A CENTRE record for Bluefaced Leicesters was set at Skipton Auction Mart when a Yorkshire Dales father and son bought a shearling ram for 4,000gns (£4,200).

It was purchased at the mart’s annual show and sale of Bluefaced Leicester rams and females.

David and Robin Booth run a flock at Old Hall Cottage, Feizor, near Settle, and their newly-acquired ram will be used within two pedigree, award-winning Bluefaced Leicester and Swaledale flocks - in the latter case to produce the all-purpose North of England Mule.

The ram was from breeders Joe and Nancy Throup, who run the Chelker pedigree flock at Berwick Intake Farm, Draughton, near Skipton.

Fourteen sheep achieved four-figure bids, with the second top call, of 2,100gns, being for a lamb from WM Hutchinson and Sons, of Redgate Farm near Kirkby Stephen.

The animal was the supreme champion, first prize ewe lamb and female champion.

The Hutchinsons had a successful day on their debut appearance at the Skipton breed highlight, also being responsible for the prize ram lamb.

The ram lamb was a son of K8 Shafthill, who has sold pedigree tups to 6,500gns and 5,000gns, and has bred some good-quality Mules. He was out of a dam by the £14,000 H1 Skeughdale, bred by Ravenstonedale’s George Shields, and ultimately hit four figures, going for 1,100gns to JR Addison & Sons, of Bowes, near Barnard Castle.

The Hutchinsons also achieved a 1,000gns sale with another ram lamb son of K8 Shafthill, which fell to John Lancaster, of Bordley.

The fixture attracted a turnout of 222 head and produced the following section averages: ewe lambs - £1,207; aged rams - £451; shearling rams - £521; ram lambs - £447; and shearling ewes - £157.