Ramsgate Poll Merino stud caps its final Tintinara sale with a record $2385 average and $10,500 top-priced ram
Summary
The Ramsgate Poll Merino stud delivered its best-ever result at the 18th annual on-property sale at Tintinara, where 86 of 100 rams sold to average $2385 - a lift of nearly $700 on the 2025 sale. The milestone auction doubled as a farewell, with the stud's operators announcing their retirement from farming and plans to offer the entire flock as a whole, with details to follow. Bidding opened strongly when Lot 1, a 16.2 micron son of Forest Springs 230059, sparked a bidding war before selling for the $10,500 top price. The ram carried a balanced set of ASBVs, ranking in the top 10 per cent on the Sheep Genetics database for the sustainable Merino index at 163, alongside a standard deviation of 2.4, coefficient of variation of 15.1 and comfort factor of 99.6 per cent. A Wharminda stud secured Lot 5, a top 10 per cent yearling clean fleece weight ram, for $5000, while Lot 2, a half-brother to the sale topper at 18.3 micron, made $7000. Twenty-one rams sold at $1000 as buyers found value late in the catalogue. Nearly 40 registered bidders formed the biggest crowd seen at a Ramsgate auction, travelling from the Far West Coast of South Australia to Culcairn in New South Wales and clearing 14 more rams than 2025. Volume support came from Coolangatha, Kangaroo Head, which bought six rams averaging $3317, and Pine Ridge Pastoral, Chiton, also taking six at a $1517 average. The stud's final offering will be five rams reserved for the Classings Classic sale at Murray Bridge on September 7.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Top price | $10,500 |
| Rams sold | 86 of 100 |
| Average price | $2385 |
| Increase on 2025 average | nearly $700 |
| Top ram fibre diameter | 16.2 micron |
| Sustainable Merino index (top ram) | 163 |
| Registered bidders | nearly 40 |
| Rams sold at $1000 | 21 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was the top price at the sale?
The sale high was $10,500, paid for Lot 1, a 16.2 micron son of Forest Springs 230059. The ram sparked a bidding war after impressing buyers with its fibre quality.
How many rams sold and what was the average?
A total of 86 rams sold from 100 offered, averaging $2385. That average was nearly $700 higher than the 2025 result.
Why was this described as the stud's best-ever result?
The 18th annual on-property sale at Tintinara produced the highest average and a strong clearance in the stud's history. It also cleared 14 more rams than in 2025.
Is the stud continuing?
The operators announced their retirement from farming, making this their final sale. They hope the stud will continue and plan to offer the flock as a whole, with details to be released soon.
What were the top ram's wool measurements?
The ram measured 16.2 micron with a standard deviation of 2.4, a coefficient of variation of 15.1 and a comfort factor of 99.6 per cent. It also ranked in the top 10 per cent for the sustainable Merino index at 163.
Who were the main volume buyers?
Coolangatha, Kangaroo Head, bought six rams for a $3317 average, and Pine Ridge Pastoral, Chiton, also took six at a $1517 average. Buyers travelled from the Far West Coast of South Australia to Culcairn in New South Wales.
How large was the crowd?
Nearly 40 registered bidders attended, described as the biggest crowd seen at a Ramsgate auction. Twenty-one rams sold at $1000 as buyers found value later in the catalogue.
What happens to the stud's final offering?
Five rams have been reserved for the Classings Classic sale at Murray Bridge on September 7. This will be the stud's last Ramsgate offering.
