Artnagullion Fonta, a shearling ewe from Elizabeth McAllister’s Artnagullion Flock, Kells, took the Supreme Champion title at this year’s Irish Beltex Sheep Breeders Club’s In-lamb Christmas show and sale held at Dungannon Farmers Mart.

The Reserve Champion title went to County Fermanagh-based Matthew Burleigh’s Matt’s Gossip ET, a ewe lamb.

In the Aged Ewe class, Bodoney Everest ET from Andrew and Jamie McCutcheon’s Bodoney Flock, Trillick was the class winner.

Artnagullion Fonta, Elizabeth McAllister, 1300gns

The Supreme Champion, Artnagullion Fonta, took top price on the day selling to Kenny Preston from Omagh for 1300gns.

Artnagullion Fonta was described by judge, Gary Scott from Omagh, as “a real big, correct sheep with great skin and end.”

Sired by Greenall Dennis The Menace, the dam is Artnagullion Angel.

The McAllisters also recorded the second highest price with their runner-up in the shearling ewe class, Artnagullion Fable, selling to Russell Tinney from Letterkenny, for 1100gns.

The Reserve Champion, Matthew Burleigh’s ewe lamb, Matt’s Gossip ET, was described by Gary as “a real flashy ewe lamb that handled very well and also had a great skin”.

Sired by Murrays Expert, the dam is Matt’s Cracker.

“In general terms we had a good show of sheep with some exceptional females in the classes, a credit to the owners,” added Gary.

In the follow-up sale Matthew Burleigh’s shearling ewe, Matt’s Fragile ET, was purchased by Russell Tinney from Letterkenny for 800gns.

Matthew’s third place shearling ewe, Matt’s Finance ET, made 700gns selling to J & M O’Connor from Cookstown.

Hugh O’Neill from Glenarm had two shearling ewes sell for 640gns each, Lagyveagh Fuschia and Lagyveagh Forget Me Not, both being purchased by Trevor Smyth from Kilrea.

Andrew and Jamie McCutcheon’s aged ewe, a Lakeview ewe, was purchased by John Hutchinson from Comber for 600gns.

Issued on behalf of the Beltex Sheep Society and the Irish Beltex Sheep Breeders Club by Incorporated Images. For further information contact Alan Bailie, telephone 07517 463460.