Trade was in flying form at this year’s Christmas Cracker Sale held at H&H Borderway Market on Friday, 13th December, where a top price of 2000gns was achieved by the Owens family’s Woodhouse flock from Presteigne, Herefordshire.

The sale was preceded by the pre-sale show, where the Owens family swept the top honours. Their shearling ewe, Woodhouse 2, was crowned Champion, with the Reserve Champion title going to Mr C. Adamson for his ewe lamb entry. Under Judge N Pagett, Preston, Lancashire.

Leading the sale was the Champion shearling ewe, Woodhouse 2. By Dalwyne Avici and out of a homebred ewe with strong, proven bloodlines, she was scanned in-lamb with twins. After spirited bidding, she was knocked down to M. Cater, Macclesfield, for 2000gns.

The Woodhouse flock continued their impressive run, selling three additional shearling ewes (lots 34, 36, and 39) for 1600gns apiece, further cementing their reputation for breeding high-quality stock.

Next at 1300gns was a yearling ewe from Jack Graham’s Birsca flock, Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire. Sired by Whitcastles Angus and out of a homebred dam, this stylish ewe sold to MacGill & A. Jones of Isle of Islay, Argyll.

The strong form of the Woodhouse flock extended to their ewe lamb entries, achieving a top price of 1600gns for a lamb with homebred bloodlines on both sire and dam sides. This ewe lamb, from E. & J. Amphlett, was sold to Ceredigion-based S. Jones for his Fronarth flock.

Show Results:
Yearling Ewes
1st: J&P Owens
2nd: Miss A. Smith
3rd: Mr J. Graham
4th: J&P Owens

Ewe Lambs
1st: Mr C. Adamson
2nd: JG&ES Amphlett
3rd: Mrs A. Burgess
4th: J&P Owens

Averages: 3 ewes £315; 27 shearling ewes £1096.66; 31 ewe lambs £518.22 (H&H).