Ram Lambs
Lot 632, 634 &637 – J Douglass, Woodhead, Cairness
Border Leicester Champion
Lot 633 – Mr. J.G. Douglas, Woodhead
Border Leicester Reserve Champion
Lot 625 – Mr. J.G. Douglas, Woodhead
Charollais
Judge – N Dow, Upper Sauchen, Ordhead
Class 13 – Shearling or Aged Ram
1st – Lot 645 Mr Taylor Dalgarno, Clackriach
2nd – Lot 639 Mr Taylor Dalgarno, Clackriach
3rd – Lot 646 Misses Eilidh & Erin Duncan, Barnyards
Class 14 – Ram Lamb
1st – Lot 662 Mr R Davidson, Corsairtly
2nd – Lot 675 Misses Eilidh & Erin Duncan, Barnyards
3rd – Lot 663 Mr R Davidson, Corsairtly
Charollais Champion
Lot 662 – Mr R Davidson, Corsairtly
Charollais Reserve Champion
Lot 675 – Misses Eilidh & Erin Duncan, Barnyards
Beltex Sheep
Judge – T A Linklater, Stonlea, Orkney
Class 15 – Shearling or Aged Ram
1st – Lot 737 G Ireland, The Mull
2nd – Lot 711 S Wood, Broadwater
3rd – Lot 733 G Dinnie, Bridgeview
Class 16 – Ram Lamb
1st – Lot to 768 from E Sutherland Maisley
Beltex Sheep Champion
Lot 737 – G Ireland, The Mull
Beltex Sheep Reserve Champion
Lot 711 – S Wood, Broadwater
Blue Texel Sheep
Judge – T A Linklater, Stonlea, Orkney
Class 17 – Shearling or Aged Ram
1st – Lot 781 S Wood, Broadwater
2nd – Lot 772 J Mckilligan, Mains of Newtongarry
3rd – Lot 778 Kevin Mackay, Smithy House
Class 18 – Ram Lamb
1st – Lot 786 W & J M Hunter, West Cairnhill
2nd – Lot 785 W & J M Hunter, West Cairnhill
3rd – Lot 792 G & L Troup, Corrennie
Blue Texel Champion
Lot 781 – S Wood, Broadwater
Blue Texel Reserve Champion
Lot 786 – W & J M Hunter, West Cairnhill
Any Other Pure Bred
Class 19a – Shearling or Aged Ram
1st – Lot 762 S Wood, Broadwater
2nd – Lot 763 S Wood, Broadwater
3rd – Lot 764 S Wood, Broadwater
Class 20a – Ram Lamb
1st – Lot 807 P Imlah, 2 Wood Cottages
2nd – Lot 812 D J Rankine, 18 Kenilworth Terrace
3rd – Lot 809 P Imlah, 2 Wood Cottages
Any Other Pure Bred Champion
Lot 762 – S Wood, Broadwater
Any Other Pure Bred Reserve Champion
Lot 807 – P Imlah, 2 Wood Cottages
Any Other Cross Bred
Class 19b – Shearling or Aged Ram
1st – Lot 827 S J Livestock, 3 Pirie Road
2nd – Lot 852 Drumnies Blues, Drumnahive
3rd – Lot 841 C & K Stuart, Lettoch Farm
Class 20b – Ram Lamb
1st – Lot 899 J Scott, 5 East Ingliston
2nd – Lot 884 A J & A R Benzie, Meikle, Whiterashes
3rd – Lot 886 A J & A R Benzie, Meikle, Whiterashes
Cross Bred Champion
Lot 827 – S J Livestock, 3 Pirie Road
Cross Bred Reserve Champion
Lot 852 – Drumnies Blues, Drumnahive
Dutch Spotted Sheep
Judge – E Hortin, Waverton House, Carlisle
Class 21 – Shearling or Aged Ram
1st – Lot 907 E Spence, Halley
2nd – Lot 908 E Spence, Halley
3rd – Lot 905 Mr M & Mrs J Simpson, Tardoes
Class 22 – Ram Lamb
1st – Lot 925 C & I Mallarkey, Airdlin
2nd – Lot 926 C & I Mallarkey, Airdlin
3rd – Lot 929 Mrs L E Troup, Laurelle
Dutch Spotted Champion Ram
Lot 907 – E Spence, Halley
Dutch Spotted Reserve Champion Ram
Lot 908 – E Spence, Halley
Class 23 – Ewe
1st – Lot 940 Mr M & Mrs J Simpson, Tardoes
2nd – Lot 939 Mr M & Mrs J Simpson, Tardoes
3rd – Lot 941 Mr M & Mrs J Simpson, Tardoes
Class 24 – Gimmer
1st – Lot 951 J Marshall, Struie
2nd – Lot 950 Mr M & Mrs J Simpson, Tardoes
3rd – Lot 944 B Scott, Speyside
Class 25 – Ewe Lamb
1st – Lot 958 A Paterson & T Batchelor, Crosabol
2nd – Lot 957 A Paterson & T Batchelor, Crosabol
3rd – Lot 965 B Scott, Speyside
Dutch Spotted Champion Female
Lot 951 – J Marshall, Struie
Dutch Spotted Reserve Champion Female
Lot 958 – A Paterson & T Batchelor, Crosabol
Overall Dutch Spotted Champion
Lot 951 – J Marshall, Struie