Kerry Hills soar to breed record 12,000gns at Ludlow

The Kerry Hill Sheep Society’s flagship show and sale at Ludlow celebrated its 125th anniversary in style, with a record price of 12,000gns paid for a shearling ram. More than 100 sheep were forward, with strong demand and lively bidding throughout.

Leading the trade was Woodhouse Farm El Fabiolo from JG and ES Amphlett, which topped the sale at 12,000gns, selling to Robert Price for his Pentrenant flock, Churchstoke. The March 2024-born shearling ram, by Woodhouse 2 Diamond and out of a Crugiau ewe, was also champion in the pre-sale show.

Speaking after his purchase, Mr Price said: “If you want to move forward, you’ve got to buy the best and I thought he was the best here today.”

Next best was Woodhouse 2 Epic from J and P Owens, a shearling ram also born in March 2024, by Pentrenant Dafydd and out of a Woodhouse 2 ewe. It made 2,600gns, selling to Geraint Roberts of the Pengwern flock, Denbigh.

Mr Roberts was then on the other end of the deal, as Pengwern Everest sold for 2,400gns. Everest is by an Overbuttergask sire and out of a homebred Pengwern ewe. It sold to FW Jones, Church Stretton, Shropshire.

Females 

Topping the ewe lambs was Woodhouse Farm Flo Jo from JG and ES Amphlett, a March-born lamb by Woodhouse 2 Diamond and out of a Crugiau ewe. It sold for 2,200gns and was knocked down to AM Burgess of the Top Spot flock, Dumfries.

The top-priced shearling ewe was Rathanna Easy Peasy from M Nolan, born in March 2024, by Whitfield Mr Bombastic and out of a Woodhouse 2 ewe. It sold for 1,100gns to the Woodhouse flock, Leominster.

Auctioneer at Ludlow, James Amphlett said the sale was well supported, with ‘a lot of people around the ring and a lot of bidding, which made for an easy day.’

Averages

• 25 ewe lambs – £619.50

• 5 ram lambs – £504

• 42 shearling ewes – £508.75

• 5 breeding rams – £535.50

• 27 shearling rams – £1,417.50