Gross takings also hit a record £4.8m – which represents a rise of almost £800,000 on last year’s event. Such was the demand that out of the 3923 rams entered, only 200 failed to find new homes which combined with the 283 that were not forward meant clearance rates were an impressive 95%. Increased demand for Suffolks saw a new centre high amongst the registered and unregistered shearlings too. Jonny Elliot, Roxburgh Mill sold his registered tup for £22,000 which is thought to be the first time a sale leader has been produced from a ewe hogg. And, Derek and Ann Redpath, The Yett, smashed the previous unregistered record, selling naturally born rams at £8500 – twice.