Champion and Reserve, from P & O Grant
Top price - Derg Idol, 15,000gns
It’s a Hit! Derg Idol Belts Out 15,000gns in NI Dutch Spotted Export Sale
BALLYMENA, Friday 25th July 2025 – Dutch Spotted breeders and buyers from across the UK and Ireland descended on Ballymena Livestock Market for the NI Dutch Spotted Export Show and Sale, which saw trade peak at a stunning £15,000 and averages that reflected continued confidence in the breed.
Under the expert eye of Judge Andy Beattie, the pre-sale show featured top-quality stock from many of the leading names in Dutch Spotted breeding, culminating in a fast-paced sale that produced an overall average of £1,066.
In the show, Paddy and Orla Grant of the Craigdoo flock stole the spotlight by taking Overall Champion and Female Champion with their outstanding gimmer, Craigdoo Hotty. Hotty made waves in the sale ring too, selling for 4,500gns to Henry Jewitt, Durham. The stylish gimmer, admired for her sharp breed character and correctness, carries proven genetics – her dam, Craigdoo Foxy, was Reserve Overall Champion at Balmoral 2023 and continues to make her mark in the breed.
Adding to Foxy’s legacy, she is also the dam of this year’s Reserve Champion and Male Champion, Craigdoo Influencer, a powerful ram lamb who later sold for 5,000gns to John Harbinson, Glenkeen. Influencer wowed both the judge and bidders, reinforcing the strength of the Craigdoo breeding programme.
The Reserve Female Champion title went to Drumquin Ireland, a smart ewe lamb from newcomer Alan Boyd, Drumquin. Making his mark in style, Boyd’s first outing at the Export Show saw him claim a major rosette in a competitive female line-up – a clear sign of things to come from the Drumquin flock.
McAllister Livestock continued their strong presence in the breed by taking the Reserve Male Champion title with their impressive shearling ram, Artnagullion Halfwit. Halfwit is a full brother to last year’s 13,500gns sale topper, Artnagullion Halfpint, and lived up to the family name both in the show ring and in the sale, where he realised 4,500gns and heads across the water to Derek Steen, Dumfries.
Top price on the day came in the ram lamb section, where Derg Idol, from S. Allen & A. Shortt, was knocked down for a spectacular £15,000. Idol, a powerful and stylish lamb, caught the eye of a high-profile buying syndicate including Dwayne Shiels, Janine Porter & Curtis Stewart, Stuart Henderson, and Andy & Janet Carson, with the Derg flock retaining a share. Idol heads into top breeding programmes across the UK and Ireland and adds further prestige to the Derg prefix. Ram lambs averaged £1,291, with breeders rewarded for bringing forward stock of real depth and class.
Females also sold well, with Ballintur Ivanna from Seamus Killen, Rostrevor, topping the ewe lamb trade at £1,700. She was snapped up by Gavin Hayes, Lisburn. Ivanna is a full sister to the second-placed ewe lamb at the recent National Show in Armagh, who was also sold at Ballymena for £1,000 to Declan McGettigan, Donegal. Ewe lambs averaged £485, reflecting a steady demand for correct, well-bred young females.
Another standout from the Derg team was Derg Halo, the top price gimmer, selling for 6,000gns. Halo is a full sister to the 10,000gns Derg Hercules, and her sale marks another successful chapter in the Derg flock's growing reputation for breeding quality females with proven genetics and performance.
With strong prices across all categories and spirited bidding from both ringside and online, the 2025 NI Dutch Spotted Export Sale confirmed the breed’s ever-growing appeal. The sale once again proved to be a key fixture in the pedigree calendar, thanks to the calibre of stock on offer and the commitment of breeders pushing for excellence.
Organisers extended thanks to all vendors, buyers, stewards, and sponsors for their support and look forward to welcoming everyone back for an even bigger 2026 event.
Show Results:
Champion & Female Champion: Craigdoo Hotty, P & O Grant
Reserve Champion & Male Champion: Craigdoo Influencer
Reserve Female Champion: Drumquin Ireland, A Boyd
Reserve Male Champion: Artnagullion Halfwit, McAllister Livestock
Top Prices:
Ram Lambs: Derg Idol, S Allen & A Shortt – 15,000gns
Craigdoo Influencer, P & O Grant – 5,000gns
Straidrock I Am Maximus, P Thompson – 3,000gns
Craigdoo in the Mix, P & O Grant – 2,800gns
Kirkinriola I’m The Man, R & J King – 1,800gns
Shearling Rams: Artnagullion Halfwit, McAllister Livestock – 4,500gns
Ewe Lambs: Ballintur Ivanna, S Killen – 1,700gns
Drumquin Ireland, A Boyd – 1,100gns
Balllintur Ivory, S Killen – 1,000gns
Mullaghwee I Candy, M Wright – 1,000gns
Shearling Ewes: Derg Halo, S Allen & A Shortt – 6,000gns
Craigdoo Hotty, P & O Grant – 4,500gns
Ballintur Hannah, S Killen – 3,000gns
Milltown Hot Babe, A & J Carson – 2,800gns
Artnagullion Honeysuckle, McAllister Livestock – 2,400gns
