PHENOMENAL trade, including a top price of £5,880, saw records tumble at Skipton mart’s autumn working sheepdogs sale.

Of 97 dogs forward, 82 sold, including 49 of the 54 field-run dogs – a new mart record. They included 46 broken registered dogs which averaged £2,317.

The top price performer was triallist Michael Gallagher, County Antrim, and Belle, a 17 month-old black and white bitch which sold to US triallist Don Whittington, Ohio.

John Bell of Howden, Selby, took the second top price of 5,400gns with November 2012-born Susie. She sold to triallist Kevin Evans, Powys.

Mr Bell set a new Skipton record of 4,900gns for a dog under one with Tanhill Gael, an 11 month-old black and white bitch and full sister to the European Nursery champion, Tanhill Glen. She sold to a Texan buyer.

He also sold Gael’s full sister, Tanhill Peg, for 2,400gns to an Aberdeenshire buyer.

Brothers Joe and Padraig Doherty, County Donegal, set a Skipton record for a pup when Ann, a six month-old black and white bitch, sold for 1,850gns to Trevor Procter, Great Musgrave, Kirkby Stephen.

Tony Iley, a triallist from Long Framlington, Morpeth, sold Boo, his two year-old black and white dog, who was runner-up in the 2014/15 Northumberland Nursery Championship for 4,000gns to Jonjo Pattinson, Barden Mill, Hexham.

Shaun Richards, Eldroth, sold his 21 month-old black and white dog, Flowerscar Scott to a Welsh buyer for 3,600gns.

At 2,300gns Peg, an unregistered nine month-old black and white bitch from Henry Bouch, Penrith, joined Clive Rowland in Garrowby, York.

Three unregistered broken dogs sold for an overall average of £1,662; part-broken registered dogs averaged £634; and part-broken unregistered dogs peaked at 500gns, averaging £297.

Top performer in the unbroken pen was Ben, a nine month-old black and white dog from Mrs J Cook of Egton, Whitby, who sold for 1,500gns to a North Yorkshire buyer.