A ram lamb, Glenpark Galileo ET, from Kenny and Janice Preston’s Glenpark Flock in Omagh lifted the Supreme Champion title at the Irish Beltex Sheep Breeders Club Show and Export Sale at Dungannon Farmers Mart on Bank Holiday Monday.

The Reserve Champion was Matt’s Fanciful, a shearling ewe from Kinawley-based Matthew Burleigh. The top shearling ram was Derryogue Fidget, from Kilkeel-based Edward and Shirlee Nicholson’s Derryogue Flock.

The ewe lamb class winner was Glenkeen Glitter ET, from Limavady-based F & J Harbinson’s Glenkeen Flock.

Judge was Michael Oliver, Lisnacrann Beltex, Tullinacurra, County May.

Commenting on his choice of Supreme Champion, judge Michael Oliver said: “When this ram lamb came into the ring he just looked so smart, demanding attention. He had serious presence and great character.

“My Reserve Champion, Matthew Burleigh’s shearling ewe, was a very nice, powerful ewe, everything I would look for in a breeding Beltex female.”

Commenting on the overall standard Michael added. “This is the third year that I have attended an Irish Club Show and Sale at Dungannon, and whilst the standard has always been very high, I believe this show and sale has been the best to date in terms of quality in all the classes.”

A total of 97 MV Accredited and Scrapie Monitored Pedigree Sheep were sold under the auspices of the Beltex Sheep Society and the Irish Beltex Sheep Breeders Club and the top price on the day was 1550gns that was paid out for Matthew Burleigh’s Reserve Champion, Matt’s Fanciful, with the purchaser being Harvey Keys from Fivemiletown.

Other top prices included 1300gns for Lagyveagh Fonzo, a shearling ram from Hugh and Eddie O’Neill’s Glenarm-based Lagyveagh Flock – purchaser, Raymond Bowden from Stewartstown; 1200gns for the Supreme Champion – Glenpark Galileo ET, a ram lamb belonging to Kenny and Janice Preston, which was purchased by the judge, Michael Oliver, County Mayo, and Declan Robinson, County Donegal; 1080gns for Munreary Fred, a shearling ram from Claudy-based Patrick Brolly’s Munreary Flock, which was purchased by M Stewart from Coleraine;  1050gns for Lagyveagh Fernando,  a shearling ram from Hugh and Eddie O’Neill’s Lagyveagh Flock – purchaser Russell Tinney, Manorcunningham, Letterkenny; 1050gns for Matt’s Flowergirl, a shearling ewe from Matthew Burleigh’s Matt’s Flock, which was purchased by Tom Feehan from Westport, County Mayo; and 900gns for Mackro Fireball, a shearling ram from John Robinson and Hayley Mackey’s Ballywalter-based Mackro Flock.

Averages: 20 shearling rams, £598 (29 x £554 in 2020); 10 ram lambs, £530 (10 x £470); 14 shearling ewes, £608 (13 x £513); five ewe lambs, £374 (n/c).

Issued on behalf of the Beltex Sheep Society and the Irish Beltex Sheep Breeders Club by Incorporated Images.