Shearling ewes from Andrew Morton led the Beltex Sheep Society’s offering of females at North West Auctions’ Kendal Centre on Saturday, 8 January, when his Champion topped the sale at 1200gns with another two selling for 1100gns apiece.

Having claimed the Championship at the pre-sale show, Andrew’s Mortons Fascination was knocked down for that top price of 1200gns to Alasdair Prickett for his Farleton House flock near Carnforth. Sired by the 10,000gns Gyffin Dexter that has bred well in the flock, Fascination’s dam is the Hackney Braveheart daughter, Mortons Della. She changed hands scanned with a single to Boothlow F1.

Andrew’s first in, Mortons Foot Loose ET – another by Gyffin Dexter bred from a Hackney Braveheart daughter, this time Mortons Cute – sold to JK and BE Townley, Caton Green, Lancaster for 1100gns. She scanned twins to Ardstewart Fancy Pants.

Also making 1100gns was Mortons Forget Me Not, this time by Ravara Avicii and out of the Hackney Braveheart-sired Mortons Cinnamon. Scanned a pair to Gyffin Dexter, she caught the eye of the Taylor family near Ardeonaig, Killin, Perthshire.

Sticking with Andrew’s pen from near Denny, Stirlingshire, and selling to J Frankland, Rathmell, Settle, for 900gns was Mortons Frenchie, which was carrying a single to Gyffin Dexter. She offers some different breeding, being by Matt’s Dare Devil and out of Mortons Chloe, a Kingledores Battleaxe daughter.

Messrs Frankland paid a further 800gns for Mortons Fairy Cake, which is out of Mortons Chandalier, a Kingledores Battleaxe daughter, while her sire is Ravara Avicii. She scanned a pair to Matt’s Dare Devil.

Two females realised 750gns apiece, the first of which was Stuart Currie’s red rosette-winning aged ewe, Beautry Edina, which was another to sell to Alasdair Prickett. Bred from the Lyonpark Thrust-sired Beautry Wendy from the flock near Rathmell, she changed hands scanned with a pair to Artnagullion Elmo.

Matching that 750gns was Mark and Ellie Jennings’ Hallcrake Fritilary, a Godor demon daughter from the local Selside-based flock. Scanned with twins to Frongoy Enrique, her dam is the Withy Trees Alf-sired Cynin Debra and she also sold to the Franklands, Rathmell.

 Averages: Five aged ewes, £483 (3 x £480 in 2021); 22 shearling ewes, £591 (14 x £971).