The second Irish Texel Premier Sale, held on Friday 4 September at Carnaross Mart, proved to be an exceptional way to mark the society’s 50th anniversary.
Noel P Walsh, Co Waterford, judged the pre-sale show, which boasted a large number of entries and a strong standard.
The yearling ewe class saw Aidan Murphy taking first prize with a ewe by Seaford Empire King. She went on to claim the female championship and, ultimately, the overall championship of the sale. She later sold for €1,650 and was purchased by Andy Keys.
John Neville took first prize in the ewe lamb class with a daughter of Connemara Incredible.
She went on to be awarded reserve female champion and sold for the top female price of the evening, €2,600, to Cathal O’Brien, Co Wicklow.
Strong prices continued
The shearling ram class saw John Canty take top honours with a son of his Drumderg Fancy Pants stock ram. He went on to achieve the top yearling ram price of €2,950, selling to Charlie Clare, Mullahrafferty flock.
Fergal Ó Sé, Co Kerry, led the way in the first ram lamb class with a son of Duncryne Hakuna Matata. He went on to sell for €1,200.
In the open ram lamb class, Arthur and Patrick O’Keefe, Co Cork, came out on top with a son of Knockhill Hercules. He then later sold for €1,150
The Irish sire ram lamb class was won by John, Colm and Michael McHugh with a son of Larahurl I’m the Man, their €16,000 purchase from Blessington last year. He went on to realise €1,650, purchased by Edward Buckley, Co Cork.
The final class was the novice ram lamb, in which Michael Hegarty took first prize with a son of Tully Ivy League.
Top sale price came from a ram lamb from John Green’s Larahurl flock. The son of John’s stock ram ‘The Rock’ was knocked down for €3,000 to Joseph Hughes, Co Wicklow.
John Neville from the Irish Texel Sheep Society said: “Overall, the second premier sale showcased the exceptional quality and depth within the Irish Texel breed.
"With sheep entered from right across the country, the standard was extremely high throughout the show. The sale itself saw excellent demand from both pedigree and commercial farmers, providing a fitting celebration of 50 years of the Irish Texel Sheep Society and highlighting the continued strength and popularity of the Texel breed across Ireland.”
Judge Noel P Walsh commented on the outstanding quality of the sheep on display and said he thoroughly enjoyed the task of judging such a strong entry.
Sale averages
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