Carlisle – Blue Belles – Saturday 3rd January 2026

Carlisle Blue Belles

Saturday 3rd January 2026

New Year, New Records seemed to be the order of the day at the Blue Belles sale as trade was on fire right from the off for the traditional females, with six sheep over 5000gns. Breeders, both buyers and sellers descended on Carlisle, with those travelling North braving traffic congestion, due to the M6 closure, whilst those travelling South from the frozen wastelands of the North had to endure blizzards along the way. In the end it was worth it for all as the trade warmed everyone’s cockles.

Topping the days trade and setting a new breed record for the Traditional type along the way were the Kirkstead team of Alan, Sam and Oliver McClymont, who enjoyed a day to remember. Their record-breaking gimmer hogg is no stranger to the show ring, already having made its mark last summer, winning its class at Biggar Show and the Scottish progeny show too. It is by the T4 Wallholme, which is doing a sterling job at Kirkstead, leaving a very very influential stamp on the flock. She is out of a ewe which they purchased off Raymond Baynes as a ewe hogg at his dispersal sale a few years back. She is proving to be a shrewd investment, having already bred a tup lamb which sold for £15,000 at Kelso last year. She was sold to Ollie Jones from the Y-Ddol flock for 18,000gns, a new breed record for a gimmer hogg at a society sale. The next sheep into the ring from the Kirkstead consignment carried the Championship ticket, and was certainly an eye catcher, with the judge, Stuart Gray from the Ben Ledi flock, having no hesitation in putting her to the top of the line. This lass is sired by the £12,000 Madrissa and out of a ewe by the Ashes L1. She is the full sister to the Champion from Builth last year, and again, she has proved herself in the showring, winning at Peebles show last year. She was knocked down in a two-way spilt to Alfie Benbow, Borderlands flock and David Kear, Three Cliffs flock in Wales for 11,000gns. Kirksteads first gimmer into the ring set the tone for their trade, with the hammer falling at 5000gns for this outstanding sheep, which was 4^th at the Highland show and 2^nd at the Scottish progeny show. She is by the Blythbank tup and out of a ewe by G1 Burndale. She was carrying triplets to the £22,000 Glamis tup bought out of Kelso last year. She sold to Josh Farrell from the Yester Estates.

Earlier in the trade Matthew Seed who braved blizzard conditions to sell at the sale, leaving his wife, Rachel, to battle the snowdrifts and feed the sheep back home in Aberdeenshire, enjoyed a great trade with a brace of gimmers at 5000gns. His first Auchry T34 is a daughter of the £3000 Shrewbridge R11, which was the Champion at Builth when they bought him and her mother was by the Cernyw M11. She has been shown successfully, being part of the gimmer lamb group which won at the Scottish Progeny show in 2024. She is carrying twins to S2 West Bolton and was snapped up by the Yester Estates, who were back in for Auchry T42, a powerful gimmer by the £2000 Nant-Y-Glyd who has done well for the flock over the years. She was also carrying to the West Bolton, but this time a single. The Auchry flock averaged £2300 for their 9 forward, which is a good reward for a 10 hour round trip for them!

Dewi Williams from the Blackett House flock kept the buyers waiting to the very end, with his reserve Champion gimmer shearling the first in his consignment also fetching 5000gns. This powerful gimmer by the R2 Woodcroft, which has done extremely well for the flock, is out of a ewe by the Medwyn N2 and in lamb to the T31 Leadburnlea. She travelled back over the border to Claish Farms, Stirling.

Averages

36 Ewes                       £954.62

55 Gimmers                £1845.13

24 Ewe Lambs               £2395.31

115 Overall                   £1681.18