Derg Jack in the Box took the championship at the export show and sale, held at Dungannon Farmers’ Mart. The ram lamb from Samantha Allen and Allen Shortt’s Derg flock, Castlederg, was Angus Brisbane’s male champion before being tapped out as overall champion. He is out of Derg Gracie, who is a daughter of the 12,000gns Hackney Classy and a half sister to Derg Glitter, who won The Royal Highland, Balmoral and Great Yorkshire shows in 2023. Jack in the Box is sired by the 20,000gns, Royal Welsh 2023 champion, Beili Blues Hulk and sold for 3000gns in a three-way split between Nigel Flanagan, Philip Crowe and Declan McCaffrey.
The champion’s half-sister, Derg Jellybean, sold to a ROI customer, for 2100gns. With their lot 427, another Beili Blues Hulk progeny, heading to Galway with Kevin and Kieran Swift, for 900gns.
The reserve champion spot went to Lot 417, Rosemary McAllister’s, Artnagullion Jack the Lad. He is sired by Hackney Your Joking and his dam Tullyear, was the flock’s 2023 show gimmer. She had a successful show season last summer, securing breed championship and interbreed places at many local shows. The ram lamb too has had local show success this year before being picked as reserve male champion and reserve champion at Dungannon. The first sheep to be sold from the pedigree Artnagullion Blue Texel Flock, Jack the Lad went to Iain Colville, Comber, for 850gns.
Also taking a championship place was William Nelson, securing female champion with his shearling ewe, Lot 474 Drumacritten Heather, who sold for 480gns to Harry McIvor, Newmills.
Among the top prices was Clive Richardson, selling his shearling ram, Cleenagh Homeboy to Michael Walsh, Ballinrobe for 1400gns.
The judge, Angus Brisbane, Auchmantle Flock, was very impressed by the Blue Texels and commented, “My champion had great size and bone, as well as being nice and correct. He was well handled which also helps and deserved to be top price in the sale.”
Travelling from Castle Kennedy, Stranraer, Brisbane continued, “I would like to thank Blue Texels NI for asking me to judge. I was presented with a great show of sheep and I really enjoyed my day at Dungannon.”
Judge Angus Brisbane, Auchmantle Flock
Shearling ram:
1st – Lot 405 – S Flanagan
2nd – Lot 412 – A and C Richardson
3rd – Lot 414 – S and A Gallagher
Ram lamb:
1st – Lot 426 – S Allen and A Shortt
2nd – Lot 417 – R McAllister
3rd – Lot 425 – J Travers
Shearling ewe:
1st – Lot 474 – W and A Nelson
2nd – Lot 475 – W and A Nelson
3rd – Lot 468 – A Shortt
Ewe lamb:
1st – Lot 509 – N Flanagan
2nd – Lot 486 – S Allen and A Shortt
3rd – Lot 511 – A and J Carson
Male champion – ram lamb – S Allen and A Shortt
Reserve male champion – ram lamb – R McAllister
Female champion – shearling ewe – W and A Nelson
Reserve female champion – ewe lamb – N Flanagan
Overall champion – ram lamb, Derg Jack in the Box – S Allen and A Shortt
Reserve overall champion – ram lamb, Artnagullion Jack the Lad – Rosemary McAllister
