1st - English
Foreman Hill Viper LMA1400097
M Leggat - Foreman Hill
Young flocks shine at
Texel National Sales A
change in format at the 2014 Texel Sheep Society National Sales saw a new class introduced to the pre-sale shows at all four sales with a new Youth Development Program ram lamb class implemented for ram lambs from flocks registered in the last five years. Giving an opportunity for new flocks to shine outside of the large open and recorded classes.
Auchencairn Tello son out of a dam by Duncryne Ringmaster. He sold to Cyril and Martin Millar for their Millar’s flock, with half of this lamb taken by Andrew Kennedy for the Maineview flock. Second place in the class went to Robert and Andrew Kennedy’s Maineview Vanarama, while in third was Andrew Fyffe’s Fairywater Vendetta.
This new class will also gain a new title for 2015, “the YDP Novice flocks class”, and is eligible for all flocks founded from January 1st 2010. The NI National sale Young breeder’s class remaining unchanged under the care of the NI Young breeders club.
The Scottish National Sale, Lanark, saw Melanie Alford take top spot in the YDP class with her lamb Foxhillfarm Vinnie, with this lamb going on to be tapped out as reserve male champion. Second here was Allan Campbell’s Strawfrank Van Persie and third was Tom and Ian Walling’s Whitlaw Valencia.
Strongly supported at all sales a number of lambs from these classes went on to make their mark in the show championships and notched up strong sale prices too. As has been proved consistently in recent years the Texel breed is easily accessible to breeders of all ages and experience.
At the Welsh National Sale, Welshpool, first place in this new class went to Young Venture Vantastic from Grace Rosie Holden, with this lamb selling at 2600gns. He’s by Teiglum Unique and is out of a Knock Playboy dam. Taking this one home was W T Davies, Penparc, Ceredigion.
The exceptional performance of a number of relatively young flocks at both show and sales in the last five years has shown that anyone can get to the top of the breed if they apply themselves.
In second spot was Matthew Ellis’ Cressage Vulture, with Robert Evans’ Hope Valley Vanguard in third place.
These new classes at the National Sales are designed to both acknowledge this and encourage newer breeders to participate at what are the headline events for the breed across the UK. At the Northern Irish National Sale, Ballymena, Mark Breen, Augher, Co Tyrone, took first place in the class, with his lamb, Ballygreenan Victor, going on to sell for 3000gns. This was an
The final National Sale of the year, the English National at Worcester saw Michael Leggat’s lamb, Foreman Hill Viper take the red ticket. This is a Tullagh Saracen son out of a dam by Glenside Razzle Dazzle. Taking second spot was Paul and Baillie O’Connor’s lamb Drumgooland Vanquish, with Baillie O’Connor himself taking third place with Windermere Vantage.
Youth Focus
14 Spring 2015
www.texel.co.uk