The Capstick family, from Newbiggin-on-Lune, had reason to celebrate after one of their Rough Fell sheep took the championship at the Diamond Delights show and sale held by North West Auctions at the J31 centre on Saturday.
The widely admired gimmer shearling from M. P. and A. Capstick, High Lane — sired by the renowned tup Catholes Action and in lamb to Middleton Hall Eskdale — went on to sell for a breed record price of 1,900gns.
The accomplished judge, John Potter, from Orton, awarded reserve honours to T. L. B. and J. Knowles, Selside, for another splendid shearling which sold for 500gns — the second highest price on the day.
The sale saw one of the largest entries seen for some time, with 11 in-lamb gimmer shearlings selling to average of 435gns.
Rough Fell ewes were a strong trade throughout, with prices topping at 450gns for one from E. and K. Bland, Gaisgill, this being sired by Brownber Bombshell.
Others sold to 420gns from T. L. B. and J. Knowles, Selside, which was sired by Brownber Unimog and in lamb to Black Horse Caramel.Awards, Rough Fell in-lamb ewe: 1 J. Hunter, Galloper Park; 2 T. L. B. and J. Knowles, High Barrow Bridge; 3 J. Hunter. In-lamb shearling: 1 M. P. and A. Capstick, High Lane; 2 T. L. B. and J. Knowles; 3 E. and K. Bland, Cotegill Farm.
Empty gimmer hogg: 1 L. C. Pittendrigh, Blaircochrane.The Swaledale section saw the largest entry to date for this sale of individual females, The sale was held on behalf of the Swaledale Sheep Breeders’ Association and saw a buoyant trade throughout.
The show judging was in the capable hands of James Metcalfe, Muker, who awarded the championship to a gimmer shearling from R. C. Hallam, Horton-in-Ribblesdale.
This sharp coloured gimmer shearling was sired by Hundith Ewbank and scanned in lamb with a single to Ghyll House Jawbreaker. It went on to sell for the top price of 3,000gns to Messrs Lawson and Sons, Hundith.
Other leading prices for gimmer shearlings included the 1,300gns paid for the pen leader from A. and M. Skidmore, Tebay, sired by Oakbank Emerald and scanned with twins to Buttrig Viceroy.
Swaledale ewes sold to a top of 900gns for the first prize ewe from T. Brogden, Helbeck, sired by Brownber Polo and scanned with a single to Brownber Reagent.Awards, Swaledale in-lamb ewe: 1 T. Brogden, Helbeck Farm; 2 P. E. and K. A. Sowerby, Oakbank; 3 R. C. Hallam, High Birkwith Farm. In-lamb shearling: 1 R. C. Hallam, High Birkwith Farm; 2 A. and M. Skidmore, Flakebridge Farm; 3 T. A. and J. Dixon, Yoad Pot.
