A £10,100 top price highlighted the first CCM Skipton Spring online working sheepdog sale of the year, with Welsh handlers among the top performers.

The sale high went to a part-broken 13-month-old black-and-white bitch, Sue, bred by first-time vendor John Ollerenshaw, of Bolsterstone, South Yorkshire. Sired by Welsh handler Dai Howells’ Cai and out of the breeder’s own work bitch Jess, Sue attracted a flurry of late bids before being bought by Irish trial legend Con McGarry, of Ballyglass, Co. Roscommon.

South-West Wales handler Llion Harries, from Crymych, Pembrokeshire, sold his two-year-old black, white and mottled bitch, Preseli Lass, for £9,000. She will remain in Wales with new owner Eilir Jones, of Newcastle Emlyn, replacing a late 17-year-old trial dog and working on a flock of 500 Texel-x and Mule-x ewes.

Powys handlers also achieved strong prices. Trystan Davies, of Gwyddil Sheepdogs, Kerry, sold his 11-month-old black-and-white bitch, Gwyddil Kim, for £3,800. Kim, sired by Llanfarian Mirk out of Gwyddil Lass, will go north to Dumfries and Galloway with John Paterson, of Newton Stewart.

Leading local breeder Kevin Evans, of Llwynfedwen, Brecon, sold his 23-month-old Paddy, son of his multiple Open winner Hendre Sam, for £3,700 to James Edwards, of Welshpool. Paddy will remain in Powys working on local flocks.

Other notable Welsh sales included unbroken pups from Dewi Jenkins, Tynygraig, Ceredigion, selling for £4,500 and £4,400. East Yorkshire’s 95-year-old John Bell secured £6,000 for a 15-month-old black-and-white bitch, Kim, sired by Powys-based Ross Games’ Néifinn Boy.

Among an entry of 51, all tastes and pockets were again catered for. Fully-trained dogs averaged £4,577, part-broken £1,362 and unbroken pups £433.

Skipton’s next working sheepdog sale is a live fixture on Friday, May 22, with entries closing May 4.