Standing Room Only at Ballymena for the NI Premier Export Show and Sale
Date: 18th July 2026
Sponsor: Danske Bank
Auctioneer: JA McClelland and Sons Ltd.
The 2026 NI Premier Export Show and Sale at Ballymena Livestock Market attracted a standing-room-only crowd, with breeders, commercial producers and buyers from across the UK and overseas gathering to take advantage of the sale’s export status.
The strong attendance reflected the upsurge of the Suffolk breed in both the pedigree and commercial sheep sectors.
Expert Judging from Mike Black
Mike Black of the Collessie flock, Fife, Scotland, was entrusted with judging the 2026 pre-sale show at Ballymena Livestock Market. He approached the task with diligence, working methodically through a series of exceptionally strong classes to identify this year’s winners.
Female Champion – Bannview
The first class of the day saw Campbell and Jason Watson claim top honours in the Ewe Lamb Class with Lot 1, Bannview 8B:26:03246.
The twin ewe lamb was sired naturally by Ballynacannon Captain Morgan, purchased at the Ballymena Premier Sale in 2025 for 3,600gns, and was bred from the home-bred ewe 8B:22:02436.
Following her class victory, she went on to secure the title of Female Champion 2026. Selling as the first sheep through the ring, she realised 1,000gns before being exported to the Republic of Ireland, where she joins Edward Buckley’s flock in Kilbarry, County Cork.
Shearling Ram Champion
With only two entries in the Shearling Ram Class, first prize was awarded to Martin and Eoin Butler for Lot 11, Castlewood LSB:25:00452.
The ram is a son of Cairnton Chaos, one of a triplet born by AI, and had enjoyed an outstanding show season, winning five red rosettes from five appearances. As a ram lamb, he also stood fourth in his class at the Balmoral Show in 2025.
He sold for 1,500gns to Andrew Keys of Fintona, County Tyrone.
Commercial Gigot Lamb Class
An impressive entry of 30 Commercial Gigot Lambs made this one of the strongest classes of the day and presented judge Mike Black with a challenging task.
Taking first place was Lot 181 from John Trimble’s Cherrylea flock.
The single ET lamb, ZXA:26:01711, was sired by Ballynacannon Coldplay from the Forkins ewe AOR:22:03351. He is a full brother to the 12,000gns “Dark Destroyer”, sold at the 2025 Premier Sale, while his granddam, Forkins AOR:15:01430, also bred the 26,000gns Forkins McCoy and produced a ewe lamb which sold for 17,000gns.
The winning lamb sold for 1,500gns to DS and Darren McKay’s Rowandale flock, Rathkenny, Ballymena.
Novice Ram Lamb Class Produces the Overall Champion
The Novice Ram Lamb Class is reserved for breeders who have never previously won the class, making it one of the most eagerly anticipated competitions of the day. Victory also earns qualification to compete in the Open Ram Lamb Class the following year.
This year’s winner was Patrick Grant of the Craigdoo flock with Lot 32.
The outstanding single ET lamb was sired by Limestone Juggernaut from the home-bred ewe PNZ:22:00826, a daughter of Blackbrae Humdinger. The ewe has already produced Craigdoo Crusader, sire of the Novice Champion at Blessington.
After winning the Novice Ram Lamb Class, Lot 32 progressed to become Male Champion before being crowned Overall Champion 2026.
This champion later topped the sale at 55,000gns, selling to J Innes, Strathbogie flock in Scotland.
Ram Lamb Class
Winning the Ram Lamb Class at the NI Premier Export Sale remains one of the greatest accolades for any Suffolk breeder.
This year’s winner was Lot 208 from Dennis Taylor’s Ballynacannon flock, Coleraine.
Ballynacannon KKW:26:02844 is a single ET lamb by the Northern Ireland-bred Islandmoyle Sparticus, out of the Convoy dam PWW:21:00223, which also produced Ballynacannon Rolls Royce, sold previously for 6,000gns.
Earlier in the season, the lamb had stood Reserve Male Champion at the Northern Ireland National Show in Armagh.
Following victory in the Ram Lamb Class, he progressed to become Reserve Male Champion and ultimately Reserve Overall Champion.
Selling late in the day, he realised 14,000gns, joining Robin McAdoo’s Threeways Flock in Cookstown.
AgriImages Ram Lamb Masterclass
New for 2026 was the AgriImages Masterclass, open to flocks established for more than 25 years, giving experienced breeders the opportunity to revisit their showing skills.
The winner was one of the best in the show ring, Mark Priestley of the Limestone flock, with Lot 57.
The single ET lamb, KPC:26:03314, was sired by the renowned Limestone King of Diamonds, in which a share was retained when he sold privately for 40,000gns. It is shared with James Wallace, Claycrop Flock and Stewart Lathangie, Pyeston Flock.
King of Diamonds has already made a significant impact, siring both the Champion and Reserve Champion at Lanark, along with leading price lambs. The dam was Interbreed Champion at Balmoral in 2024 and has bred sons to 5,500gns, while her daughters include the 2026 Balmoral Reserve Champion Suffolk.
Lot 57 went on to become the second-highest priced sheep of the day, selling for 50,000gns to the Howgillfoot flock, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria.
The victory also qualifies Mark Priestley for the AgriImages People’s Choice Final alongside John Gibb, winner at Lanark and the class winner at National Show and Sale.
Groups of Three
The Groups of Three competition allows consignors to demonstrate consistency throughout their breeding.
Patrick Grant once again impressed the judge, taking first place with Lots 33, 35 and 38, an exceptionally well-matched trio.
Lots 33 and 35 were embryo brothers by Limestone Juggernaut, while Lot 38 was sired by Shannagh Boss Man.
Lot 33 is an embryo brother to the National Champion Ram Lamb, while Lot 35 is an embryo brother to the Balmoral lamb that sold to Cannonhallbrown for £12,500.
Limestone Juggernaut was jointly purchased for 24,000gns and was crowned Northern Ireland National Champion in 2025. Shannagh Boss Man was Reserve Overall Champion at the Ballymena Sale in 2024.
Top Prices at the 2026 NI Premier Export Sale
The sale produced an outstanding run of five-figure prices:
| Lot | Vendor / Flock | Price | Purchaser |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | P Grant (Craigdoo) | 55,000gns | J Innes (Strathbogie) |
| 57 | M Priestley (Limestone) | 50,000gns | R Hutchinson (Howgillfoot) |
| 58 | M Priestley (Limestone) | 26,000gns | A Barkley (Blackbrae) |
| 59 | M Priestley (Limestone) | 26,000gns | D Taylor (Ballynacannon) |
| 93 | J Smyth (Bessiebell) | 22,000gns | A Short (Derg) |
| 95 | J Smyth (Bessiebell) | 18,000gns | J Elliott (Rawburn) |
| 53 | D Duncan (Duncans) | 15,000gns | M Priestley (Limestone) |
| 208 | DTaylor (Ballynacannon) | 14,000gns | R McAdoo (Threeways) |
| 122 | J&A Moses (Blackstown) | 11,000gns | J McKay (Kirkview) & M & E Butler (Castlewood) |
| 62 | M Priestley (Limestone) | 10,000gns | L & M Liggett (Carony) |
| 94 | J Smyth (Bessiebell) | 10,000gns | S & O Quigg (Gortmore) |
Highest-Priced Pen of Three
Mark Priestley of the Limestone flock secured the highest-priced pen of three with Lots 57, 58 and 59.
The trio realised a combined 102,000gns, averaging 34,000gns per head, with all three lambs sired by Limestone King of Diamonds.
Sale Average
The 2026 NI Premier Export Show and Sale concluded with strong trade throughout.
A total of 147 sheep were sold, achieving an average price of £3,803.39 per head, with a 77% clearance rate.
Ewe Lamb
1st: Lot 1 – RC & JC Watson 8B:26:03246
2nd: Lot 4 – Neville Rickey XTL:26:02180
3rd: Lot 2 – RC & JC Watson 8B:26:03230
4th: Lot 8 – Gregory Birney ZLC:26:00100
Shearling Ram
1st: Lot 11 – Martin & Eoin Butler 1LSB:25:00452
2nd: Lot 10 – Phillip Gurney FSC:25:00689
Commercial Ram
1st: Lot 181 – John Trimble ZXA:26:01711
2nd: Lot 178 – Ben Lamb WJA:26:02445
3rd: Lot 120 – W & J Campbell SZX:26:01272
4th: Lot 143 – A R Gault AOR:26:04633
5th: Lot 39 – Arthur O’Keefe R15:26:07450
6th: Lot 119 – Andrew Wilson DDX:26:01517
Novice Ram Lamb
1st: Lot 32 – Patrick Grant PNZ:26:01717
2nd: Lot 53 – David Duncan TDT:26:00593
3rd: Lot 168 – Isabella, Lara & Noah Taylor fz25:26:03017
4th: Lot 122 – Jack & Andrew Moses UJL:26:02142
5th: Lot 19 – Sean Doyle & Sons TJX:26:02117
6th: Lot 71 – Alistair Breen DB24:26:01327
Ram Lamb
1st: Lot 208 – Dennis Taylor KKW:26:02844
2nd: Lot 183 – Andrew McNeilly HDY:26:00932
3rd: Lot 139 – A R Gault AOR:26:04626
4th: Lot 41 – Arthur O’Keefe R15:26:07463
5th: Lot 103 – Ian Donald KSX:26:01273
6th: Lot 118 – Andrew WilsonDDX:26:01515
AgriImages Masters Class
1st: Lot 57 – Mark Priestley KPC:26:03314
2nd: Lot 140 – A R Gault AOR:26:04636
3rd: Lot 185 – Andrew McNeilly HDY:26:00949
4th: Lot 87 – Phillip Gurney FSC:26:00740
5th: Lot 111 – RC & JC Watson 8B:26:03209
6th: Lot 162 – L & M Liggett DBB:26:02007
Group of Three
1st: Lots 33, 35 & 38 – Patrick Grant
2nd: Lots 58, 59 & 60 – Mark Priestley
3rd: Lots 142, 144 & 146 – A R Gault
4th: Lots 25, 28 & 31 – Brian Dickson
5th: Lots 210, 211 & 212 – Dennis Taylor
6th: Lots 123, 124 & 126 – Andrew Moses
Championship Results
Female Champion: Lot 1 – RC & JC Watson 8B:26:03246
Female Reserve Champion: Lot 4 – Neville Rickey XTL:26:02180
Male Champion: Lot 32 – Patrick Grant PNZ:26:01717
Male Reserve Champion: Lot 208 – Dennis Taylor KKW:26:02844
Supreme Champion: Lot 32 – Patrick Grant PNZ:26:01717
Supreme Reserve Champion: Lot 208 – Dennis Taylor KKW:26:02844
NextGen Young Handlers Competition
The annual NI Premier Show & Sale began on Friday evening with the popular NextGen Young Handlers Competition, where young exhibitors demonstrated their stockmanship, ringcraft and sheep-handling skills before judge Mike Black of the Collessie flock in Scotland.
The competition was followed by the traditional social evening and hog roast, attended by around 150 breeders and supporters, providing an excellent opportunity for Suffolk enthusiasts to catch up ahead of the Premier Sale.
The standard of presentation from Northern Ireland’s young breeders was exceptional, with plenty of wee boots and white coats entering the ring. The NextGen competition continues to showcase the future of the Suffolk breed, ensuring traditional skills and showmanship are passed from one generation to the next.
Young Handlers – Under 10s
1st: Lewis Kennedy
2nd: Jack Watson
3rd: Arthur Johnston
4th: Eoghan Grant
5th: Archie Watson
Young Handlers – Under 14s
1st: Lara Taylor
2nd: Riley Gurney
3rd: Ruben McNeilly
4th: Eli Dalton
5th: Sarah McVerry
6th: Celina Faye
7th: Zara Rickey
8th: Millie Donald
Young Handlers – Under 18s
1st: Isabella Taylor
2nd: Olivia Johnston
3rd: Noah Montgomery
4th: Alex Moon
5th: Noah Taylor
RINGSIDE GALLERY Images available to purchase from AgriImages here
