JUDGE - SHARON POND, CRANBROOK, KENT
In the Show, top honours went again to Jonathan and Helen Long, Aldington, Kent with their much admired Shearling Ram Chailey Brook 05/001. Having had a successful show season, this Shearling Ram stood champion on the day selling for 430 guineas to A Cartwright. Walsohen, Norfolk.
Top price Shearling Ram however went to D S & P Humphrey, Chichester, West Sussex with East Dean 05/213, previously having been Reserve Male Champion at the Royal Welsh Show selling for 750 guineas to Daniel Bunting, Bedfordshire. Other Rams from the same vendor sold to 420 guineas.
Amongst the Ram Lambs the first consignment from Jonathan and Helen Long of their French bred lambs saw Messrs Wakeham-Dawson and Harmer at Lewes, parting with 300 guineas to secure Chailey Brook 06/007.
It was certainly Ladies Day at Maidstone with the most sound trade being amongst the 36 Shearling Ewes sold peaking at a top of 290 guineas for Wakeham-Dawson and Harmer's Reserve Champion ewe Ridings 05/079 selling to Miss M Williams,Hope,Derbyshire, with 10 from the Ridings Flock levelling at 188 guineas. Other leading consignments included P & R Whitcombe, Farnham with their six New Zealand bred Shearlings averaging 184 guineas and Alice and Daisy Mummery, Canterbury selling six to average 165 guineas.
Older Ewes peaked at 135 guineas twice, with Ewe Lambs a more selective trade to a top of 125 guineas.