The 2023 Clun Forest Sale at Ludlow

The Pen-Y-Wern Flock of A. E. Williams & Son led the field at the 98th sale of Clun Forest Sheep at McCartneys’ Ludlow on Friday 8th September. Having earlier in the day taken the Overall Male Championship for a record 17th time judged by Nigel Faulkner, the shearling ram Pen-Y-Wern First Class sired by Aber-Rheon Darcy reached top price of 1200 gns being knocked down to Cefin & Nia Price at Llanfair Caereinion. This price was matched by later in their run when Pen-Y-Wern Frank again by Aber-Rheon Darcy went to Evan Jones, Walton Flock in Presteigne.
The Reserve Male Champion belong to the stock ram of dispersing flock Richard and Celia Price – Eryri Emperor who reached 300 gns and was sold to Kira Newey of Llandinam. Rams sold to a brisk pace under the command of Clive Roads with shearling rams averaging 482gns. The Highest priced Ram lamb accolade also class winner Trewyrlod Glen by Aber-Rheon Ebenezer from the Price’s making 430 gns to I.T. Davies & Son, Brecon
However, it was in the female ring where records where broken. It was the single Shearling Ewe of Anna Pennell’s Nipna flock from North Yorkshire that took the tricolour under judge Mr Brian Roberts. Making Anna’s debut at the society sale, the shearling ewe went on to make 580gns being sold to the Windsor flock of Andrew and Jane Phillips in Pembrokeshire – not only a shearling ewe record but also the overall female sale record for the breed by some distance.
This was not the only record broken in what was a lit-up female ring. The ewe lamb record was made when I T Davies & Son sold their first placed ewe lamb for 350 gns, just up on last years record, to David Beech of Uttoxeter.  The fierce bidding for the stunning females in the Trewyrlod run led to the Aged Ewe record being broken no fewer than 3 times by the Trewyrlod Flock.  The final time was for a delightful 3-shear Trewyrlod Ewe, who was 3rd in her class to Mike Eckley’s Court-Llacca Flock making 490gns and doubling the previous record set last year. It was rewarding to see brisk trade for the females with several ewes sold to Dutch breeders, who had made the trip over to see the sale.
The sale marked the sad dispersal of three renowned flocks – Richard & Ceila Prices’ Trewylod flock, Debs’ Searles Pixie Flock and Sandra Edwards Wollerton Flock. We wish them all well with their future projects.