CUMBRIAN Charollais sheep breeder John Stott Jnr, who runs the Kingsland pedigree flock in Crosscrake, Stainton, near Kendal, claimed top price of 700gns at the British Charollais Sheep Society’s annual show and sale of commercial rams at Skipton Auction Mart.

He achieved it with a home-bred shearling ram, one of February, 2017, born twins by a sire from the Marwood family’s renowned Foulrice flock, himself by the highly regarded Marwood tup, Dalby Mount Aloe. The top price performer was claimed by J Riley and Son, of Castleford.

Mr Stott also stepped up with the first prize lamb ram, a December, 2017, twin by a ram sired by Kirkhouse Optimus, from Johnathan and David Norman’s flock of the same name in Cockermouth – David was also in attendance at Skipton when judging the show classes. Out of a Kingsland dam by Tymaen Knobby, the red rosette winner made 350gns when joining J Richardson & Son, of Southwick, Peterborough, who are regular buyers at the fixture.

As in 2017, principal honours in the show arena again fell to father, son and daughter, Charles and Stephen Marwood, and Deborah Whitcher, who all farm near York.

The Marwood men, who run the multi award-winning Foulrice flock in Whenby, were crowned supreme champions for the third year in succession with their first prize shearling ram, a December, 2016, single son of Bronwydd Ready To Rumble, who is himself by Skelton Whin Oddysey.

Out of a Foulrice dam sired by the well-utilised Dalby Mount Aloe, purchased as a ram lamb at the Worcester Premier Sale in 2012 and also responsible for the Marwoods’ 2016 and 2017 Skipton champions, the family’s latest title winner sold for 400gns to DT Dinsdale, of Leyburn.

The Marwoods also claimed second top price in sale of 650gns with another shearling ram, Foulrice Saracen, a March, 2017, twin by the Inglis Chalky son, Cwm Dunrig Nelson, out of a dam again sired by Dalby Mount Aloe. Already used successfully in the flock, the ram sold to a relatively new pedigree breeder, Nick Morgan, from Thirsk,

For good measure, the same vendors were also responsible for the second prize ram lamb, a Dalby Sherman son, out of a daughter of Lowereye Neil’s Favourite, sold for 300gns.

Deborah Whitcher, who has the Galtres flock in Skewsby, stood overall reserve champion with the second prize shearling ram, a February, 2017, twin by her father’s Dalby Mount Aloe son, Foulrice Osprey. While this one returned home, Deborah did achieve 400gns with a March, 2017, shearling ram by the home-bred Wern Maverick son, Galtres Result, out of a daughter of Moss Side Nero. This, too, fell to the Richardsons.

Also catching the eye with a 480gns shearling ram sale was Red Rose breeder Mark Worthington, who runs the Moss Side flock in Ramsbottom, with a March, 2017, twin by Wernfawr Rocket, out of a home-bred daughter of the Deborah Whitcher-bred Galtres Faithful. The buyer was George Cropper Jnr, of Baxenden.

Breed enthusiasts will return to Skipton next month for the British Charollais Sheep Society’s annual autumn show and sale of pedigree in-lamb females, on Saturday, October 13.