Huge crowds gathered at Blessington Mart recently for the annual All-star Texel Ewe Sale, where 70 in-lamb shearling ewes and 10 ewe lambs achieved an almost full clearance.

In-lamb shearling ewes led the trade and it was entries from A and P O’Keeffe of the Annakisha Flock in Co Cork which achieved the three highest prices on the day. Prices peaked at 3,800gns for the O’Keeffe’s shearling ewe carrying twins by Midlock Dapper which sold to Adam Heffernan.

A five-star daughter of Garngour Flyhalf, she is a full sister of the supreme champion at this year’s National Texel Championships and a sister to the reserve female champion at this year’s Growvite Texel All-Ireland finals.

ADVERTISEMENT

The O’Keeffe’s second-highest priced shearling ewe at 3,500gns was purchased by Peader Gallagher. Another daughter of Garngour Flyhalf, she sold scanned carrying twins in-lamb to Knockhill Influencer.

Adam Heffernan secured the Annakisha Flocks third-highest priced shearling ewe at 3,000gns. A full sister to the sale topper, this five-star ewe sold carrying twins to Midlock Dapper.

Silverhill Flock

Two shearling ewes from A and N Myles of the Silverhill Flock in Co Donegal both sold at 2,800gns.

Daughters of Annaghdown Goldfinger, senior sire of the year 2025, they both sold carrying singles by Annakisha Iggy Pop who was purchased this year at the Blessington Premier for 12,000gns.

Anthony Donnelly of Donnelly’s Flock in Co Mayo traded a January 25-born daughter of Auldhouseburn Fancy Pants out of a Sportsmans Cannonball ewe at 2,700gns, selling to Niall Brennan.

She was followed by another ewe lamb from Donnelly’s at 2,500gns selling to J and N Kidd.

Born in March 2025, she is a daughter of Coniston Equinox and out of the very successful breeding ewe Oberstown Gucci who has produced many high prices at the Blessington Premier Sale over the last two years, including the 20,000gns reserve champion at this year’s Premier.

Overall there was great interest from new breeders starting off on their Texel breeding journey, as well as established Flocks topping up on new bloodlines.