This week sees one of the largest pedigree sheep sales in the UK and possibly the largest single breed sale this year, when 1342 Beltex go under the hammer at Carlisle.
With a catalogue so big it has been a hard job to whittle it down in to a preview and I’m under no illusion that I have doubtless missed a sheep or two with a chance of making decent money. But for what it’s worth here’s my pick of the shearling ewes forward.
Up first for me is Corra Rebecca (lot 6) from Glen Forsyth. This one is by Beachy Perfection and out of Coraa Nibble Dibble, a full sister to the 7800gns gimmer Corra Natasha.
Next pick among the gimmers is Jock McMillan’s first one in, Clary Rapper (lot 32). She is by Borderesk Leap Frog and is out of a Clary Kaiser Chief dam, giving her some very strong bloodlines, with Kaiser Chief having bred very well for Jock over the years and Leap Frog doing a good job too.
Andrew Baillie’s pen should be a fair one and his first, Callacrag Roll (lot 42), is among the pick. She is sired by Clary Prankster out of a Longley Hero daughter and goes back to Leap Frog and a good Clary ewe in the form of Clary Kinswomen.
And the Copland family will be hoping to continue their form from the Highland with their team for Carlisle. Their first in, Orkney Riva (lot 65), could well be one to watch. She is by Forglen Nearco, the 2010 Scottish National champion and out of Orkney Kelly, a Hoveke daughter.
The next one to get a mark in the catalogue could well be among the stars of the gimmer sale, being Sara Gibbons’ Whatmore Ruby (lot 105), a Woodies Perection daughter which was breed and interbreed champion at the Three Counties. Having seen this gimmer in the flesh she is full of style and character and could well be among the very top end of the prices.
Another with a good show pedigree behind her is Broughton Runaround from the Dunlops (lot 137). Sired by Clary Number-One she is out of Broughton Naturelle the 2009 Royal Highland winning ewe lamb, another sheep full of style and flesh.
Both John Cowan’s Brickrow pen and Richard Wood’s Kingledores pens could well have some gimmers in and among the money too, but the next one to catch the eye is Artnagullion Rhianna (lot 217) from Elizabeth McAllister. This Beachy Norman daughter is out of Artnagullion Mao, a Ulysses daughter and was female champion at Balmoral this year.
John Barclay’s Beachy flock will be one to watch too and the first in the ring, Beachy Ramrod (lot 258) is sure to be a decent sheep. Sired by Corstane Nigg she is out of a Kaiser Chief daughter and goes back to Viagrow on her sire’s side.
The last pick among the gimmers come from Paul Tippetts’ Hackney flock and is Hackney Rosa (lot 294). She is an ET bred daughter of Am Yer Man and is out of Corra Natasha, the 7800gns record priced gimmer from 2010.
My picks for the tups will be along later today….
by 
