Ballymena Livestock Mart recently hosted the Dutch Spotted Export Sale for the first time.

The sale was a great success, seeing a fast-paced sale that resulted in an overall average of £1,066 (€1,229) being achieved and a top price of 15,000gns (€18,158) being hit.

This sale topper was Derg Idol, a super March-born ram lamb from the well-known Derg flock of Allen Shortt and Samantha Allen. Idol is a grandson of the 10,000gns Ballintur Geronimo and his dam was the highly admired 5,000gns Greenfield Goldie.

ADVERTISEMENT

This sale-topping lamb was purchased by the syndicate of Dwayne Shiels, Janine Porter, Stuart Henderson, and Janet Carson while the Derg flock also retained a share.

The Castlederg duo also went on and topped the female consignment with a cracking shearling ewe named Derg Halo. Halo was a full sister to Derg Hercules that was sold for 10,000gns in 2024.

It was Stuart Henderson that placed the winning bid of 6,000gns (€7,265) on this magnificent shearling ewe.

It was the Craigdoo flock of Paddy and Orla Grant that dominated the pre-sale show, picking up both overall champion and overall reserve champion. Overall champion was awarded to Craigdoo Hottie, a stylish shearling ewe.

Hottie also came with a super pedigree being a daughter of Merryboro Grafter and her dam being the highly admired Craigdoo Foxy, the 2023 Balmoral Show reserve champion.

It was Henry Jewitt that placed the winning bid of 4,500gns (€5,450) on the show champion.

Reserve champion went to Craigdoo Influencer a special ram lamb that then sold for 5,000gns (€6,055) to John and Finn Harbinson.

Influencer was a direct son of Foxy and his sire was Hotspur Hitman, making him a full brother to the £7,000 Craigdoo Invincible.

The shearling ram trade was topped at 4,500gns (€5,450) by Artnagullion Halfwit from Sophie McAllister.

Halfwit was a full brother to the 13,500gns Artnagullion Half Pint and he was purchased by UK breeder Derek Steen.