The 61st Lerwick Pony Sale was held on Friday 2nd October

The 61st annual Lerwick Pony Sale was held on Friday 2nd October at the Shetland Rural Centre. Unfortunately due to the restrictions imposed by the ongoing pandemic the annual Lerwick Pony Sale Show was unable to be held. However, the Pony Breeders of Shetland Association (PBSA) felt it was imperative for the sale to go ahead. With thanks to Shetland Livestock Marketing Group (SLMG) and Aberdeen and Northern Marts (ANM) this was made possible, albeit with a very different format to comply with social distancing rules and regulations. Entry numbers were down on previous years, with 41 ponies forward, but although numbers were lacking quality was not. An array of different sizes and colours were forward to suit a range of buyers.

Yet again, especially due to the pandemic travel restrictions, the online bidding facility proved invaluable with 33 of the 41 ponies sold, selling through the facility. All 41 ponies forward were sold, with many travelling far and wide The PBSA must express thanks to the vendors who all provided numerous photographs and videos of the lots in advance of the sale, allowing for ponies and the sale as a whole to be promoted greatly in the lead up to the day.

The top price was paid for Bergli Lanca, a 6 year old skewbald miniature mare belonging to the Bergli Stud now based in Norway, achieving 3,100 guineas. The highest price colt foal was the Black standard, Filska Ignite sold by the Filska Stud, Eshaness for 680 guineas and the highest priced filly foal was Musselbrough Whisper presented for sale by Janice & Marcus Priest, Unst selling for 1,400 guineas.

The overall average was greatly up on last year at 624 guineas across the whole sale.

Top Prices

3100gns – Bergli Lanca – Skewbald Miniature Mare – Bergli Stud, Norway

2300gns – Merkisayre Jannie – Chestnut Standard Mare – Merkisayre Stud, Burra

1700gns – Merkisayre Joyful – Black Standard 2yr Filly – Merkisayre Stud, Burra

1400gns – Musselbrough Whisper – Chestnut Standard Filly Foal – J&M Priest, Unst

1300gns - Stepley Candice – Chestnut Standard Mare – I Burgess, Virkie

1250gns – Bergli Searose – Liver Chestnut Standard Mare – Merkisayre Stud, Burra

1000gns – Hollydell Pheodora – Black Standard Filly Foal – Hollydell Stud, Nesting

860gns – Merkisayre Donna – Black Standard Mare – Merkisayre Stud, Burra

800gns – Moorens Misty – Black Miniature Filly Foal – D Johnson, Unst

800gns – Stackerhvi Donna – Skewbald Miniature 3yr filly – A J Williamson, Whalsay

740gns – Ockran Lisa – Black Standard 2yr filly – R Ramsay, Collafirth

740gns – Scatness Bounty – Black Standard Mare – G Douglas, Virkie

Average Prices

2019 2020

Filly Foals – 475gns 1066gns

Colt Foals – 147gns 334gns

Fillies – 288gns 847gns

Colts – 30gns 170gns

Stallions – 225gns 300gns

Mares – 567gns 1221gns

Overall 375gns 624gns

Huge thanks to auctioneer Rod MacKenzie and Alan Donald of ANM for doing a fantastic job for all concerned. Also a huge thanks to the SLMG yard staff for the smooth running of the sale and also to Northlink Ferries for their continued support and sponsorship.