Premier Sale 2014 Report

You would be forgiven for thinking there was only one breeder with ram lambs at the Premier Show and sale in Roscommon on Wed 23rd July. The Ballinascraw flock took 1st prize in the LambPlus 5star class for Terminal Trait with their only 5star ram lamb. This was followed by a record breaking 1st 2nd 3rd and 4th in the open ram lamb class. Then had 1st and 5th in the shearling ewe class. They  to wait for the Championship of Production sheep to win their next trophy, the Pat Oliver Performance Cup. They followed this with the overall championship and reserve championship. What a day in the show ring for the Lynch Family of Ballinalee, Co. Longford. It did not end there though. In the sales ring the Champion was sold for 1,000 guineas to Mike Edgeworth from Waterford and the other 4 averaged over 600 guineas each. The judge on the day was Fred Coulter from Ballymena, Co. Antrim, renowned breeder and judge.

Front L-R Stephen Lynch holding the Champion, Ballinascraw Najinsky, Champion and John Lynch with Ballinascraw Nasa, Reserve Champion.
Back L-R Fred Coulter, judge and Cheryl O’Brien Vendéen Society Chairperson

Pat Oliver on the left presenting the Performance Trophy to John Lynch on the right with Fred Coulter, the judge, in the centre

The sale went well with an almost 80% clearance of rams on the day with prices and clearance up on 2013. The ring was crowded for the entire sale and the bidding was brisk.

With lots of demand for quality Vendeen sheep, this all bodes well for the upcoming sale season.

Results of the Premier Show kindly sponsored by Univet