Claybury ‘Crown Jewels’ shine at Shrewsbury dispersal auction

Buyers from across the Great Britain and Ireland converged on Shrewsbury Auction Centre yesterday (Monday) as the Draper family’s national award winning Claybury Flock of pedigree Texels was sold at a dispersal sale.

The auction was conducted by auctioneers Jonny Dymond from Halls and Brian Ross from Lawrie & Symington, Lanark, with th3 187 lots being sold to 87 different buyers to a top price of 26,000 guineas.

Robert and James Draper, of Endson House, Montford Bridge, near Shrewsbury, have bred top quality pedigree Texel sheep, described by them as their “Claybury Crown Jewels”, for 34 years.

The sale topper was ewe lamb DHL2502673 by influential tup Wedderburn Highlander from one of the best ewes ever bred at Claybury, The ringside and MartEye, online auction platform, were abuzz with quickfire bidding before the ewe lamb sold to Charlie Boden’s Mellor Vale flock from Stockport.

James Draper, a British Texel Society board member and Shropshire and Borders Texel Society vice chairman, said the ewe lamb was probably the best the family has bred.

The shearling ewes were described by Mr Dymond as “full of power, presence and opportunity” and it was another of James’ picks that topped the section at 17,000gns.

Described as his “favourite from birth”, DHL2402445, sired by Haddo Fabio and scanned with triplets to Wedderburn Highlander, sold to Alan Blackwood’s Auldhouseburn Flock, Muirkirk.

Another headed for the same home from the same pen – DHL2402400 again by Haddo Fabio and carrying triplets by Allanfauld Italian Job – achieving 13,000gns.

Demand for donor ewes was strong, peaking at 7,500gns for DHL2302244, a Rhaedr Four Square daughter carrying twins by Highlander, which was secured by local breeder S. P. & C. P. Williams for their Wollascott Flock, Shrewsbury.

Recipient ewes peaked at 2,300gns for one carrying twins by Allanfauld Italian Job out of DHL2202076 to an undisclosed buyer another two flushes saw bids up to 2,000gns for recipients carrying singles.

One hundred straws of semen were auctioned for the MND Association and Kidney Patients Association and achieved a top of £100 per straw for Allanfauld Italian Job followed at £50 for Wedderburn Highlander.

James said: “It was an unforgettable day from start to finish – one of the best days in my life, besides selling Claybury Istabraq for 88,000gns in 2002.

“We were so proud of the stock we put forward and honoured that so many were in attendance Thank you to all buyers, underbidders and everyone that helped get the sale completed – first class from start to finish. We wish all purchasers a successful 2026 lambing.”

Mr Dymond added: “This wonderful sale finished 2025 at Shrewsbury Auction Centre on a high note. Huge thanks to the Draper family, clients and staff for making it all possible.”

Averages: 24 senior/donor ewes £2,300, 35 shearling ewes £3,193, 30 ewe lambs £2,646, 86 in-lamb ewes £1,071 and 100 semen straws £29.

The Draper family will now focus on its chicken and arable enterprises, whilst keeping a small flock of around 120 crossbred sheep.

Claybury Texels was founded in 1993 with just two in-lamb ewes and a vision to breed superior commercial rams – a goal that soon evolved into producing high-quality stock for the pedigree market.

The flock’s list of successes includes breaking both the ram lamb and ewe lamb breed price records and winning Texel Supreme Championship at all the premier national shows and sales. Their ram Claybury Istabraq sold for record 88,000 guineas in 2002.

In 2024, the Draper family won the National 50th Anniversary Flock Competition with the best group of ewe lambs and the flock won the Shropshire and Borders Club Flock Competition in 2023 and 2024, having not entered this year.

“Our journey in the breed, which has been unforgettable, started with my sister, Hannah and her valuable input,” said James. “What began as a passion soon became a path filled with many happy memories and incredible people, many of whom we are proud to call lifelong friends.

“We feel so proud of what we achieved and the quality we have bred over the years.”

Picture: DHL2502673, the top seller at 26,000 guineas at the pedigree Claybury Texels Flock dispersal sale.