Isle of Man
26th August 2025
Impressed by quality of the trade and the friendly atmosphere encountered at last year’s visit, Isle of Man breeder, Phillip Christian, will be bringing his first consignment to the NSA Wales & Border Ram Sales.
The three Faradale shearling Charollais tups will travel with six of neighbour, Danny Creer’s, Ballaglonney Texels. Danny has been selling at the Builth sale for more than 30 years and the trip involves taking a four hour ferry from Douglas to Heysham and then a three and a half hour drive to the Royal Welsh Showground. Phillip is looking forward to the trip: “It’ll be my first time selling there. I was down last year and was impressed. “I thought I’d give it a try. I enjoyed the atmosphere, saw lot of good stock. I know a few different people there, so it was good to have a chat, a nice meal and a change of scenery. It’s good to get away.”
Bluetongue restrictions mean he can’t take his sheep onto the showground before 9am on the Sunday morning, 21st September. He’ll leave on the Saturday evening and drive steadily down. He’s likely to vaccinate the tups for BTV before travelling, even though vaccination isn’t necessary for sheep coming from the Isle of Man, Scotland and Wales. They are so far clear of the disease and not required to vaccinate. Those of Phillip’s tups heading for Builth will be vetted for transport and a movement licence obtained from the Isle of Man Government.
Phillip and his wife Rose farm 4,000 acres with his son, Jamys. They run pedigree Charollais, along with a few thousand commercial Scottish Blackface, Scottish Mules and Charollais. Their Charollais also do well in local shows and the family are hoping to extend their showing to the mainland now that Jamys is working at home. They also run a 50 cow suckler herd comprising Beef Shorthorn, Aberdeen Angus and Belted Galloway.
NOTE: The NSA Wales & Border Main Sales takes place on Monday 22nd September at the Royal Welsh Showground. Tups from a Welsh/ Scottish or Isle of Man holding can be admitted any time from 9.00am on Sunday 21st September.
SHEEP ENTERING FROM ANY ENGLISH HOLDING MUST NOT CROSS THE BORDER INTO WALES BEFORE 12 NOON ON SUNDAY 21ST SEPTEMBER.
