Two rams shared the top price tag of 950gns at the Central Beltex Club’s show at sale at McCartney Rural’s Worcester Centre on Friday, 1 September.

3, Challonsleigh Gino, L Elworthy, 950gns

First to make the money was Louise Elworthy’s Callonsleigh Gino, a two-shear originally bred by Judith Lapthorne and used in Louise’s Fingle Flock near Crockernwell, Exeter. This Champion at Liskeard Show is by Matt’s Dismay and out of the Hackney Countdown-sired Brownville Debbie. Gino was knocked down to BJ and SM Powell, Bournes Green, Kidderminster.

23, Dooley Hippy, D Thornley, 950gns

Matching that 950gns was the second prize shearling ram, Dooley Hippy, which also stood Reserve Male and Reserve Supreme at the pre-sale show. Consigned by Dave Thornley and son, Joe, from Diseworth, Leicestershire, this Ardstewart Fred Flintstone son is out of the Dean V/H Vrijbos-sired Hackney Debbie and sold to R Bond, Blackawton, Totnes.

The Powells paid a further 650gns and 580gns for two more shearling ram entries including Clifton Hercules Hooper, a Clifton Free Spirit son from local breeder, J Buono, Worcester. His dam is Clifton Elisa, a Fingle Detornator daughter.

At 580gns was Louise’s substitute entry, Fingle Headhunter, which is by Ainstable Epilogue and out of Fingle Dido, herself by Swelle Angus.

Mr Buono welcomed a further 500gns from DA and SE Jones, Clifton-on-Teme, Worcester, for the Clifton Gizmo-sired Clifton Huckle Berry.

The Male and Supreme Champion, Austen Lockyer’s Look About Horace, sold to J Denny, Alburgh, Harleston, also for 500gns. Bred from Look About Classy from daughter, Charlotte’s flock near East Huntspill, Highbridge, he is by Staddlestone Fury.

Averages: Two aged rams, £646 (1 x £315 in 2022); 17 shearling rams, £456 (31 x £628); two ram lambs, £394 (6 x £427); five shearling ewes, £248 (17 x £293).