Suffolks hit double high of €13,000 at Premier Show & Sale
Trade reached a top of €13,000 on two occasions at the South of Ireland Suffolk Society Premier Show & Sale which took place in Blessington Mart. First to reach that mark was John Doherty, Co. Donegal with a ram lamb by Duncan’s Cantona. He had taken Overall Reserve Champion in the previous day’s show and goes to Keith Johnston of the Rossbrook flock in Northern Ireland. This lamb comes from the one of the best breeding lines in the Malinhead flock, with his dam being a sister of Malinhead Canonball.
Next to reach €13,000 was a stylish ram lamb from Michael Hastings, Co. Mayo. This ram lamb is by Limestone Double Diamond and out of a ewe by Solwaybank Rock Solid. He finds a new home in County Antrim with Alastair Barkley’s Blackbrae flock.
Judge for the show on Friday was Mark Priestly of the renowned Limestone flock based in Co. Down who tapped a super ram lamb from Andrew Wilson’s Castleisle flock as his Supreme Champion. Sired by Malinhead Cannonball, this ram had no shortage of admirers and eventually was knocked down at €9,000 to a trio of buyers in Richard Thompson, John Molloy and Michael Hastings. This lamb’s dam is a Millpark ewe purchased at the Black Beauties 2023 for €2,600. This line goes back to Castleisle Kingsman, Blackadder and CR7.
Ben Lynch’s Ernevalley flock from Co. Cavan took 1st place in the Novice class at the first time of asking with a very strong ram lamb by Craigdoo Crusader and a Donbraid ewe. Being one of the fancied rams in the yard, he sold for €7,000 to Patrick McVerry for his Tullywinney flock based in Co. Armagh.
The Convoy flock of Alan Kilpatrick took home €6,500 for a very breedy ram by the £75,000 Cairnton Chaos and a dam by Ballynacanon Booty Hunter. This ram lamb came 2nd in the Open class and was purchased by Paul Stacey, Co. Carlow and S&S Gahan.
Andrew Wilson’s Castleisle flock sold a ram lamb for €3,000 to Philip Lynch, Kenneth Bailey and Trevor Geelan. This stylish lamb is by Ballygroogan Banker and a dam by Shannagh CR7. His dam is a full sister to the £6,000 Shannagh Bossman.
Top priced female in the sale was the 1st Prize Shearling ewe from Michael Hastings who ultimately was awarded Reserve Female Champion. Out of Limestone Bugatti, she stays in Mayo having sold for €2,400 to Michael & Marie Jennings. This ewe is a maternal sister to Western Drago who sold for €13,000.
The Female Championship was awarded to Charlie Bourke’s ewe lamb by Limestone Double Diamond. She sold for €2,300 to Seamus Walsh.
First in the Group of 3 class was Arthur & Patrick O’Keeffe with a strong trio of ram lambs. The first of these lambs sold for €2,000 to Aidan Carney. He was sired by Limestone Springbok going back to a Cairness ewe.
Shearling rams met a good trade with the top price of €1,700 for Philip Lynch’s strong ram who came 1st in the Shearling Ram class. He was by Finnvale Billy the Kid and a Jalex ewe by Scrogton Snapchat.
The Young Handlers classes were full of enthusiasm and excitement as usual with the next generation of breeders showcasing their skills. First class up was the Under 13 class which was won by Lara Taylor of Ardvarness. In second place was James Molloy of Molloy Suffolks with Tadhg Brady of Milldam coming 3rd. The Society wishes to thank Shane Brady for putting up the new trophy for this class.
In the Aged 14-18 Class, taking top honours was Paddy McMonagle of Aughnakeeragh. Daniel Grady was second with Isabella Taylor in 3rd place. We would like to thank Susan O’Keeffe for donating the new trophy for this class and we look forward to seeing it being keenly contested for in the years to come.
The Society would like to thank all that helped in any way to make the Premier Show & Sale a success. We would like to thank our sponsors for their continued support, in particular, our main sponsor Mayo Healthcare.
