SHAUN Richards was top dog again at Skipton when he sold a two year-old tri-coloured bitch for 7,200gns (£7,560).

Mr Richards from Eldroth, near Settle, secured the top price with Irish-bred Nell which he bought from Michael Hynes, County Galway.

She has been used throughout this year’s lambing season and produced a litter of pups three months before the sale. Mr Richards has retained a bitch and a dog to train.

Nell sold to Niel (correct) Manning who farms 1,000 Blackface sheep near Moffat.

Mr Richards also sold Dot, a November 2014 black and white bitch, for 3,600gns to a Welsh buyer.

Welsh triallist Kevin Evans, of Brecon, sold two for a total of 7,500gns (£7,875). Nel, his two-year-old black and white bitch sold for 4,100gns to Scottish buyer Jock Sutherland and Sheba, his black and white bitch, sold for 3,400gns to David and Victoria Hill of Great Asby, Appleby.

Other dogs to sell at 2,000gns or more included Nell, a July 2015, black and white bitch from Roy Canning, Keighley, 2,800gns; Holly, a September 2014, black and white bitch from Henry Bouch, Penrith, 2,600gns. Mr Bouch also sold Kilcreen Kate, a February 2014, tri-coloured bitch for 2,050gns; Jet, an April 2011, black and white bitch from Beverley Fort, Steeton, 2,500gns; and John Bell, Howden, with his 13 month black and white bitch, Parks Farm Pip, 2,300gns.

The summer sale attracted a record 142 dogs, including a high percentage from Ireland. The sale ran 10 hours – from 8.30am until 6.30pm.

Prices and averages in brackets. – Broken section: Registered dogs to 3,900 gns (£1,655), registered bitches to 7,200gns (£2,336), overall average for registered field dogs £2,079. Unregistered dogs to 1,200gns (£925) and unregistered bitches to 1,600gns (£1,365).

One part-broken registered bitch from Peter Hallam, of Foxt, sold for 2,000gns, with an average of £527. Registered pen dogs sold to 900gns (£463), unregistered dogs sold to 480gns (£462) and unregistered bitches to 500gns (£410).

Skipton’s autumn sheep dogs sale is on Friday, October 28. Entries close on October 14.