The Northern Counties Suffolk Spectacular returned to Borderway Mart, Carlisle, on Friday 31 July and Saturday 1 August 2026, once again proving the success of the revised two-day format introduced in 2025. The event combined the inspection and show on Friday evening with the Saturday sale, providing exhibitors and buyers with a relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere while delivering an outstanding outcome for vendors.

Supported by the marketing expertise of Harrison & Hetherington (H&H), the sale attracted a large entry of Suffolk sheep from across all the Society’s regions. Strong buyer confidence and competitive bidding resulted in significantly improved averages across several classes, reinforcing the growing confidence in the Suffolk breed.

A Successful Two-Day Format

Following its successful introduction last year, the two-day format once again proved popular with breeders, vendors and visitors alike. The Friday evening show began at 5.00 pm, attracting an enthusiastic crowd around the ringside, while the popular ‘Beer and a Burger’ hospitality created a welcoming social atmosphere throughout the evening.

Judging duties were undertaken by Michael (Mickey) Walton Jnr of the renowned Roseden Flock, Northumberland. The Walton family has enjoyed a long-standing association with the Suffolk breed, and Mickey continued that proud tradition by officiating at the Society’s final pedigree ram sale of the season.

Female Championship

Outstanding Shearling Gimmer Takes Female Champion and Overall Reserve

With the sale taking place later in the breeding calendar, exhibitors entered an impressive 33 shearling gimmers, creating one of the strongest female classes seen in recent years.

The quality on display was exceptional, with the judge awarding the red rosette to Lot 432, exhibited by Graeme Christie of the Balquhain Flock, Aberdeenshire. The winning shearling gimmer was a twin embryo transfer (ET) daughter by Rempstone Gambler, the 30,000gns National Sale leader in 2023, out of a home-bred ewe PDN:20:01071 sired by Crewelands Kingpin.

The female subsequently secured the Female Championship and going on to win Overall Reserve before selling for 3,500gns to online buyers Messrs Sterling Sinclair, demonstrating the continued demand for proven Suffolk breeding lines.

Shearling Gimmer Trade

Trade reflected the quality forward, with 100% clearance and an average of £1771 which is a huge increase of £569 on last year.

These figures underline the continued resurgence of the Suffolk breed and the confidence shown by commercial and pedigree buyers alike.

Reserve Female Champion Impresses

Reserve Female Champion honours went to Lot 436, an outstanding ewe lamb from the Dol-Llys Flock of Andrew Evans, who is current Council Chair.

His only ewe lamb entry was a twin, sired naturally by Salopian Silus from a home-bred ewe 82N:21:06723 sired by Howgillfoot Heavy Duty. She impressed judge Mickey Walton Jnr before selling for 1,800gns to an undisclosed purchaser.

Strong Demand for Ewe Lambs

Another standout female was the second-placed ewe lamb, Lot 442, exhibited by Colin Rodger, Comlongon Flock.

A relatively recent entrant to pedigree Suffolk breeding, Colin has seen success with his ewe lamb FN24:26:00020. His AI-bred ewe lamb, sired by Bullers Red Arrow from one of his foundation females KFD:21:03780 originating from the Landale Flock. The ewe lamb attracted fiercely competitive bidding before selling to Messrs Barclay, Inch, Aberdeenshire, for 4,000gns.

This reflects a trend within the breed for different types of Suffolk sheep. Ewe lambs once again achieving a 100% clearance, as eight sold to average £1,696, an increase of £216 on the previous year.

Male Championship

Shearling Rams Impress the Judge

The shearling ram class attracted 16 entries, giving judge Michael Walton Jnr another strong line-up to assess. The later timing of the sale continues to encourage breeders to consign shearling rams, providing commercial buyers with the opportunity to settle new purchases into their flocks well ahead of the breeding season. It also offers pedigree breeders the chance to secure proven sires as valuable back-up rams for the forthcoming AI and ET programmes.

Taking top honours in the class was Lot 450, Strathbogie King Kong, exhibited by Alastair Jackson of the Topgun Flock.

Bred by James Innes of the Strathbogie Flock, Aberdeenshire, the shearling ram is a single embryo transfer (ET) son of Rempstone Gambler, out of a Strathbogie-bred ewe SUT:19:03287 sired by Crewelands Kingpin.

Following his success in the show ring, the ram sold for 1,400gns to C & L Dempsie, Auchincruive, Ayrshire.

Shearling Ram Trade

Trade remained strong throughout the class seeing 10 sold, with an average of 1,459 gns, an increase of 208gns on last year.

These figures once again demonstrated the continued strength of demand for quality Suffolk genetics.

Ram Lamb Championship

Overall Champion Crowned from the Donbraid Flock

The ram lamb section produced one of the strongest displays of the day, with breeders presenting an exceptional standard of stock for the season’s final Society sale.

Judge Michael Walton Jnr awarded first prize Ram lamb, Male Champion and Overall Champion to Lot 648, exhibited by Ian Donald of the Donbraid Flock in Northern Ireland.

The impressive twin embryo transfer ram lamb KSX:26:01274 caught the judge’s eye and secured the red rosette. Sired by Cavanagrove Dynamite from a home-bred ewe, his pedigree also featured influential Ballynacannon, Crewelands and Redbrae bloodlines.

Following his championship success but drawn late in the sale order, the lamb sold for 2,200gns to Hallam & Eggleston, Loughborough, representing excellent value for the day’s Overall Champion.

Derg Flock Tops the Sale at 11,000gns

While the Overall Champion claimed the major championship honours, the day’s highest price belonged to the Derg Flock of Samantha Allen and Allen Shortt, who travelled from Strabane, County Tyrone, with another outstanding consignment again reflecting the quality of stock available from Northern Ireland.

Their sale leader, Lot 533 ZNP:26:02226, an embryo transfer son of Bessiebell Paddy Power from a home-bred ewe ZNP:24:01694, attracted serious bidding before selling for the day’s top price of 11,000gns.

The ram lamb was purchased in a 3 way split between A Gray & Son, Langside Flock, S Bourman, Middlehouse Flock and Messrs Gray from Lanark.

Ram Lamb Trade

Trade throughout the ram lamb section reflected the confidence currently being shown in the Suffolk breed.

From 166 sheep forward, 149 found new homes, representing an impressive 89.7% clearance rate.

The average price rose to £1,788, an increase of £321 on the previous year, providing further evidence that the combination of H&H’s marketing, the successful two-day format and renewed confidence in the breed continues to deliver excellent returns for vendors.

Pair of Ram Lambs

Westcarse Continues an Outstanding Season

The Pair of Ram Lambs competition rounded off a high-quality show, with Messrs J.H. Christie & Son of the Westcarse Flock taking first place.

The success follows an excellent season for the Christie family, who have enjoyed success at the Royal Highland Show 2026. Their eye for breeding Suffolk sheep was once again evident as their pair impressed the judge.

The accolade adds further momentum ahead of the upcoming Westcarse Flock Dispersal in November, which will be conducted by Harrison & Hetherington. Dispersal sales provide a rare opportunity for breeders to purchase established bloodlines across a range of ages, making them particularly attractive to both new and existing pedigree breeders.

NextGen Young Handlers

A Bright Future for the Suffolk Breed

One of the most encouraging aspects of the Northern Counties Suffolk Spectacular was the excellent support for the NextGen Young Handlers competitions.

The classes attracted an enthusiastic group of young exhibitors, demonstrating the dedication of the Northern Counties Branch in encouraging and developing the next generation of Suffolk sheep breeders.

Events such as these play an important role in ensuring the future of both the Society and the pedigree Suffolk breed.

Junior Young Handler Champion

Congratulations to Archie Killey, who claimed first place in the NextGen Junior Young Handler competition.

Senior Young Handler Champion

The NextGen Senior Young Handler title went to Charlie Leach, who also won the red rosette at Northern Counties Sale in 2025 to complete an impressive back-to-back victory.

Top Ram lamb prices

Lot No	Flock	Price (gns)	Buyer
533	Derg	11,000	A Gray& Son, Langside; S Bourman, Middlehouse & Messrs Gray – Lanark
593	Claycrop	8,000	J Wallace, Claycrop & JT&JB Cannon, Redbrae
513	Chaseley	7,000	Messrs Owens – Leominster
588	Sitlow	6,500	Messrs Pate – Herriot
509	Roxburgh Mains	5,000	WDC Mundell, Meigle
600	Balvenie	5,000	J Douglas, Cairness
511	Roxburgh Mains	4,800	Messrs Roots – Dumfries
543	Richhill	4,800	S Illingworth, Glenrock & A Jackson, Topgun
538	Derg	4,500	HC Derryman & Sons, Yarcombe
561	Cairnton	4,200	C Kenyon, Redacre

The award for the highest pen of three ram lambs went to the Derg Flock of S Allen & A Shortt. Their remarkable team comprised Lot 533, which sold for 11,000gns, Lot 538, which achieved 4,500gns, and Lot 536, which reached 3,200gns.

Together, the trio delivered an outstanding average of 6,233gns, highlighting the depth and consistency of quality within the Derg breeding programme.

Ram lamb top price gallery

SUFFOLK SPECTACULAR SHOW RESULTS 2026

Judge: Michael Walton Jr, Roseden Flock

Championship Awards

Overall Supreme Champion
Lot 648 – I Donald, Donbraid (KSX:26:01274)

Overall Reserve Champion
Lot 432 – GJ Christie, Balquhain (PDN:26:02015)

Champion Male
Lot 648 Ram Lamb – I Donald, Donbraid (KSX:26:01274)

Reserve Champion Male
Lot 450 Shearling Ram – A Jackson, Topgun – Strathbogie King Kong

Champion Female
Lot 432 Shearling Gimmer – GJ Christie, Balquhain (PDN:25:01854)

Reserve Champion Female
Lot 436 Ewe Lamb – AW Evans, Dol-Llys (82N:26:11409)

Classes

Class 1 – Best Shearling Gimmer

1st: Lot 432 – GJ Christie, Balquhain (PDN:25:01854)

2nd: Lot 433 – A Jackson, Topgun (ZAS:25:02376)

3rd: Lot 405 – RH Goldie, Harpercroft (249:25:01540)

4th: Lot 412 – G & FJ Soulsby, Williamsgill (FAJ:25:01129)

Class 2 – Best Ewe Lamb

1st: Lot 436 – AW Evans, Dol-Llys (82N:26:11409)

2nd: Lot 442 – C Rodger, Comlongon (FN24:26:00020)

3rd: Lot 434 – A Jackson, Topgun (ZAS:26:02667)

4th: Lot 437 – RK Denby, Carnforth (A58:26:01238)

Class 3 – Best Shearling Ram

1st: Lot 450 – A Jackson, Topgun – Strathbogie King Kong

2nd: Lot 451 – RK Denby, Carnforth – Cairnton Kingsway

3rd: Lot 453 – A Glaves, Brompton (M17:25:06628)

4th: Lot 461 – C Rodger, Comlongon (FN24:25:00002)

Class 4 – Best Single Ram Lamb (Trimmed or Untrimmed)

1st: Lot 648 – I Donald, Donbraid (KSX:26:01274)

2nd: Lot 586 – GJ Christie, Balquhain (PDN:26:02015)

3rd: Lot 529 – RH Goldie, Harpercroft (249:26:01714)

4th: Lot 533 – S Allen & A Shortt, Derg (ZNP:26:02226)

Class 5 – Best Pair of Ram Lambs

1st: JH Christie & Son, Westcarse
Lot 620 – 47D:26:02322
Lot 623 – 47D:26:02286

2nd: D Taylor, Ballynacannon
Lot 520 – KKW:26:02901
Lot 521 – KKW:26:02827

3rd: J Elliot, Roxburgh Mains
Lot 509 – 9003:26:07125
Lot 512 – 9003:26:07124

4th: F Christie, Maidenstone
Lot 463 – WHU:26:02074
Lot 465 – WHU:26:02081

Class 6 – Best Junior Young Handler (NextGen)

1st: Archie Killey

2nd: Milly Shelby

3rd: Kit Rodger

4th: Harriet Moffatt

5th: Ivor Rodger

6th: Parker Shelby

7th: Georgina Delves

Class 7 – Best Senior Young Handler (NextGen)

1st: Charlie Leach

2nd: Lara Taylor

3rd: Isabella Taylor

4th: Hannah Pickthall

5th: Robert Brannen

6th: Elsie Hutchinson

GALLERY