Brecon’s Kevin Evans has once again made his mark on the UK sheepdog scene, taking the two highest prices at the winter working sheepdog sale at CCM Skipton.

The legendary Llwynfedwen-based trainer sold his two-year-old black and white dog, Glebe Fort Cap, for 10,000gns. Earlier in the sale, he sold a three-year-old tri-coloured bitch, Sal, for 9,000gns. The two dogs sold for a combined total of £19,950. Mr Evans has previously achieved top prices at both live and online sales at Skipton.

Glebe Fort Cap is by Evans’ own Hendre Sam, a multiple Open Trials winner, and was part of the 2024 Welsh National Sheep Dog Trials Brace Champions. Cap was sold through online bidding to buyers in Piedmont, Italy. His sister, Glebe Fort Fan, had previously sold for £11,700 at Skipton’s online sale in November.

Sal is a daughter of Clwyd Bob, the 2025 International Supreme Champion. She was sold locally for use on Texel-x sheep. Clwyd Bob also sired the third-highest priced dog at the sale, a 13-month-old black and white bitch called Polly, which sold for 8,500gns. Polly was entered by James White of Ashbourne, Derbyshire, and will be run in next year’s nursery trials by semi-retired trialist Arthur Temple of Cumbria. Polly had been trained from a young age and impressed buyers with her early handling and trial experience.

Other Welsh and local connections included W Davies of Llandrindod Wells, who purchased the two-year-old dog Rio from Ian Sutherland of Strathnaver, Scotland, for 3,600gns. North Craven handler Shaun Richards of Eldroth sold a black and white bitch, Lynn, for 5,200gns. Lynn will work on farm flocks in West Devon, continuing the tradition of fieldwork with fully-trained dogs.

First-time vendor Tim Carey of Mullingar, Ireland, sold his April 2025 black, white and tan bitch, Gwen, for 4,600gns. Mr Carey’s family has operated Tullaghansleek Stud since 1867. Gwen will go to Tom McPhee of Reiss, Scotland, who plans to enter her in trials.

Other notable sales included Paul Bouch of Kirkoswald, Cumbria, selling a two-year-old black and white dog, Bob, for 4,100gns, and Robin Bell of Hawick selling his 2024 black and white dog Jock for 3,800gns. Craig Kempson of Waterfoot, Rossendale, sold a black and white dog, Foxridge Dan, for 3,100gns. Dan is by Middery Frank, a Swedish-bred dog trained by Mr Evans. Roy Canning of Keighley sold a black, white and mottled dog, Rick, for 3,000gns.

Fully-trained dogs at the sale averaged 4,247gns (£4,459). Part-trained dogs averaged 975gns (£1,024), and unbroken pups averaged 257gns (£270). The sale included both field-run and online entries. Several of Mr Evans’ dogs sold through the live online platform, with buyers across the UK and Europe participating in the bidding.

Skipton has been Britain’s leading venue for working sheepdogs since live sales were introduced in 1996. The winter sale attracted buyers and entries from across the UK and Europe, including Scotland, Ireland, and Italy.