Females were once again the pick of the trade at the third Southdown Sheep society sale this season, with a shearling ewe peaking at 560 guineas from the East Dean flock of D, S & P Humphrey. This shearling ewe, East Dean 13/01368, was selected as show champion by judge Tom Rowlands at the pre sale show and was sold to Robert Cox, Stoney Stanton, Leicestershire.

Buyers were selective and discerning, and quality sheep were in demand. The first placed ewe lamb, Golden Valley 14/00327, led the way for ewe lambs at 300gns, being sold to Victoria and Kathryn Wheeler, Cheltenham, Glos. The second prize ewe lamb, East Dean 14/01715, then sold at 175gns, to Esme Harrison, Lakenheath, Suffolk.

Topping the ram trade at 410gns was a ram lamb from Daniel Bunting’s Golden Valley flock with Golden Valley 14/00320. This first placed ram lamb is by a French sire out of a Spratton ewe and headed home to the Spratton flock of John Hawtin, Weedon, Northampton. The second placed ram lamb from the Montecristo flock of Sophie Arlott, 14/00061, was sold for 300gns.

A Montecristo shearling ram, 13/00041, out of an East Dean ewe by an East Dean sire, led the way in the shearling rams at 390gns.

Averages: eight shearling ewes £183; six ewe lambs £179; two aged rams £115; three shearling rams £271; two ram lambs £355.