THIS year's entry of 200 Ryelands and 80 Coloured Ryelands saw a dependable trade for quality animals and a new breed record set for Coloured Ryelands at the sale held at Ludlow market on August 25, with an overall clearance rate of 85%.

A strong entry of Coloured Ryelands, with females in particular demand, was topped by a shearling ewe from the Snelson flock of M Varmen.

Winning the overall Coloured Ryeland Champion in the morning's show classes, jointly judged by S Bryden, Lockerbie, and S Bradbury, Narberth, this yearling went on to sell for a record of 1400gns. Bred by Mrs Varmen, who only started keeping Coloured Ryelands four years ago, out of a Barony ewe and sired by Yorvik Viking, she now goes to the Cornish breeder P Wills, a solid supporter of this sale over a number of years.

The Reserve Champion was a ram lamb Ashley Moor Hall Yttrium from the Ludlow based flock of young breeder, Brodie Summerfield. Sired by Ashley Moor Hall Wallaby and out of a home bred ewe, Yttrium was sold for 1000gns to D & J Singleton, Preston.

The winner of the Adult Coloured Ram class was a shearling ram from A & S Owen, Newtown. Siandy Xcalibur, sired by Riverside Squire, out of an Ashley Moor Hall ewe.

He sold for 700gns and will join the Roseacre flock of J & L Turner, Halifax.

The highest priced Coloured ewe lamb was a smart lamb from the Mansel flock of RFBS President, Russell Howell and his wife Angela. Sired by Mansel Starlight, also out of a home bred ewe, this lamb headed east to join the Old Rectory flock of J & L Hughes, Maldon.

With 200 Ryelands entered, buyers had plenty to choose from, but that didn't spoil the trade.

The top price of the day went to the Ryeland Male Champion, Arberth Xtra Special, from the Pembrokeshire flock of D Lewis. Judged on this occasion by Ms C Jones, Gaerwen, Xtra Special was also the breed champion at this year's Royal Welsh Show and is unbeaten on the show circuit this season.

Sired by Ruslin Leo II and out of a home bred ewe, this handsome ram was sold for 1600gns to IE Edward, Bala.

The second highest priced male of the day was a ram lamb from A Wright. Uppertown Yorick, sired by Arberth Whopper out of a homebred ewe, was sold to W Laurie, Kington for 1150gns.

Top priced female of the day was a fine shearling ewe from the Mansel flock. Placed 5th in the shearling ewe class, judged by A Morgan, Crymych this ewe, sired by Mansel Starlight and from a Mansel ewe, headed north to Yorkshire, purchased by J Walker for 1150gns. Also, from the Mansel flock, was the reserve champion female and winner of the ewe lamb class.

Sired by Ruslin Topnotch and out of a home bred ewe, she was purchased for 610gns and will join the Widgets flock of M & R Price, Bramley, Hants. The female champion, from the Cagedale flock, sold for 620gns to R Kedwards, Eardisley.

Averages: gns Top Price (gns Average)

Ryeland Shearling Ewes: 1150 (327).

Ryeland Breeding Ewes: 450 (230).

Ryeland Ewe Lambs: 610 (219).

Ryeland Shearling Rams: 1600 (412).

Ryeland Senior Rams: 650 (285).

Ryeland Ram Lambs: 1150 (331).

Coloured Ryeland Rams: 700 (279).

Coloured Ryeland Ram Lambs: 1000 (285).

Coloured Ryeland Ewes: 1400 (346).

Coloured Ryeland Ewe Lambs: 630 (266).