The Dalby Ruby Reduction Sale held at Worcester Livestock Market on the 6th June on behalf of the Sercombe family saw a top of 8500gns for Dalby Betty Boo, who was described as a firm favourite within the flock having previously had a successful show career.
By Brettles Antonio and out of the homebred Dalby Veainu daughter, Dalby Woosie Ploosie, she caught the eye of many in the market and after spirited bidding eventually found her new home with Andrew Birkle, Wymeswold, Leicestershire, for his recently established flock. Having stood champion at the Great Yorkshire Show in 2024, this one also carries a muscle figure in the top 10% of the breed and a top 1% scan weight of 12.18.
Sticking with aged ewe trade, the next at 2700gns was Dalby 24PE13269, a 2023-born daughter of Foulrice Ace out of a homebred female by Dalby Tweedle Dum. Another with a top 1% scan weight, she went home with the James family for the Ditton flock at Bridgenorth, Shropshire.
With a strong average of £1815.80 for shearling ewes, the highest priced in this run was Dalby Dolly Parton at 4200gns. By Dalby Ceaser and out of a Foulrice Regis sired ewe, she carries a top 1% growth figure and top 10% muscle figure, as well as an overall top 5% index. She sold via Mart Eye to Liskeard, Cornwall-based Will Whiting for his Fursdon flock.
Dalby Diva La Vida then traded at 3200gns. She is a full ET sister to the previously mentioned Dolly Parton and proved to be the pick of Victoria Ashmore for her Micklehills flock, Leicestershire. Again, this one is in the top 1% for growth.
Following on at 3000gns was Dalby Dirty Diana. A Crogham Windsor daughter, this time out of a Dalby Wappy Chappy daughter, she was knocked down to Stephen Cobbald, Acton, Suffolk, for the recently established Lavenham flock.
At 2900gns was Dalby Dottie Doo being snapped up by Messrs Madders and Johnson, Hopton, Stafford. This one is by Boyo Commander and out of a Brettles Antonio daughter and has a top 5% index of 325.75.
Meanwhile at 2800gns Sam Clark of the Blount flock in Oxon picked out Dalby Dolcie Wolcie. This Edstaston Catch Me If You Can daughter is out of a homebred female and has growth, muscle and overall index figures in the top 1% of the breed.
Then at 2500gns was Dalby Doris. This top 1% growth, muscle and index daughter of Edstaston Catch Me If You Can heads to Whitland in Carmarthenshire, with Arwyn and Jane Thomas.
Averages: 40 flock ewes £1075.20; 30 shearling ewes £1815.80 (McCartneys).
