Tow Law Mule Gimmer Lambs
Hexham Auction Mart
24.09.2026
Hexham and Northern Marts held their Annual “Tow Law” Mule Gimmer Lamb Sale on behalf of the Weardale branch of NEMSA with another fantastic entry with 6100 lambs catalogued this year.
The highly contested pre-sale show was judged by highly regarded Mule Gimmer Lamb purchaser, Mr H Tustian, Banbury. Mr Tustian had to cast his eye over twelve magnificent pens of lambs, which were a credit to all consignors, especially given the hard, dry summer faced this year.
Judging this year’s runs of 100 or more this year was put into the very capable hands of Mr G Porter, Riddings Farm.
The awards for the day are as follows;
Prize List:
Pens of 10
1st – W M Reed & Sons, Lands Farm
2nd – Messrs K & H A Ridley, Allenshields
3rd – I Potts, Redburn
4th – R Collingwood, Stewartshield Meadows
Runs of 100
1st – T A Collingwood & Sons, Ambling Gate
2nd – W J Scott Ltd, Low Leam
3rd – R & M J Lee, Harwood Shield
As per usual the pens of 10 were judged first through the ring and presented before the judge, after close inspection and much deliberation after a close contest between the top four pens, Mr Tustian awarded the GW Robinson, Rosebowl and Champion NEMSA rosette to John, Steven and Andrew Reed, Lands Farm. This is truly a magnificent feat as this is now the ninth consecutive year the Reeds have won the coveted trophy. This pen, a terrific example of the breed was highly sought after by many Mule enthusiasts and sold to a record price of £820.00, selling to W Richardson & Son, Ghyll House.
After the single pens were judged, the best runs of 100 were inspected by Mr G Porter, Riddings Farm who awarded the William Reed Perpetual Trophy for the best run of 100 lambs to T A Collingwood & Sons, Ambling Gate.
Another great show of sheep again this year, where lambs were possibly not as strong as last year, and this year’s severe dry spell would certainly make it challenging for producers. This said lambs were an absolute credit to all that consigned them.
After the show had concluded the sale set off in earnest with the first pen of the day from Craig & Charlotte Ridley, Lilswood Grange selling to £290.00.
Six pens broke the £300.00 barrier on the day. A very strong, powerful pen that had terrific breed character from R & M J Lee, Harwood Shield exchanged hands at £345.00, selling to renowned Mule purveyor, PJ Elliot, Bank House.
Closely behind was a very bonny pen from Tow Law sale stalwart, Mr I Potts, Redburn. The third prize winners went on to sell for £340.00 selling to the judge.
Trade for both tuppers and runners was very strong and saw an extreme lift on the year, runners especially took an extreme lift with some seeing a rise of £60-£70/head. Tupping lambs saw a nice lift of £30-40/head this year.
The raise was aided by fresh faces who joined the regular attendees here at the Hexham ringside, this being due to the great reputation of the Tow Law Gimmer lambs for growing into great sheep later in life and making powerful shearlings.
Credit must go to all these consignors who continue to breed these functioning Mule sheep that have size, power and breed type.
This years fantastic sale saw a wonderful sale average of £201.60 (+£44.60), it was great to see new vendors taking full advantage of the auction ring this year and more lambs could have been sold.
Special thanks must go to our regular sponsor for the sale, Peter Monkhouse Haulage Ltd, Wolsingham. Your generous support is greatly appreciated.
Leading Flock Averages;
| TRADING NAME | FARM NAME | TOP | TOTAL | AVERAGE |
| Airey Bros | Brownchesters | £ 265.00 | 21 | £257.14 |
| B W S Verrill | Sundaysight | £ 255.00 | 70 | £227.29 |
| K & H A Ridley | Allenshields | £ 330.00 | 153 | £225.54 |
| C & C Ridley | Lilswood Grange | £ 290.00 | 72 | £225.50 |
| R & M J Lee | Harwood Shield | £ 345.00 | 160 | £224.66 |
| W M Reed & Son | Lands Farm | £ 820.00 | 390 | £223.42 |
| W J Scott Ltd | Low Leam | £ 330.00 | 494 | £218.70 |
| I Potts | Redburn | £ 340.00 | 335 | £215.21 |
| R Collingwood | Stewartshield Meadows | £ 300.00 | 125 | £214.61 |
| Messrs Moore | Softley | £ 215.00 | 36 | £213.33 |
| W Parker & Sons | West Greenridge | £ 265.00 | 162 | £206.91 |
| W Wearmouth & Son | Rosehill | £ 255.00 | 82 | £206.56 |
| T A Collingwood & Sons | Ambling Gate | £ 270.00 | 215 | £206.24 |
| W Parker & Sons | Spittalshield | £ 225.00 | 304 | £200.32 |
Leading prices;
£820 Lands Farm, £345 Harwood Shield, £340 Redburn, £330 Allenshields & Low Leam, £300 Stewart Shield Meadows, £290 Lilswood Grange, £270 Ambling Gate & Redburn, £265 Brownchesters & Spital Shield, £255 Harwood Shield & Low Leam & Rosehill & Sundaysight & Woodhall, £250 Brownchesters & Woodhall, £248 Allenshields & Redburn, £245 Harwood Shield & Lands Farm & Low Leam & Sundaysight, £235 Harwood Shield & Low Leam & Redburn, £232 Devonport Farms & Redburn, £230 Lilswood Grange & Low Leam x3 & Rosehill & Stewart Shield Meadows, £228 Lilswood Grange & Redburn, £225 Allenshields & Ambling Gate & Lands Farm & Spital Shield & West Biggins, £222 Ambling Gate & Lands Farm & Longlea & Low Leam & Redburn & Wolsingham Park Farms, £220 Allenshields x2 & Ambling Gate x2 & Bollihope Shield & Lands Farm x2, £218 Allenshields & Devonport Farms x2 & Lands Farm & Low Leam, £215 Allenshields & Harwood Shield & Low Leam x3 & Ouston x2 & Redburn & Softley Farm & Spital Shield & Stewart Shield Meadows & Sundaysight & West Newlandside & Woodhall, £212 Low Leam & Rosehill & Spital Shield, £210 Ambling Gate & Lands Farm & Lilswood Grange & Low Leam x2 & Redburn & Softley Farm & Spital Shield x2 & West Biggins & West Newlandside & Woodhall, £208 Allenshields x2 & Bollihope Shield & Devonport Farms x2 & Harwood Shield & Lands Farm x2 & Low Leam & Stewart Shield Meadows & Sundaysight, £205 Devonport Farms & Lands Farm x2 & Low Leam & Redburn & Stewart Shield Meadows x2 & West Biggins & Wolsingham Park Farms