Brecon sheepdog handler and breeder Kevin Evans has once again led the field at CCM Skipton’s timed online winter working sheepdog sale, securing the top price and one of the strongest overall performances at the North Yorkshire auction.

Mr Evans, of Llwynfedwen, a five-time ISDS International Supreme Champion and one of Wales’ best-known breeders and handlers, achieved a combined £20,400 for three dogs – two fully trained and one unbroken – each by different sires that have helped shape the Skipton market in recent years.

His standout entry, Glebe Fort Fan, a 20-month-old black-and-white bitch, fetched £11,700, well ahead of the rest of the catalogue. Fan is by Hendre Sam, a multiple open winner and Welsh Nursery Champion, and out of a bitch bred by Irish handler Tom O’Sullivan. Recently mated to Tedd, an emerging Evans-bred dog, Fan attracted major overseas interest before being sold to Martine Campagnett of Vailhauquès in southern France.

Mr Evans’ second fully trained dog, Wheatwood Jock, an 18-month-old black-and-white dog by Thornbury Max, sold for £4,600 and will remain in Wales with Carmarthenshire buyers EW & SL Thomas.

He also topped the unbroken section with Ruby, a ten-week-old red-and-white pup by Swedish import Midderry Frank. Showing early promise, Ruby made £4,100 and heads to Swiss buyer Iris Schnetz.

There was further local success when Claire Slater, also of Brecon, achieved the second-highest unbroken price with her September-born red-and-white bitch, Nant-y-Moel Ruby, which sold for £1,950 to a buyer in Buckinghamshire.

Elsewhere, Sheffield handler Jim Alton achieved the second-highest overall price at £5,600 with his two-year-old bitch, Nel. Derbyshire breeder David Wood topped the part-broken section at £5,300 with Rip, a February-born dog by Cai, bred by Welsh triallist David Howells.

In total, 36 of the 47 entries found new homes.