Featuring an outstanding selection of Shearling ewes and ewe lambs, the fourth annual Western Stars Suffolk Sheep Sale took place at Athenry Mart on Friday 31 October, drawing unprecedented interest from breeders and buyers across the country.
Such interest and demand once again demonstrated the growing reputation of the event for offering elite Suffolk genetics.
With stock in lamb to some of the most sought-after service sires in the breed, including the 2024 sire of the year Kells T-Rex and the 2025 Irish Premier Champion Castleisle Dancing Brave, competition in the ring was lively from the outset. Other high-profile sires represented included bloodlines from the Forkins, Craigdoo, Errigal, Malinhead, Limestone and Clyda flocks.
Bidding opened briskly, with the first of the evening’s top ten prices going to the Loughrynn Flock for a Malinhead Al Capone-sired gimmer carrying a single to Limestone Double Diamond, which realised €1,900. Also among the early highlights was another Malinhead Al Capone gimmer from the Lismurtagh Flock, scanned with twins to Limestone Double Diamond and sold to Michael Cunniffe for €1,450.
Western flock
Topping the trade at €3,000 was a striking Howgillfoot Sniper-sired Shearling ewe out of a Castleisle dam, presented by Michael Hastings’ Western Flock. Scanned in lamb with twins to Castleisle Dancing Brave, she was purchased by Eamonn Duffy of Kells Suffolks after some spirited bidding.
The Western Flock continued its successful evening with further strong prices. First up was a Limestone Bugatti-sired Shearling, a full sister to the first-prize Shearling Ewe winner at the 2025 Premier Show in Blessington. She sold for €2,700 to Paul Morris’s Coolarne Flock. Another full embryo sister followed at €2,200, purchased by James Cuffe’s Inbhear Flock. Additional Western entries sold to B and B Suffolks and Padraig Varley for €1,350 and €2,000 respectively.
Other notable Shearling sales included €1,940 for a Carragh Timeless-sired ewe from John Oakman’s Lisakillen Flock, carrying twins to Craigdoo Dazzler.
This was followed by €1,700 for a Kells Blast-sired gimmer from the Coolarne Flock scanned in lamb to Errigal Commander which sold to the Trien flock, and €1,450 for a Tolgus Top Gun-sired ewe from Joe and Kieran Connaughton’s Rosco Flock, carrying twins to Limestone Draper which sold to the Lisakillen Flock.
Highest priced Ewe Lamb which sold for €3,000 shown by Noel Murray of the Cornboy Flock with Declan Mangan of the Grottoview Flock.
Sale average
Overall, the sale recorded an impressive 95% clearance among Shearlings, with an average price of €1,258 being achieved.
Ewe lambs also met a lively trade with a joint top price of €3,000 achieved for a standout entry from James and Noel Murray’s Cornboy Flock. This exceptional lamb sired by Malinhead Al Capone and out of a Roselodge ewe tracing back to Lakeview Bob drew intense bidding before finally being secured by Declan Mangan for his Grottoview Flock, keeping her west of the Shannon.
A stylish ewe lamb from Paul Morris’s Coolarne Flock sired by Errigal Commander achieved the second-highest ewe lamb price of €1,600, also remaining in the west after being purchased by Enda and Teresa McGeever for their John-Tess Flock.
Other notable prices included €1,150 and €1,100 for two well-bred ewe lambs from Mattie and Kevin Kelly’s Summerhill Flock. A special mention must also be given to young Suffolk Breeder Daniel Grady of the Demesne Flock, who impressed with two quality ewe lambs selling for €1,050 and €1,000 respectively.
Ewe lambs achieved an excellent 95% clearance rate, reflecting the continued demand for strong, performance-proven Suffolk genetics.
After the sale a spokesperson for the club said; “Overall, sale averages and top prices exceeded those of 2024, underlining the sustained investment and dedication of Western Stars Breeders Club. The event once again showcased the progress being made in breeding for both quality and performance, reinforcing the sale’s growing reputation as a highlight of the Suffolk breeding calendar.
“The Western Stars Sale Committee extend its gratitude to Athenry Mart, as well as to all buyers and underbidders for their continued support. The strong turnout and record-breaking prices made the 2025 sale another outstanding success, with a particularly encouraging level of participation from youth members, a positive sign for the future of Suffolk breeding in the west.”
Featuring an outstanding selection of Shearling ewes and ewe lambs, the fourth annual Western Stars Suffolk Sheep Sale took place at Athenry Mart on Friday 31 October, drawing unprecedented interest from breeders and buyers across the country.
Such interest and demand once again demonstrated the growing reputation of the event for offering elite Suffolk genetics.
With stock in lamb to some of the most sought-after service sires in the breed, including the 2024 sire of the year Kells T-Rex and the 2025 Irish Premier Champion Castleisle Dancing Brave, competition in the ring was lively from the outset. Other high-profile sires represented included bloodlines from the Forkins, Craigdoo, Errigal, Malinhead, Limestone and Clyda flocks.
Bidding opened briskly, with the first of the evening’s top ten prices going to the Loughrynn Flock for a Malinhead Al Capone-sired gimmer carrying a single to Limestone Double Diamond, which realised €1,900. Also among the early highlights was another Malinhead Al Capone gimmer from the Lismurtagh Flock, scanned with twins to Limestone Double Diamond and sold to Michael Cunniffe for €1,450.
Western flock
Topping the trade at €3,000 was a striking Howgillfoot Sniper-sired Shearling ewe out of a Castleisle dam, presented by Michael Hastings’ Western Flock. Scanned in lamb with twins to Castleisle Dancing Brave, she was purchased by Eamonn Duffy of Kells Suffolks after some spirited bidding.
The Western Flock continued its successful evening with further strong prices. First up was a Limestone Bugatti-sired Shearling, a full sister to the first-prize Shearling Ewe winner at the 2025 Premier Show in Blessington. She sold for €2,700 to Paul Morris’s Coolarne Flock. Another full embryo sister followed at €2,200, purchased by James Cuffe’s Inbhear Flock. Additional Western entries sold to B and B Suffolks and Padraig Varley for €1,350 and €2,000 respectively.
Other notable Shearling sales included €1,940 for a Carragh Timeless-sired ewe from John Oakman’s Lisakillen Flock, carrying twins to Craigdoo Dazzler.
This was followed by €1,700 for a Kells Blast-sired gimmer from the Coolarne Flock scanned in lamb to Errigal Commander which sold to the Trien flock, and €1,450 for a Tolgus Top Gun-sired ewe from Joe and Kieran Connaughton’s Rosco Flock, carrying twins to Limestone Draper which sold to the Lisakillen Flock.
Highest priced Ewe Lamb which sold for €3,000 shown by Noel Murray of the Cornboy Flock with Declan Mangan of the Grottoview Flock.
Sale average
Overall, the sale recorded an impressive 95% clearance among Shearlings, with an average price of €1,258 being achieved.
Ewe lambs also met a lively trade with a joint top price of €3,000 achieved for a standout entry from James and Noel Murray’s Cornboy Flock. This exceptional lamb sired by Malinhead Al Capone and out of a Roselodge ewe tracing back to Lakeview Bob drew intense bidding before finally being secured by Declan Mangan for his Grottoview Flock, keeping her west of the Shannon.
A stylish ewe lamb from Paul Morris’s Coolarne Flock sired by Errigal Commander achieved the second-highest ewe lamb price of €1,600, also remaining in the west after being purchased by Enda and Teresa McGeever for their John-Tess Flock.
Other notable prices included €1,150 and €1,100 for two well-bred ewe lambs from Mattie and Kevin Kelly’s Summerhill Flock. A special mention must also be given to young Suffolk Breeder Daniel Grady of the Demesne Flock, who impressed with two quality ewe lambs selling for €1,050 and €1,000 respectively.
Ewe lambs achieved an excellent 95% clearance rate, reflecting the continued demand for strong, performance-proven Suffolk genetics.
After the sale a spokesperson for the club said; “Overall, sale averages and top prices exceeded those of 2024, underlining the sustained investment and dedication of Western Stars Breeders Club. The event once again showcased the progress being made in breeding for both quality and performance, reinforcing the sale’s growing reputation as a highlight of the Suffolk breeding calendar.
“The Western Stars Sale Committee extend its gratitude to Athenry Mart, as well as to all buyers and underbidders for their continued support. The strong turnout and record-breaking prices made the 2025 sale another outstanding success, with a particularly encouraging level of participation from youth members, a positive sign for the future of Suffolk breeding in the west.”
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