The recent Beltex premier sale held at Tullamore mart was met with a mixed trade resulting in just shy of a 60% clearance with average price settling at €576. Judge for the day was Michael Oliver who put up Quarrymount Despicable Me as overall champion. This January 2018-born ram was bred by Brian Matthews of Killeigh, Co Offaly, and is sired by Hillview Weapon. The champion was secured by Cathal Tuohy for €1,000.

Matthews also bred the reserve overall champion, this in the form of Quarrymount Destiny. This hogget ewe class winner was born January 2018 and is sired by Heatheryhall Back-up. This one sold for the sale’s top price of €1,300, selling to a Cork-based flock.

Securing a bid of €1,120 was a hogget ewe from John and Dudley Maher. Ballinakill Diva is a January 2018-born daughter of the Hillview Weapon. The Maher duo were also in the top prices of the hogget rams with Ballinakill DJ. This ram is also sired by the aforementioned Hillview Weapon and hit the market at €920, selling to David Pearson, Co Laois. Mayo-based Jimmy Burke was next in line when he sold his January 2018-born hogget ram, High Street Dream, for €910.

Ram lambs sold to a top of €850 for the pick of Stephanie and Hugh O’Connor’s lots. The January 2019-born Cloneycavan Elvis is sired by Kingledores Wildman and was sold to Henry Ford.