A NEW market record for a Swaledale was set at Bentham Auction’s annual multi-breed sale of individual breeding sheep.

Patrick Sowerby, of Barras, took the championship and gained the top price of £1,800 with his Swaledale in-lamb gimmer shearling bred from the Mossdale sire C36269 and a Robert Thornber ewe.

In lamb with twins to C35866, bred by Brogdens of Helbeck, she was bought by avid supporter of the breed, Frank Brennand of Chapel-le-Dale. Mr Sowerby’s run of ten ewes and shearlings achieved an average of £522 per head.

Topping the Bluefaced Leicester section was an empty gimmer hogg from David and Robin Booth, of Feizor. Sired by B013 Black Tag, with her dams sire being noted as V037 Lunesdale, she attracted active bidding. Messrs Tomlinson of Kilburn had the successful bid of £1,250.

The Herdwick section was well supported.

Ann Wilson of Dockray claimed the top prices in the ewe, shearling and gimmer hogg sections. Top price was £260 for an in-lamb shearling scanned with twins to her Gatesgarth ram and bought by Messrs Temple of Seathwaite.

Dalesbred Sheep sold to a top of £450 for an in-lamb shearling from John and Jean Bradley of Giggleswick and bought by Bainbridge Bros of Richmond.

  • Auctioneers & Secretaries: Richard Turner & Son.