A turnover above £2million and a top price of 24,000 guineas for a Texel shearling were the headline figures at this year’s NSA Wales & Border Main Ram Sale. High prices were underpinned by strong averages across the board, nearly 9% up on last year, with 90% of the rams forward sold.

The sale was distinguished by a busy and purposeful atmosphere as buyers flocked into the Royal Welsh Showground from early in the morning, attracted by the promise of quality and choice. More than 3,000 rams from across the UK were inspected before entering the sale ring.

The sale turnover was up £71,916 on the previous year at £2,050,929.88 and averages were £756.52, up £61.89 up on 2022. NSA Wales & Border Ram Sales Committee Vice Chairman, Geoff Probert, Worcester, was delighted with the day’s trading. He praised the high quality of sheep in all sections.

He said: “The top end tups have sold exceptionally well. The real point with Builth is that there is such a high standard in maternal and terminal sires.

“The averages are up on last year. The vendors are happy and the purchasers will be happy with the quality they are going home with.”

Geoff had the highest price Charollais, a shearling that sold for 4,000 guineas to S Furness of Derbyshire. It was one of 30 Charollais shearlings he brought, as well as 20 Texels. Both his breed consignments achieved their best ever averages and all sold.

The sale’s top price of 24,000 guineas went to Scolton Fieldmarshall, the champion from the pre sale show, reared and sold by Andrew Reed, who trades as WOJ Reed at Scolton, Haverfordwest. It sold to Esmor Evans of Mold. Its sire, Scolton Dynamo, was champion in 2021. Another of his shearlings sold for 10,000 guineas,.

Andrew said: “I’m over the moon with the averages as well. The prices have been great right through. It’s been a great sale, busy with plenty of buyers and good quality rams.”

A Texel from Gwilym and Nerys Williams sold for 22,000 guineas. It was the family’s first visit and Caron Firefly was one of five shearlings sold by Hexham & Northern Marts. It sold to Messrs Hodge, Scottish Borders.

The family, including Jenna, Lowri and Cennydd, run 80 pedigree Texel ewes and 20 Beltex under the Caron prefix near Lampeter. Their consignment won Best Pen at the pre sale show. They achieved 32,000 guineas at Worcester two years ago with a ram from the same sire, Tullaghan Commander.

Gwilym said: “We’re quite ecstatic, and honoured to have been invited to sell here. The ram has style and was the best Texel shearling in the Royal Welsh this year.”

A Bluefaced Leicester shearling from Sophie Harding’s Shrewbridge flock took breed champion and topped the breed sale at 3,000 guineas. It sold to Matthew Seed. He was delighted with the ‘super sharp quality ram’ and admires the breeding, saying Sophie’s females had been winning all season.

It was one of nine rams she brought. She also had first prize gimmer. The equine vet’s Shrewridge flock of 17 breeding ewes is based at Nantwich, Chester. Another Bluefaced Leicester, a ram lamb, from McClymont & Son, Selkirk, also sold for 3,000 guineas. It went to JT Fleming & Son.

A Suffolk shearling from Gareth Jones of Roblestone Hall, Camrose, Haverfordwest, sold for 4,600 guineas. It went to J T Fleming & Son, Hawick. Suffolk breeders were generally delighted with the day’s trading, with a Devon vendor saying buyers were ‘going back to basics’.

Breeders who had travelled long distances were very happy with the day’s trading. Bruce Ingram who had brought a consignment of his Logie Durno flock took the cross bred champion and said the trade had been busy and the best he’d had all year. His Blue Texel sold for 2,400 guineas.

A Lleyn from G&A Fort, West Yorkshire, sold for 1,400 guineas to R V Jones, Wrexham, and the highest priced North Country Cheviot went for 1800 guineas, from Coburn & Partners, Peebleshire, to J&A Pate, Midlothian.

The highest priced South Country Cheviot went for 1600 guineas, sold by Douglas & Son, Roxburghshire, to D R Price, Llangadog.