The atmosphere was electric in the small, historic market in Sennybridge, nestled in the Brecon Beacons, and this was reflected in the trade, with 30 rams selling in excess of 3,000gns.
Prices peaked at 10,000gns for a yearling ram from D. M. Jones, Crai, Brecon, which was knocked down to the Davies family, Tirmawr, Brecon. It was the only ram of its kind on offer that day, only having one testicle but sold in full faith, backed by its breeders and accompanied with a semen test certificate.
The father and son judging duo, Brian and Robert Thomas, Llanddeusant tapped out a home-bred ram from G. Davies, Pantglas, Trecastle as champion. True to the type that the Thomas family breed, they backed their decision and bought the ram for 9,000gns.
G. Meredith, Llanbadarn Fynydd, Newtown, bought a yearling for 7,200gns from young breeder, Caryl Howells, Llanddeusant, Carmarthenshire. After the sale, Miss Howells was awarded the prize for the highest pen average of £3,759 for her five rams.
Going back to Nantgwynne with D. Morgan was the third ram in the run from D. and M. Prosser and H. Jones, Blaenglyn, Libinus, Brecon, which made 6,500gns.
The first of four rams to sell for 6,000gns came from P. and M. Davies, Tirmawr, Brecon, and was bought by Llanguirg based E. T. Bound.
Based in Llanstephan on the Radnorshire border, the Joseph family were next to secure 6,000gns for their yearling ram which was bought by Aron Hemmings, Crosshands.
The first of the run from J. C. and D. Jones, Belfont, Trecastle sold for the same price to the Phillips family, Sennybridge.
The final ram to achieve the 6,000gns price tag was from the same pen as the reserve champion from T. B. Phillips, Libinus, which sold to Messrs Davies.
After claiming third prize in the pre-sale show, a ram from D. G. and B. Thomas, Aberdyfnant, Llanddeusant joined Messrs Bound for 5,800gns.
Next in line was the second prize yearling and reserve champion from T. B. Phillips, Libinus. changed hands for 5,500gns to J. C. and D. Jones, Trecastle.
The Joseph family, Brecon, paid 5,500gns for the first of the run from D. G. and B. Thomas who then bought a yearling from P. and M. Davies for the same money.
Another J. C. and D. Jones ram went under the hammer for 5,200gns, which went home to the Cnewr Estate, Sennybridge.
T. B. Phillips took the next two places on the chart, with a ram going to D. R. Price, Garreglwyd, Llanddeusant for 5,000gns and the second selling for 4,500gns to Ben Amphlett, Brecon.
J. S. Abel, Llanidloes chose the highest price in the pen from I.G and M. E. Jones, Pwll Isaf, Llanddeusant for 4,000gns.
Aged rams peaked at 2,500gns for a two-year-old ram bred by D. G. and B. Thomas, brought forward by the Joseph family after winning the aged ram class. It was knocked down to Messrs T. B. Phillips.
Top flock averages:
C. Howells, Nantgwynne, 5 rams, £3,759; T. B. Phillips and Co, Twyn Neuadd, 13 rams, £2,818; G. Davies and Co, Pantglas, 9 rams, £2,706; J. R. Joseph and Co, Lloyney, 15 rams, £2,586; P. and M. Davies, Tirmawr, 11 rams, £2,405; I. G. and M. E. Jones and Co, Pwll Isaf, 12 rams ,£2,266; D. G. and B. Thomas, Aberdyfnant, 13 rams, £2,222; J. C. and D. Jones, Belfont, 7 rams, £2,184.
Averages – 266 yearling rams, £1,438.50; 6 aged rams, £856.80 (+£13.30)
Auctioneers: Clee Tompkinson and Francis.
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