Mountdale Flock crowned NI Dorset champion ahead of Ballymena sale

Ellen McClure’s group of ewe lambs 

One of Northern Ireland’s leading pedigree Dorset sheep flocks has been crowned overall champion in this year’s Northern Ireland Dorset Horn & Polled Sheep Breeders’ Club Flock Competition, with the prestigious awards setting the stage for the club’s annual premier show and sale in Ballymena later this month.

The competition, judged by James and Craig Robson of the Ballyhamage Flock, recognised outstanding breeding, stock quality and flock management from across Northern Ireland, with Dundrod breeder Ellen McClure’s Mountdale Flock taking the coveted Overall Champion Flock title for the second time.

The annual competition is regarded as one of the most important fixtures in the Dorset sheep calendar, with success often providing a significant boost ahead of the club’s 54th Annual Premier Show & Sale at Ballymena Livestock Mart on Monday, July 27.

Mountdale continues winning form

In addition to the overall championship, Ellen McClure won the Medium Flock section and claimed first place in the Group of Ewe Lambs competition.

Her senior ram, Rivervalley Hunter, was selected as the best Senior Ram by the judges. Bred by Ella and Harris Kennedy, Hunter is a son of Sherborne Falcon and Ashvale D0338 and has already produced progeny across the UK and Ireland.

Many of the prize-winning ewe lambs were sired by Rivervalley Hunter, while homebred rams Mountdale Gladiator and Mountdale Geezer also featured prominently in the breeding programme.

McClure’s success extended further with second place in the Group of Rams class, while her junior rams Galgorm Icarus and Schoolhouse Ignitor finished third and fourth respectively.

Having established the Mountdale Flock in 2012, Ellen now runs around 45 pedigree breeding ewes and will offer a pen of ewe lambs from her championship-winning bloodlines at the upcoming Ballymena sale.

Reserve champions recognised

Steven and Stuart Lyons’ Bencran Flock secured the Reserve Champion Flock title after also winning the Large Flock section.

The Tyrone brothers manage around 70 pedigree Dorset breeding ewes alongside a 240-cow dairy enterprise. They have bred Dorsets since 2004 after their grandfather purchased their first 10 ewe lambs.

Their recent success also extends beyond Northern Ireland, with the flock earning Reserve Champion Flock, Best Medium Flock and second place in the Group of Ewe Lambs at the 2026 National Flock Competition.

Meanwhile, Mark Hamilton’s Cavandarragh Flock won the Small Flock section and also featured prominently in the individual classes, with Carnlea Grandslam taking third in the Senior Ram competition and the flock finishing third in the Group of Rams.

William McCully’s Closkelty Flock was named Best New Entrant, while Rachel Moore’s Lisnafillan Iceman claimed the Junior Ram title.

Samuel and Elaine Caldwell also enjoyed a successful competition, winning the Group of Rams class and finishing runner-up in both the Medium Flock and Junior Ram categories.

Show and sale returns to Ballymena

Attention now turns to the Northern Ireland Dorset Horn & Polled Sheep Breeders’ Club’s 54th Annual Premier Show & Sale at Ballymena Livestock Mart on Monday, July 27.

Showing will begin at 12.30pm, with the sale scheduled to start at 5.30pm. Online bidding will once again be available through Marteye.

Dorset Premier Show and Sale judge Joe Redford  

The event will be judged by Joe Redford of the Pegasus Flock in Walkden, Manchester, who was Overall Champion at the 2024 National Dorset Show held at the Royal Lancashire Show.

For further information and the sale catalogue, breeders and prospective buyers can visit the Northern Ireland Dorset Horn & Polled Dorset Sheep Breeders’ Club website or Facebook page.

2026 Dorset Flock Competition results

Overall Champion Flock

• Ellen McClure – Mountdale Flock

Reserve Champion Flock

• Steven & Stuart Lyons – Bencran Flock

Small Flock

• 1st Mark Hamilton – Cavandarragh Flock

• 2nd Adam Scullion – Dungorberry Flock

• 3rd Nicole Love – Glebe Hill Flock

• 4th William McCully – Closkelty Flock

Medium Flock

• 1st Ellen McClure – Mountdale Flock

• 2nd Samuel & Elaine Caldwell – Ballymaconnelly Flock

• 3rd Kyle Bradshaw – Derryhennett Flock

Large Flock

• 1st Steven Lyons – Bencran Flock

• 2nd Rachel Moore – Bannside Flock

Senior Ram (excluding Ballyhamage stock rams)

• 1st Rivervalley Hunter – Ellen McClure

• 2nd Ballytaggart Glenfiddich – J & G Carson

• 3rd Carnlea Grandslam – Mark Hamilton

• 4th Whitehill Drink Up – T McConaghie

Junior Ram

• 1st Lisnafillan Iceman – Rachel Moore

• 2nd Downkillybegs Ice King – Samuel & Elaine Caldwell

• 3rd Galgorm Icarus – Ellen McClure

• 4th Schoolhouse Ignitor – Ellen McClure

Group of Rams

• 1st Samuel & Elaine Caldwell – Ballymaconnelly Flock

• 2nd Ellen McClure – Mountdale Flock

• 3rd Mark Hamilton – Cavandarragh Flock

• 4th Rachel Moore – Bannside Flock

Group of Ewe Lambs

• 1st Ellen McClure – Mountdale Flock

• 2nd Kyle Bradshaw – Derryhennett Flock

• 3rd Mark Hamilton – Cavandarragh Flock

• 4th Samuel & Elaine Caldwell – Ballymaconnelly Flock

Best New Entrant

• William McCully – Closkelty Flock