Records were shattered as Farmers Marts’ second online sheepdog sale came to a spectacular close yesterday.

In what is believed to be a be a new world record price for a sheepdog, the virtual hammer fell at £18,525 for Elan Valley Sally, a black-and-white bitch owned by Brecon triallist David Evans.

Once the 5% buyer’s premium was included, the price came to £19,451, topping the previous best set earlier this year by Northumberland shepherdess Emma Gray.

In February she sold Megan, a two-and-a-half-year-old bitch, to US buyer Brian D Stamps for £18,900 at Skipton auction mart, Yorkshire.

Price rose rapidly for Sally during the two-day auction before she was knocked down to a UK buyer who requested anonymity.

The 19-month-old bitch was bred by Dean Addison of Pen y Garreg, Rhayader, and was sired by Derwen Doug, owned by David Evans’ son Kevin, one of the top trialists of his generation.

With Doug he won the 2018 European Nursery Championships and last year’s International brace competition. The pair were also runners-up in the World Sheep Dog Trials.

Sale leader, and setting what is thought to be a new world record price, was Elan Valley Sally, a 19-month-old bitch from David Evans, Penclyn Farm, Libanus
Sale leader, and setting what is thought to be a new world record price, was Elan Valley Sally, a 19-month-old bitch from David Evans, Penclyn Farm, Libanus

David, from Penclyn Farm, Libanus, Brecon, sold another bitch, 25-month-old Non, for £11,025, having bought her from breeder JE Mumford, Neath.

Son Ken was also in the money, collecting £10,300 for Lynn, a 31-month-old bitch, taking the family’s takings to just shy of £40,000.

Fetching £11,025 was 25-month-old Non, sold by David Evans, who also had the top priced dog
Fetching £11,025 was 25-month-old Non, sold by David Evans, who also had the top priced dog

It was the first time they had sold dogs via an online auction.

“Dad knew Sally was something a bit special when he offered her for sale,” said Kevin.

“She is a quality young bitch with a lovely temperament.

“We didn’t quite know how things would work out with this selling format but it’s worked well.

“We produced a series of videos for Facebook and YouTube, showing the dogs working in different situations, so people were able to take a good look at what was on offer.”

Kevin Evans was a comfortable winner of last December's All Wales sheepdog nursery final in Bodfari, Denbighshire, with Pen Y Borough Roy
Kevin Evans was a comfortable winner of last December's All Wales sheepdog nursery final in Bodfari, Denbighshire, with Pen Y Borough Roy

Second top price at the auction went to Tynygraig Mal, a black-and-white dog from regular sale topper Dewi Jenkins, Tynygraig, Talybont.

The 25-month-old, homebred dog sold for £12,900, having impressed by winning six nursery trials in Ceredigion last winter.

He was billed as powerful farm dog who “will move anything that stands in his way”.

Another to fetch a very healthy price was Cefneithin Gwen, a 23-month-old bitch bred by Sion Jones, Cefn Eithin, Glanrafon, Corwen.

Sired by Aled Owen’s Llangwm Cap, she was knocked down for £8,050.

Selling for £12,900 was Tynygraig Mal from Dewi Jenkins, Tynygraig, Talybont
Selling for £12,900 was Tynygraig Mal from Dewi Jenkins, Tynygraig, Talybont

Rhys Davies, chief executive of Farmers Marts, said he was grateful for the support of so many top breeders and trainers at the firm’s second timed internet sale.

Just five of the 86 entries failed to reach their reserve prices.

“The results of the sale is a testament to the quality of sheepdogs bred and trained here in the UK and in Ireland,” he said.

“There was interest from many countries and with the sale still ongoing a number of dogs are already heading abroad.”