Sale Report for Worcester Black Diamond Sale on August 15, 2020
Stunning Gem Shines at Black Diamond Sale
Topping the prices this year, reflecting an overall excellent trade, was a very stylish shearling ewe, lot 57 Dash Wood Golightly, bred and consigned by her breeder Jane McBean and selling for the record price of 2,200gns to the Hayberries Flock of Mr P & Mrs S Addison, Co. Durham. She topped a very buoyant sale at McCartneys, Worcester, with averages well up on previous years and most sheep finding new flocks.
Immediately following her into the ring was the second top price in the shearling section, lot 58 Hayberries Greenarrow, one of 2 shearlings forward by the Addisons, making 520gns and going across the water to the Republic of Ireland with J Smyth, Co. Wexford. She will be joined in Ireland by her pen mate lot 59, Ardenbeag Gaiety, bred by Gillian McIntosh but brought out by Hayberries and achieving joint 3rd top price of 440gns with 2 more shearling ewes, lots 42 & 43, both bred and brought out by Sam Inns, Castle Hill Gemini, again bought by J Smyth, whilst Castle Hill Glisten makes a much shorter journey to Shropshire with C & K Weaver.
No senior rams were forward, but the shearling ram section came out strongly with the 2nd sheep in, lot 5 Greyland Gallant, making 420gns. Bred by Caroline Clark in Farnham, he was bought by K Shaw, Warwickshire. Standing second to him pricewise was lot 7, Craigies Grand Slam. Bred by Stuart Craig but Consigned by Mr & Mrs Houseman, 200gns secured him for A Mitten, Staffordshire.
Ram Lambs up next and a very strong group this was too, with the averages beating the Carlisle Premier Sale the week before! Topping this section and making it a particularly good day for the Addisons, was lot 33, a substitute, Hayberries Hi Roller. 700gns was paid and he’s away down to Cornwall with Jason Kestell.
Sam Inns also consolidated a very good sale by achieving next highest price of 600gns, with lot 35, Castle Hill Hotrod. D & B Klinkenberg took this chap all the way home to West Sussex. Splitting the 2 top lots in the catalogue was lot 34, Cernyw Hedd Wyn. Bred by G & L Owen, he was one of 3 lambs hitting the 500gn mark, and he’s another one to join the Weavers in Shropshire. Lot 22, another substitute, Pistyll Harry, consigned by breeders the Francis’, was the second lamb at 500gns, and bought by J Gould of Cornwall. The 3rd lamb of this strong bunch was lot 23, Bingheleia Hercules. Bred & consigned by Harry Preston, he’s another away south with JC Burdge, Somerset.
Just 2 senior ewes were forward, both from the Viking flock of the Housemans, V Fenella & V Frances. They made 220gns and 200gns respectively and are away together to join Jess Yardley in Staffordshire.
Rounding off the sale for Sam Inns was lot 66, Castle Hill Harmony, who topped the ewe lamb section. She made 620gns and is away with Mr D & Mrs C Jones to Powys in Wales. Next best was lot 92, Hayberries Hallmark, consigned by the Addisons. She realised 520gns and is joining her flock mates in County Wexford. Close on her heels was lot 84,
Danygraig Hannah, making 500gns, bred & consigned by Mr D & Mrs C Jones, and another to go all the way to Cornwall with J Gould. J Kestell made it a worthwhile trip up from Cornwall by securing 350gns twice with lots 99, Rockford Hindrance, & 102, Rockford Harmony. Neither have travelled far to their new homes, the former going to the Weavers in Shropshire, and the latter to Miss K Hobbins in Warwickshire.
Many thanks must go to all the consigners and buyers for making it such a good sale during this difficult time, and huge thanks also to Clive Roads and the team at McCartneys for making it such a relaxed and well-run day.
Averages
6 Shearling Rams £234.50
8 Ram Lambs £454.12
2 Flock Ewes £220.50
21 Shearling Ewes £389.00
30 Ewe Lambs £233.10
Report submitted by Anne Robinson