Carlisle – Crossing Type – 10th October 2025

Carlisle – Friday 10th October 2025

Pre Sale Show – Kindly Sponsored by Allflex Livestock Intelligence

The final round of Association sales took place on Friday, with buyers and sellers from all over the UK descending on the Borderway site. Just over 1000 sheep were catalogued to go through three rings, so it was all hands to the pump for the auctioneers and yard staff to keep the sale running smoothly. Trade was bouncing all round and the were plenty of happy sellers.

In the Crossing section it was the Midlock pen which topped the days trade. This smashing lamb, by the £32,000 T1 Hewgill bought out of Hawes last year which is certainly leaving his mark, with 3 tups into five figures for the Midlock team last week at Hawes. He is out of a homebred ewe going back to a good show ewe out of the mother of E29. It was sold it a two-way split for £20,000 to the Drummock and Tievebuaile Farm flocks. Another T1 Hewgill son sold for £4800, to complete a great day for the top-notch flock as they finished the day with an average of £7175 for their quartet of tups.

Just a few lots after the Midlock pen it was the turn of Simon Armstrong to get a touch of magic, as his smart tup lamb, New Hartrigg V2, got the buyers excited, with the hammer falling at £18,000. He is out of a Carry House ewe, by the Ronaldo tup, bought at the dispersal sale late last year for £5000. She was carrying lambs to the Midlock Magic, which has been performing exceptionally for the Carry House and Steel flocks. He sold in a four-way split with the Hundith, West Biggins, Wood Hall and Barnshangan flocks all getting a leg each in him.

It was a personal best for Michael Lee, Agars Hill, as his first lamb, cracked on and was bid to £9000. This late born lamb with a great skin, was by the Midlock Magic sired S10 Steel which was bought privately last year and saw the first 20 lambs by him average £318 at Lazonby. His mother is out of a Carry House ewe and by Midlock L32 which has done well for him. With such great crossing bloodlines in him it was no surprise that he was chased down by mule breeders, with John & Mandy Smith-Jacksons getting a half along with Messrs Lee, White Hall.

Setting the tone for the day was the man of the moment, Martyn Archer, on the last leg of his farewell Tup Sale Tour. He was first in and enjoyed a cracking trade. His first three tups, all by the Midlock Magic, enjoyed a flyer. The first in, out of a £5000 Ronaldo daughter made £8000, selling to Messrs Walton, Barden Mill and Messrs James, Todhills. His next out of a ewe by the L1 Asby Hall made £5000 to Messrs Morshead & Messrs Murray, Northumberland. His third made £7000, again out of a great breeding L1 Asby Hall ewe, which has already bred 3 tups above five figures. This one sold to Messrs Kerr, Sauchrie Mains. The Carry House flock levelled at £3787.50 for 8 lambs sold.

The Forebrae flock enjoyed a good trade too, selling to a top of £6500 for a son of the S8 Carry House, one of three they used from Carry House last year. He sold to Messrs Edgar, Kelso.

The days Champion, judged by Peter Fell, went to the Dawyck flock, with a son of the £32,000 Skelgate, which himself was champion at Carlisle last year. His mother was by the M2 Smearsett and full of crossing bloodlines. He sold to Messrs Hunter, Redmire.

The Reserve Champion went the Cottage flock from Jimmy Bell & Rachel Buckle, who have had a great sales season. Their reserve stood second in the tup lamb class and was by T1 Scarromanwick.

Crossing Type

3 Aged Rams @ £382.33

109 Shearling Rams @ £1047.25

191 Ram lambs @ £1580.37