PHENOMENAL trade, including a top price of 5,600gns (£5,880), saw records tumble at Skipton Auction Mart’s Autumn working sheepdogs sale, with a new record for the number of dogs sold and a new all-time high selling price for a dog under 12 months old.

It was one of the most successful days ever at the UK’s leading working dog sales venue, which saw a number of the leading price dogs find new homes in America and Canada.

“There was unprecedented demand. Overseas buyers either present at the ringside or bidding on the phone contributed a great deal to the unparalleled success of the sale,” said Craven Cattle Marts’ general manager Jeremy Eaton.

Of the 97 dogs forward, 82 were sold, a clearance rate of 85 per cent, while 49 of the 54 field-run dogs – a 91 per cent clearance - found new homes, which represented a new mart record. Among them were 46 broken registered dogs, which sold to an overall average of £2,317.

Among the dogs selling overseas was the top price performer from leading Northern Ireland triallist Michael Gallagher, owith his 17-month-old black and white bitch, Belle.

She found a new home in Bellefontaine, Ohio, with Don Whittington, who has won several US trials. “I met Michael several times while he was trialling over here and got to know him quite well,” said Mr Whittington.

Earlier in the day, Mr Gallagher took to the field with his black and white dog, Hemp, who sold for 2,400gns to Scott Macauley, of Crieff.

John Bell, of Howden, Skipton’s most prolific top price achiever, sent out the second top price 5,400gns dog, his November, 2012-born Susie. She fell to well-known Welsh team triallist Kevin Evans, of Modrydd Brecon.

Mr Bell also set a new record price of 4,900gns for a Skipton-sold dog aged under one with his 11-month-old black and white bitch, Tanhill Gael. She also fell to Kevin Evans, who, on this occasion, was purchasing on behalf a customer in Texas.

Ireland’s Doherty brothers, Joe and Padraig, of Ardagh Sheepdogs in County Donegal, caught the eye when taking to the field with successive entries. First up was Joe with his fully home-bred two-year-old tri-coloured dog, Ben, who fell for 4,000gns to Shirley Wright, from British Columbia in Canada.

Padraig then stepped up with his 18-month-old black and white dog, Flo, who joined Trevor Procter, of Great Musgrave, for 3,200gns.

Accomplished triallist Tony Iley, of Long Framlington, achieved his highest-ever selling price at Skipton of 4,000gns with his two-year-old black and white dog, Boo, who was runner-up in the 2014/15 Northumberland Nursery Championship. He joined 34-year-old Jonjo Pattinson, of Hexham.

Irishman James McCloskey, of Glentogher, took to the field with his 2104/15 Irish Nursery Final champion, Killibrae Laddie, who sold for 3,800gns to Carol Mellin, of Oakworth.

Shaun Richards, of Pen-y-Borough Sheep Dogs in Eldroth, another multiple top price achiever at Skipton, did well, making 3,600gns with his 21-month-old black and white dog, Flowerscar Scott, who sold to a regular buyer from Wales.

Northern Irishman Peter Morgan hit 3,200gns with his three-year old black and white bitch, Dot, who found a new home with Keith Loveridge, of Rochester.

A second 3,200gns sale fell to a two-year-old black and white dog, Ben, from Derryogue Sheepdogs in Kilkeel. The buyer was Richard Crowe, from the Isle of Man.

The same vendors achieved 3,050gns with their two-year black and white bitch, Nell, who fell to Emrys Jones, of Tal y Bont, Gwynedd.

Unregistered broken dogs averaged £1,662; part-broken registered dogs £634, and part-broken unregistered dogs, £297.