Patrick and Orla Grant had a night to remember at the Great Bonanza Suffolk female sale at Ballymena Livestock Market on Saturday, securing the top price of the sale with their gimmer which sold for 10,000gns.
The top-priced gimmer, a daughter of Limestone Rizzler and carrying twins to Rockdale Ever so Clever, was knocked down to Johnny and Lisa Doyle.
The results add to an outstanding year for the Grant family’s Craigdoo Flock, who made history earlier in 2026 with a ram lamb that they sold for a new Irish record price of 55,000gns.
Tyrone native Jack Smyth also had plenty of cause for celebration at the Bonanza sale, with his Bessiebell Flock producing eight of the top 10 prices sold.
Leading the Bessiebell consignment at 8,500gns was a daughter of Lakeview No Limits, carrying twins to Frongay Rocket. She was purchased by Richard Black.
Hot on her heels at 8,000gns, was another Bessiebell gimmer, this time sired by Triplek Topper and carrying triplets to Scrogton Keerperlit. She headed to the Cairnview flock with fellow breeder, John Robson. A further gimmer of Jack Smyth’s realised 7,500gns.
“I should not be selling this gimmer,” he remarked, acknowledging the quality of the Jalex Charlie daughter he offered for sale. She was subsequently purchased by Allen Short.
John Robson’s Cairnview Flock also featured among the leading prices, with their best entry selling for 5,000gns. The gimmer, sired by Bessiebell Bonny Boy and carrying twins to Jalex Coke, was knocked down to Jack Smyth.
Topping the ewe lamb section was a Blackstown Ironman daughter, that realised a creditable 2,200gns for Andrew Moses, Blackstown Suffolks. The top-priced ewe lamb was purchased by Antoin Fox.
Other notable prices included:
