BLUE-Faced Leicester rams were once again the top performers on price at Skipton Auction Mart’s multi-breed sheep showcase.

The leading price of 2,000gns fell to the third prize ram lamb from the Smearsett pedigree flock of WA and A Booth, from Old Hall Farm, Feizor.

It joined well-known Ashley and Rachael Caton, who run the Otterburn Lodge pedigree flock between Gargrave and Long Preston.

Patrick and Janet Walker, and their son Thomas, of Fold Farm, Appletreewick, had the second top price 1,600gns BFL, a three-shear ram, which went home with Cowling’s Andrew Ogden.

Next best on price at 1,200gns was the champion Blue-Faced Leicester shearling ram from Ellis Bros, of Addingham Moorside. It sold to JW Stockdale and Son, of Burnsall.

Entries from John and Claire Mason’s Oddacres flock in Embsay once again proved in demand, with a brace of shearling rams leading the pen at 1,100gns each.

The Masons were also responsible for the first and second prize BFL females. The red rosette winner sold for 200gns, while the runner-up made 150gns. Both fell to NE Turner, of East Torrington.

Reserve BFL champion was the first prize ram lamb from Will Wildman’s Micklaw flock in Kirkby Malham. It sold for 200gns to show judge Jeff Throup, of Silsden.

In the accredited Texel ring, top price achiever at 1,150gns was a shearling ram from David Towell’s Moor Top flock at Upper Leys Farm on Glusburn Moor. The buyer was Robert Bradbury, of Berwick upon Tweed.

Champion in the Texel section was the first prize lamb ram from John and Alison North’s Loxley flock in Giggleswick. It sold to P Smith, of Helmsley, for 400gns.

Reserve champion was the first prize shearling ram from Steve Richardson, who runs the Stonebridge pedigree flock with his wife Sherry, and son Adam, at Great Houghton. It sold for 800gns to JG Pears, of Penistone.

The Suffolk section attracted a strong entry of 503 rams and Mark Evans, of Tower Gate Farm, Steeton, emerged as champion with his first prize ram lamb, which sold for 580gns to Norfolk breeder Gareth Daniels.

Reserve champion was the first prize shearling ram from Bolton Abbey’s Stephen Bolland, which made 360gns when joining W Stapleton and Son in Hellifield.

In the non MV Continental commercial sheep ring, a ram from the Whiteford family led the way, joining Geoff and Margaret Booth in Lothersdale for 1,150gns.

Back in the MV commercial sheep section, Skipton’s Chris Windle achieved joint price at 920gns for his Beltex shearling ram that was reserve champion in its show class. It fell to M Barnes, of Fence.

The champion Beltex was a shearling ram from Anne Story’s Borderesk flock at Longtown, which returned home.

Championship honours in the Charollais classes fell to a home-bred shearling ram from Deborah Whitcher, of Skewsby. The title winner victor sold for 480gns to D Bowler, of Halifax. Deborah also produced the top price 500gns shearling ram, which joined Thimbley Farms in Northallerton.

Her parents, Charles and Valerie Marwood, from Whenby, were responsible for the first prize ram lamb and reserve section champion, which led the class prices at 380gns.

Robert Towers, of Farleton, was responsible for the second prize ram lamb and third prize shearling ram.

The Zwartble show class was won by Matthew Beckwith, of Holme House Farm, Gargrave. His shearling gimmer sold for top price in class of 220gns to Tony Spensley, Matthew’s next door neighbour in Gargrave.