Athlone ram sale tops $2600 at Penshurst with a 98 per cent clearance
Summary
A near-total clearance capped a standout sale for the Athlone Poll Dorset and Southdown stud, with buyers taking home 283 of the 286 rams offered for a 98 per cent clearance rate. The Penshurst stud recorded a top price of $2600 on Friday and an overall average of $1520.
The result included 175 of 176 Poll Dorset rams to a top of $2600 at a $1582 average, and 79 of 80 Southdown rams to a top of $2000 at a $1457 average. The stud also sold 28 of 29 Southdown and Poll Dorset cross rams to a top of $2000 at a $1306 average.
The stud principal said the sale had plenty of momentum and that it was fair to say it exceeded expectations. He noted the average was up about $400 on last year and the clearance much better, given the stud sold close to 50 or 60 more rams than in 2025.
The top-priced $2600 Poll Dorset, lot 4, 250025, was a June 2025-drop ram bought by Heazlewood Farming, Chatsworth. The ram recorded a birth weight of 0.25 kilograms, a weaning weight of 8.42 kilograms, a post-weaning weight of 13.11 kilograms and a terminal carcase production index of 137.32.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Rams offered, sold | 286 offered, 283 sold |
| Clearance rate | 98 per cent |
| Overall average | $1520 |
| Top price | $2600 |
| Poll Dorsets sold, top, average | 175 of 176 to $2600 at $1582 |
| Southdowns sold, top, average | 79 of 80 to $2000 at $1457 |
| Cross rams sold, top, average | 28 of 29 to $2000 at $1306 |
| Largest draft | 30 rams to $1800 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What did the Athlone ram sale top at?
The sale topped at $2600 for a Poll Dorset, lot 4. Buyers took 283 of the 286 rams offered for a 98 per cent clearance at an overall average of $1520. Only three rams were passed in.
What did each draft make?
The Poll Dorsets sold 175 of 176 to a $2600 top at a $1582 average. The Southdowns sold 79 of 80 to a $2000 top at a $1457 average. A draft of Southdown and Poll Dorset cross rams sold 28 of 29 to a $2000 top at a $1306 average.
How did the sale compare with last year?
The stud principal said the average was up about $400 on last year and the clearance a lot better, given the stud sold close to 50 or 60 more rams than in 2025. He described the sale as having plenty of momentum and said it exceeded expectations.
Who bought the top-priced ram?
Heazlewood Farming, Chatsworth, took the $2600 June 2025-drop Poll Dorset at lot 4, along with lot 6. The buyer described them as some of the best rams at the sale, chosen on both figures and visual assessment, and will join them to Border Leicester and Merino ewes in January.
What figures did the top-priced ram record?
He recorded a birth weight of 0.25 kilograms, a weaning weight of 8.42 kilograms and a post-weaning weight of 13.11 kilograms. His terminal carcase production index was 137.32.
Who bought the top Southdown and cross rams?
The $2000 Southdown, lot 216, a September 2025-drop, went to a Gringegalgona buyer who will join it with two other Southdowns to a flock of first-cross ewes in January. The $2000 Southdown and Poll Dorset cross ram, lot 192, an August 2025-drop, was bought by Stoneleigh.
Who were the volume buyers?
Moyne Falls, Hawkesdale, bought 30 Poll Dorset and Southdown rams to a top of $1800, to be joined to composite ewes in December. Gritjurk took 10 Southdown rams, joining them to pure 18-micron Merino ewes and targeting the store market, selling predominantly on AuctionsPlus.
Where did the rams sell to?
The stud sold 15 rams into South Australia, while a majority went within an hour or so of Penshurst. The selling agent said the result was very strong and reflective of the studstock industry this year, with only three rams passed in, and noted a few new buyers from south-east South Australia as a bonus. The stud was started in 1990 and has developed a loyal following since.
