TOP prices followed the top prizes as the Supreme Champion and Reserve headed up the Beltex Sheep Society’s in-lamb sale at Harrison and Hetherington’s Borderway Centre, both of which sold to the judge.

What was particularly promising was the large number of new breeders investing in the breed to establish new flocks, as well as the strong clearance rate and increased averages on the year for all sections.

Leading the way at 6000gns was Alan Miller’s January-born ewe lamb named Lurg Juicy Lucy ET which has already secured a number of tickets in the show ring including second at the Royal Highland and first at the Scottish National held at Biggar. Sired by the 16,000gns Woodies Explosive that also bred Alan’s 50,000gns and 45,000gns shearling rams last year, Juicy Lucy’s dam is the Woodhow Dakota daughter, Kingledores Felicity, from the flock near Midmar, Inverurie. She was tapped out as Champion and then bought by the judge, Victoria Bowring, who runs the Windmill Flock near Nether Langwith, Mansfield.

Her full sister named Lurg Jail ET sold to Clarke James for 1200gns.

The second highest price of 3000gns was paid by Victoria for Matthew Burleigh’s Reserve Champion, Matt’s Hickory ET, from near Shanra, Enniskillen. Carrying a single to Buckles Horrace, this daughter of the privately purchased Buckles Fizzy Pop is out of the Hackney Corker-sired Matt’s Deeteebee. Matt, who sold a total of 22 to average £866, saw his Matt’s Hot Chocolate ET sell to Andrew Wainwright for his Todhall Flock near Cupar, Fife, for 1600gns. She is of similar breeding to Hickory, being by Buckles Fizzy Pop and out of a different Hackney Corker daughter in the shape of Matt’s Desert Rose. She changed hands scanned with a pair to Todhall Hurricane.

At 1100gns was Matt’s Hydro, again by Fizzy Pop and scanned with a pair to Todhall Hurricane. Selling to Alun Evans, Bodorgan, Gwynedd, she is out of Matt’s Atomic, this time by Hackney Warrior. Sion Jones welcomed a good trade with the part reduction of his Fronarth Flock from Pennant, Llanon, Ceredigion, which peaked at 2200gns for Fronarth Head over Heels ET. This Osprey Geronimo daughter is out of the Pantgwyn Wil-sired Fronarth Beauty and sold to new breeder, Stuart Robson, Galashiels, carrying a pair to Glantre Geronimo.