Brian Dickson, Islandmoyle flock takes top price with his Show Champion ram lamb.
Date: 19th July 2025
Sponsor: Danske Bank
Auctioneer: JA McClelland and Sons Ltd.
Hailed a resounding success the format of the sale worked well with no less than 12 lots seeing five figure returns for their efforts to a top price of 42,000Gns for Brian Dickson’s Islandmoyle flock and making 2025 a year to remember for him.
With the sheep all in and inspected by 7.00pm on Friday 18th July, the festivities opened up and some 150 breeders’ family and friends attended the pre-show and sale meal. A buzz was in Ballymena mart from the outset and as a prelim to the show and sale three young handler’s classes Under 8, Under 14s and Under 18s was scheduled and what a show the youngsters put on! Judged by Alastair Barkley, nominated judge for the Show of sheep with all classes held on the Saturday morning before the sale.
The lines were busy with folk from the get-go at 9.00am when the show got underway and the classes were worked through as scheduled.
The Overall Show Champion sheep was eventually tapped out by the judge and the honours this year went to lot number 159 belonging to Brian Dickson (Islandmoyle) from County Down. His ram lamb PJF:25:01288 born 4th January 2025 was a naturally served single lamb out of a home bred ewe PJF:22:00916 and sired by Birness the Gladiator. He took the eye of the judge in Class 6, the Open Ram Lamb Class, going on to become Male Champion and following that up with Overall Champion of the 2025 NI Branch Sale.
The busy ringside saw several breeders vying for the ram when it came and a fierce bidding war ensued with the gavel finally going down at 42,000gns and it heading to a new postcode with Dennis Taylor’s Ballynacannon flock.
Reserve Overall Champion followed the Champion all the way through being 2nd in the Open Lamb Class earlier that morning and heading the very close-run field in the championship line up. Lot 40 from Mark Priestley taking the Reserve Champion rosette. This single ET lamb KPC:25:02912 born 6th January 2025 was sired by Cairnton Chaos from a homebred ewe KPC:20:01381. The ram lamb is a maternal brother to the 6300gns Limestone Bugatti and the dam has bred daughters to 8000ns is heading across to England to join Paul Delves at Bridgeview. He went on to sell for 11,000gns as part of the Limestone pen of 6 consigned with an average of 9,750gns across the whole pen.
Female Champion was Lot 1 from the well renowned breeders RC & JC Watson (Bannview), their single ET lamb 8B:25:0310 was sired by Noan Commodore G4:24:00153 from a home bred dam 8B:24:00153. The lamb is a full sister to the Watson’s show ewe lambs this year. She went on to sell through the ring for 750gns heading down to the South of Ireland with J Brilly from Naas, County Kildare.
Reserve Female Champion rosette was bestowed on Lot 15, a shearling ewe consigned by Patrick McVerry (Tullywinney). This single ET lamb PDH:24: 00902 sired by Triple K Topgun KKK:23:00442 has Sitlow and Duncan’s flock in its background pedigree. The ewe is from a great breeding line, a modern type with style and a serious carcass her full brother sold to 1100gns in 2024 and the dam’s full brother met 1700gns. Staying in Northern Ireland the ewe heads off to JT Fosters flock in Castlederg, County Tyrone at 2600gns.
Top 15 Ram lamb prices
| Vendor | Lot No | Price gns | Purchased By |
| B Dickson – Islandmoyle | 159 | 42,000 | D Taylor, Ballynacannon |
| M Priestley – Limestone | 39 | 24,000 | B Dickson, Islandmoyle |
| P Mc Verry -Tullywinney | 107 | 20,000 | J Alexander, Jalex livestock |
| A Wilson – Shannagh | 207 | 20,000 | M Priestley, Limestone & D Ford, Mullaghboy |
| Jack Smyth – Bessiebell | 33 | 15,000 | J Robson & J Smyth, Bessiebell |
| James Mc Cullough – Claragh | 120 | 15,000 | L&M Liggett, Carony |
| A Gault – Forkins | 132 | 15,000 | P Lynch, Glyde |
| JW Trimble – Curleyhill | 84 | 12,000 | JC Innes & Sons, Strathbogie |
| JW Trimble – Curleyhill | 85 | 12,000 | A Breen, Drumderg |
| M Priestley – Limestone | 38 | 11,000 | Andrew Wilson, Shannagh |
| M Priestley – Limestone | 40 | 11,000 | Paul Delves, Bridgeview |
| P Grant – Craigdoo | 190 | 10,500 | M&C McNally, Benedyglen |
| P J Kennedy – Cavanagrove | 209 | 9,000 | Cherryvalley |
| J Doherty – Malinhead | 83 | 8,500 | L&M Liggett, Carony |
| Jack Smyth – Bessiebell | 35 | 6,500 | C McLaughlin |
For 147 ram lambs forward with a clearance rate of 86% the sale average for 2025 Ram lambs was £3108.00
Ewe Lambs
Being first up at the sale following the show ending at 12.30 time was of the essence for buyers to grab a bite to eat and the ewe lambs forward didn’t meet a great deal of demand. As the buyers gathered, three sold to a top call of 1,100gns that being consigned by Sean & Jane McCloskey for a single ET by Strathbogie Kind Of Magic from a bought in ewe from Burnview T86:18:01253 who was also the mother of the 2023 Premier Female Champion.
Shearling Ewes
Bit more demand as buyers gathered for the ram sales 80 % clearance rate with a top twice of 2600gns Sean and Jane McCloskey, Glenroe again in the frame for their female stock. Lot 13, sired by Crewlands Dancing Brave from a home bred female and Lot 15 for Paddy McVerry for his Triple K Topgun sired shearling ewe as explained above.
Shearling Rams
With just one forward this year Alistair Gault realised 1000Gns for his Rempstone Rassie sired shearling staying in Northern Ireland and being scooped up by John Campbell from County Londonderry.
Thank you to our lead sponsors Danske Bank. Strabane Mills, Co. Tyrone who sponsored meal for 1st prize winners in each of our classes. Advertisers – Erin Farm Feeds, OMC Engineering Fabrication Services, Donbraid Livestock Services, The Sheep Vet, NFU Mutual, AB Europe, United Feeds, Clean It Car Care, Wilsons of Rathkenny, & Redmills AgriFeeds we appreciate your continued support.
A word of thanks to our Judge Alastair Barkley of the Blackbrae Flock, Callum Patterson and all the staff of Ballymena Livestock Mart, Fraser Tweed Veterinary Inspector, Joe Stewart, John Hegarty Steward; Alfie & Kathryn Shaw Agriimages Jordan Toye who looked after our Live Stream and everyone who made the show & sale a success. This year’s show was judged by Alastair Barkley (Blackbrae Flock)
PORTRAITS
SHOW RESULTS
Judge: Alastair Barkley, Blackbrae flock
Class 1 Ewe Lamb
1st Lot 1 RC & JC Watson, Bannview 8B:25:03010 by Noan Commodore
2nd Lot 7 S & J McCloskey, Glenroe WFF:25:00891 by Strathbogie A Kind of Magic
3rd Lot 2 N Rickey, Lisnaknock XTL:25:02124 by Bessiebell Phantom
4th Lot 3 K Johnston, Rossbrook XFL:25:00839 by Ballynacannon Bentley
5th Lot 4 K Johnston, Rossbrook XFL:25:00844 by Ballynacannon Bentley
6th Lot 6 A&C Moon & C Bloomfield, Drumimerick XWZ:25:00104 by Lisnaknock Fury
Class 2 Shearling Ewe
1st Lot 15 P McVerry, Tullywinney PDH:24:00902 by TripleK Topgun
2nd Lot 13 S & J McCloskey, Glenroe WFF:24:00818 by Crewelands Dancing Brave
3rd Lot 14 RC & JC Watson, Bannview 8B:24:02827 by Limepark Destroyer
4th Lot 17 P Grant, Craigdoo PNZ:24:01223 by Crewelands Quickfire
5th Lot 11 J & A Moses, Blackstown UJL:24:01424 by Noan Braveheart
6th Lot 18 P Kennedy, Cavanagrove NLP:24:00767 by Limestone Marksman
Class 3 Shearling Ram
1st Lot 21 A Gault, Forkins AOR:24:03983
2nd Lot 22 P Grant, Cavanagrove NLP:24:00774 by Salopian Gold Sovereign
Class 4 Commercial Gigot Ram Lamb
1st Lot 84 J Trimble, Cherrylea ZXA:25:01520 by Ballynacannon Coldplay
2nd Lot 34 J Smyth, Bessiebell WKW:25:01648 by Bessiebell Bonny Boy
3rd Lot 29 J McKay, Kirkview NDX:25:00580 Cairnton Chaos
4th Lot 114 D Taylor, Ballynacannon KKW:25:02558 by Tullywinney Hurricane
5th Lot 140 M & E Butler, Castlewood 1LSB:25:00441 by Annakisha Bright Eye
6th Lot 197 RC & JC Watson, Bannview 8B:25:03009 by Noan Commodore
Class 5 Novice Ram Lamb
1st Lot 207 A Wilson, Castleisle DDX:25:01456 by Salopian Solid Gold
2nd Lot 223 S & J Boyd, GB25:25:00417 by Oakbridge Opportunity
3rd Lot 87 J & A Moses, Blackstown UJL:25:01615 by Tullywinney Hurricane
4th Lot 120 J McCullough, Claragh UCH:25:00251 by Kells T-Rex
5th Lot 31 N Fleming, Carnbeg WHH:25:00060 by Clyda Cillian’s Oscar
6th Lot 85 J Trimble, Cherrylea ZXA:25:01520 by Ballynacannon Coldplay
Class 6 Open Ram Lamb
1st Lot 159 B Dickson, Islandmoyle PJF:25:01288 by Birness the Gladiator
2nd Lot 40 M Priestley, Limestone KPC:25:02912 by Cairnton Chaos
3rd Lot 209 P Kennedy, Cavanagrove NLP:25:00828 by Ballynacannon Bentley
4th Lot 132 A Gault, Forkins AOR:25:04345 by Annakisha Bright Eye
5th Lot 95 D Duncan, Duncan’s TDT:25:00530 by Clyda Cillian’s Oscar
6th Lot 55 L & M Liggett, Carony DBB:25:01835 by Carony Explosion
Class 7 Pen of 3 Ram Lambs
1st M Priestley, Limestone
Lot 38 KPC:25:02923 by Cairnton Chaos
Lot 39 KPC:25:02924 by Benedyglen Masterpiece
Lot 42 KPC:25:02898 by Cairnton Chaos
2nd L & M Liggett, Carony
Lot 56 DBB:25:01811 by Carony Explosion
Lot 57 DBB:25:01824 by Carony Explosion
Lot 58 DBB:25:01827 by Carony Explosion
3rd B Dickson, Islandmoyle
Lot 160 PJF:25:01258 by Crewelands Quickfire
Lot 161 PJF:25:01260 by Birness The Gladiator
Lot 162 PJF:25:01268 by Birness The Gladiator
4th J & A Moses, Blackstown
Lot 87 UJL:25:01615 by Tullywinney Hurricane
Lot 89 UJL:25:01631 by Tullywinney Hurricane
Lot 90 UJL:25:01636 by Tullywinney Hurricane
5th D Taylor, Ballynacannon
Lot 113 KKW:25:02541 by Cairness Eye Catcher
Lot 115 KKW:25:02560 by Cairness Eye Catcher
Lot 119 KKW:25:02530 by Limestone Springbok
6th P Gurney, Oakbridge
Lot 24 FSC:225:00689 by Limestone Dare Devil
Lot 25 FSC:225:00682 by Limestone Dare Devil
Lot 27 FSC:225:00698 by Limestone Dare Devil
CHAMPIONSHIPS
Female Champion – Lot 1 RC & JC Watson, Bannview
8B:25:03010 by Noan Commodore
Reserve Female Champion – Lot 15 P McVerry, Tullywinney
PDH:24:00902 by TripleK Topgun
Male Champion – Lot 159 Brian Dickson, Islandmoyle
PJF:25:01288 by Birness the Gladiator
Reserve Male Champion – Lot 40 Mark Priestley, Limestone
KPC:25:02912 by Cairnton Chaos
Supreme Champion – Lot 159 Brian Dickson, Islandmoyle
PJF:25:01288 by Birness the Gladiator
Reserve Champion – Lot 40 Mark Priestley, Limestone
KPC:25:02912 by Cairnton Chaos
NEXTGEN YOUNG HANDLERS
Under 10
1st Jack Watson
2nd Arthur Johnston
3rd Fiontan McNally
4th Archie Watson
5th Lewis Kennedy
6th Eoghan Grant
Under 14
1st Lara Taylor
2nd Millie Donald
3rd Olivia Johnston
4th Katie Watson
5th Sarah McVerry
6th Ruben McNeilly
Under 18
1st Isabella Taylor
2nd Caolan McNally
3rd Noah Taylor
4th Alex Moon
5th Sophia Bingham
6th Noah Montgomery
7th Eric Thompson
YOUNG HANDLERS GALLERY Images available to purchase from AgriImages here
RINGSIDE GALLERY Images available to purchase from AgriImages here
