Armoy Ram & Female Sale

Armoy – Saturday 9th October, 2021

Kindly Sponsored by Alistair Sampson, VOLAC

The finale of the association’s sale season turned to Armoy for the Bluefaced Leicester’s, with 106 sheep forward, numbers were down on the year but the quality on offer met the expectations of the buyers. Continued due bids from online and at the ringside let an electric atmosphere throughout the day. Seeing almost an 100% clearance; auctioneer Danny Mc Alister had his work cut out to keep up with catching the bids.

Colin Coulter the judge for the day had a smaller selection of sheep presented in the shearling class, this however didn’t leave his job any easier. The red rosette was lifted by Kim Mulligan from the Brague Flock for a very correct crossing type ram, with character and great carcase. With a larger selection of ram lambs Colin handed the red ticket to William Adams from the Holmview flock for a very modern type ram lamb, with character, colour, skin and overall correctness this lamb was hard to bypass. So much so, that he lifted overall Male Champion and Sale Champion for this Hydebank bred lamb and fetched 1350g in the ring. Standing second to this lamb and scooping Reserve Male and then Reserve Overall Champion was a lamb from Danny Mc Kee from the Rockside Flock. Another correct, coloured lamb, filled with style and power. This eye catching Penhill lamb went on to sell for 1050gns. Danny’s success on the day also saw his first lamb into the ring; again bred by M1 Penhill secure the top price of the day, finishing up at 1500gns. This lamb was a dazzling, sparky sheep with great potential. The final class of the day saw Ian Montgomery from the Mistyburn flock lift 1st place and overall female champion for his smart Yorehouse gimmer, full of elite bloodlines the hammer fell for her at 300gns. Standing in 2nd place and overall Reserve Female Champion was N3 Skeughdale presented by Hugo Mc Keegan from the Glenane Flock. This attractive, sparkling sheep caught the attention of many breeders and topped the female prices, settling at 440gns. There was an appetite throughout the sale with many sellers enjoying a good day’s trade, Michelle Wright from the Mullaghwee flock had a pen full of crossing bloodlined types and true to any mule breeders’ agenda. Topping the pen was a smart shearling by the L4 Blarnavaid. Her pen also saw many bids of over 900gns, with buyers looking new homes for these able functional sheep. Following in closely behind Michelle was Trevor Duncan from the Hill Vale Flock, with his first sheep seeing the final bid land at 1000gns. Bred from the renowned Farden Popeye, with his mule getting legacy proceeding him; there is very little doubt that this N10 will follow his hoof steps. With many lambs presented on the day all appearing mature and ready for work they meet a brisk trade. Correctness, colour and overall style were certainly criterion for many buyers on the day! Seeing Elaine and Damien McGarel from the Hick’s Brae flock scooping 1000gns for a Firmount bred lamb that met all of the above. The distinct colours, character and his presence grasped the attention of many buyers.

Once again thanks must go to the auction mart and the staff for organising the sale so well and also to the buyers, either online or in the ring or on the other end of the phone.

Averages:

Shearlings – 30 @ 794

Ram Lambs – 61 @ 578.69

Females – 11 @ 267.27