Hexham Sale of Breeding Sheep

Hexham Auction Mart

02.10.2025

Hexham and Northern Marts held its first sheep breeding sale of October which incorporated the annual sale of Cheviot Draft Ewes, Gimmers.

The sale started off with a selection of Mule and other Gimmers which met a solid commercial trade throughout with the stronger gimmers meeting a great trade once again.

The Gimmer section was lead by Pure Texels from Mr S T Wood, Shaw Wood which sold to £550.00 and £540.00. D & A Varty, Rothley Crag also sold Pure Texel Gimmers to a nice trade selling to £470.00 and £420.00.

Mule Gimmers topped at £268.00 for a powerful pen of homebred ex. Blackface’s from RW & K Telford, Low Barton. The same home also sold another pen to £255.00. The Royal Society Wildlife Trust, Blueburn sold a very stylish pen of 25 and well turned out by Shepherd, David Milburn for £252.00.

A handful of Cheviot Mule gimmers on offer this week sold to £250.00 from Mr Alan  Ogle, Comb Hills.

Beltex gimmers from W S Robson, Yatesfield found a new home in Roxburghshire for £300.00.

A Small entry of Texel cross gimmers this sale sold to a high of £262.00 for a smart pen of Texel x Cheviot Mules from Mr I Hamilton, Claywalls.

First lot into the ring today was some Pure Ryeland Gimmers from S Archer, Stone Stile which were very sought after and after some fierce bidding, changed hands for £255.00.

Leading prices;

Gimmers

Texel – £550, £540 & £400 Shaw Wood

Texel x – £262 Claywalls, £220 Holly Hill West, £210 Rock South, £208 Holly Hill West, £205 High Weldon, £200 Middle Steads, Holly Hill West, Comb Hills & Rock South

Beltex – £300 Yatesfield

Mule – £268 & £255 Low Barton, £252 Blueburn, £242 Hotbank, £240 Blueburn & Claywalls, £235 Claywalls, Low Barton & Holling Hill

Cheviot Mule – £250 Comb Hills, £245 Flotterton

Jacob – £215 Comb Hills

Kerry Hill – £205 Comb Hills

Older Ewes

Older Mule ewes were once again in great demand here at Hexham and easily sold. The annual consignment from W S Robson, Yatesfield were sought after as usual and sold extremely well with their four crop ewes selling to £240.00. The same home also went on to sell three and four crop Pure Beltex ewes for the same price.

One Crop Suffolk cross ewes from JA Scott, Elf Hills sold to £205.00.

Leading prices;

Texel – £470 & £420 Rothley Crag

Mule – £240 Yatesfield, £205 Glencroft

Suffolk x – £205 & £195 Elf Hills

Beltex – £240 Yatesfield

Dorper – £200 & £130 Emmaville House

Holling Hill Dispersal

The company were instructed to disperse the renowned Mid Northumberland Mule flock from brothers, Derek and Vincent Milburn, Holling Hill. This flock has a tremendous reputation of producing some of the finest prime and breeding sheep and was very well supported when they came up for sale. This closed flock was brought out to perfection by Shepherd David Wood and went on to peak at £235.00 for gimmers with one and two crop ewes seeing a highs of £222.00. The older three and four crop ewes sold extremely well selling to £195.00. A pen of 12 terrific Beltex Charollais ewe lambs also went on to realise £195.00. The company would like to thank Derek, Veronica, Vincent and Libby for their support over the years and wish them all the very best for the future.

Texel x – £222 Holling Hill

Mule – £222, £215 x2, £195 x3, £192, £188 & £185 Holling Hill

Cheviot Drafts and Gimmers

A small offering of Cheviot Gimmers were forward this year but these still sold well with Black Cheviot Gimmers from JT & N Monkhouse, Gilside sold to £235.00. Gimmers from Quickening Cote Partners went on to peak at £205.00.

The annual Cheviot Drafts Sale was held and saw great returns leaving vendors extremely happy with their days trade and saw and much increased average on the year totaling £164.00.

A great trade was seen for Cheviot Drafts this year with increased demand. These sold to a high of £180.00 for a very strong pen of 53 six year olds from Mr F T Walton, Wholehope. A big penful of very breedy types from Shilmoor went on to sell for £170.00.

Leading prices;

Ewes – £180 & £170 Flotterton, £162 Quickeningcote, £160 Dudlees & Quickeningcote

Gimmers – £235 & £230 Gilside, £205 Quickeningcote

Rock South Dispersal

The company were very grateful to be asked to disperse the flock of Cheviot Ewes from J Walton & Son, Rock South due to a change in farming policy. These well-bodied and well put together types were eagerly bid for and sold well with the Gimmers selling to £235.00. The older ewes looked well sold as with the other drafts, with three crop ewes selling to a high of £180.00. Texel cross Cheviot gimmers went on to see a high of £210.00. 

Leading prices;

Ewes – £180, £172, £168, £166 & £165 Rock South

Gimmers – £235 Rock South

Mule Ewe Lamb

A small offering of Mule Ewe lambs this sale which sold to a selective trade. This section was topped at £180.00 from E Thoburn & Son, Pitland Hills. M G Robson & Son, Hole Farm sold a bonny penful to £170.00.

Leading prices;

Mule – £182 Pitland Hills, £170, £162 & £152 Hole Farm

Other Ewe Lambs

Texel – £205 Rothley Crag

Texel x – £170 Rothley Crag

Beltex x – £165 Redsteads

Dorper – £160 Emmaville House