We are delighted to announce the judge for the
All Ireland Championships this year to be one of
the prominent breeders in the Texel breed of
recent years.
This years judge will be Mark Priestley of the
Seaford flock, who has bred rams that have
been in some of the top pedigrees in recent
years. Most notably Empire King who has bred
lambs to 100k and also the notable
Auldhouseburn Fancy Pants. It was also another
significant day last year for Seaford when a son
of Seaford Egyptian Warrior topped the legendary
Kelso tup sales.
Mark has truly learned his trade in some of the
most notable flocks in the breed when
he started learning the trade in Milinbank as a
teenager and moving to the Sportsman’s Flock
at 22. Since then Mark moved to working on
his own farm with Suffolk and Texel flocks.
Mark is not stranger to the show ring with
him recently picking up overall champion in bot
h the Texels and Suffolks in Balmoral and
claiming the Interbreed with his Suffolks.
He has remarked that he is looking forward
to judging the all Ireland and is excited
about the quality of stock that will be on display.
He noted this will be looking for something
with commercial features for today’s market but
will need that extra bit class to attract the eye.
