Limestone King of Diamonds has been named Sire of the Year 2026, marking another outstanding achievement for Mark Priestley’s Limestone flock.
In what may be a first in the history of the competition, the same flock has also produced the Reserve Sire of the Year 2026, with Limestone Juggernaut taking the runner-up position.
This remarkable double success is a testament to Mark Priestley’s breeding, showing and selling skills, developed over many years at the Limestone flock.
Limestone King of Diamonds – Sire of the Year 2026
King of Diamonds is owned in a three-way partnership between the Limestone, Claycrop and Pyeston flocks, following his private sale for 40,000gns. Mark Priestley wisely retained a share in the ram, alongside James Wallace and Stewart Lathangie.
The partnership has enjoyed a highly successful 2026 sale season, with their respective flocks producing a significant number of this year’s leading prices.
King of Diamonds has certainly passed on his looks, style and breeding ability to the next generation. His influence was particularly evident at the Lanark Show and Sale, where he sired both the Champion and Reserve Champion, as well as a number of leading-price lambs.
One of the most significant features of King of Diamonds’ pedigree is his dam. An ET sister KPC:19:1196 to the 2024 Sire of the Year, Limestone Online.
This exceptional ewe has made a huge contribution to the success of the Limestone flock. Her influence extends beyond King of Diamonds and Limestone Online, as she was also the dam of the 48,000gns Limestone Marksman.
This ewe’s breeding success highlights the depth and consistency behind the Limestone programme and demonstrates the value of combining proven bloodlines from some of the industry’s leading flocks.
Take a look at the pedigree below to see the mix of flocks and bloodlines that have come together to produce this trump card.
Limestone King of Diamonds – 2026 Sale Results
The auction prices that helped secure the Sire of the Year 2026 crown were achieved at the Society sales throughout the year.
| Sale | Lot No. | Vendor | Price (gns) | Buyer |
| Ballymena | 57 | Limestone | 50,000 | Howgillfoot, Maidenstone & Cloudside |
| Lanark | 48 | Claycrop | 28,000 | Sportsmans |
| Ballymena | 58 | Limestone | 26,000 | Blackbrae, Cherrylea & Forkins |
| Total | 104,000 | |||
| Average | 34,667 |
With £104,000gns in total sales and an impressive average of 34,667gns. King of Diamonds’ progeny have demonstrated their commercial appeal at some of the year’s most important sales.
Limestone Juggernaut – Reserve Sire of the Year 2026
The Reserve Sire of the Year 2026 also comes from the Limestone flock, making the achievement even more significant.
Limestone Juggernaut KPC:25:02924 produced some outstanding figures under the fall of the gavel during the 2026 sales season.
The biggest success came at the Ballymena Premier Export Sale, where progeny sired by Juggernaut produced an exceptional return for their consignors.
Paddy Grant and the Craigdoo flock, achieved the top price of 55,000gns for Lot 32, purchased outright by Jim Innes of Strathbogie. Lot 33 added a further 4,800gns and Lot 149, sold on behalf of John Grant’s Grants flock, achieved 5,800gns.
Across the three lots, the total return was an impressive 65,600gns, giving an average of 21,867gns.
It was certainly a year to remember for the owners and breeders of Limestone-sired lambs.
Juggernaut’s Impressive Pedigree
Limestone Juggernaut is sired by Benedyglen Masterpiece and is jointly owned by Brian Dickson of the Islandmoyle flock and Paddy Grant, Craigdoo flock, both in Northern Ireland. He has an equally eclectic, but distinctly different, pedigree to King of Diamonds.
Juggernaut was purchased for 24,000gns at the 2025 Premier Sale, following his success as Northern Ireland National Champion at Armagh Show.
Once again, the influential ewe KPC:19:1196 appears in the pedigree as his grand dam.
Her repeated appearance behind two of the year’s most successful sires further demonstrates the extraordinary breeding value she has brought to the Limestone flock and the wider Limestone bloodline.
For the Limestone flock, 2026 has been a year of exceptional breeding success, outstanding sale results and an achievement that may well be unique in the history of the Sire of the Year competition.
Previous Sire of the Year winners
