The Farmers Mart Oct/Nov 2016 - Issue 48 | Page 46

Leigh Smith

The best sheep in
the Lake District!
»»THE BEST SHEEP IN THE
Lake District are Texels, without
a doubt, says part-time breeder
Leigh Smith whose Majestic
Texels are making a name for
themselves both in the show
ring and in breeding circles.
And he ought to know.
Because Whitehaven-based
Leigh recently received 4000
guineas for a gimmer lamb
he bred. She was sold for
that impressive sum to wellknown breeder Charlie Boden
of Stockport whose breed is
the Sportsmanflock. Charlie is
clearly a man who knows his
way around quality sheep so
it was quite an accolade for
Leigh.
“I was in two minds whether
to sell her or not at first,” he

admitted. “You do become
attached to them, but I decided
to go ahead and was amazed
at what she achieved. I was just
hoping to get four figures for her
so that final sum was staggering.
And I know that with Charlie, she
certainly could not have gone to
a better home.”
It is remarkable that after
only two years doing this as a
hobby, Leigh is getting such
great results. Earlier this year at
his first showing, he got Breed
Champion with a gimmer lamb
and then went on to get Reserve
Show Champion at Penrith.
Leigh’s full-time job is as a
team leader in a processing
plant at Sellafield, where he has
worked for 14 years. He enjoys
his job and at 41, has no plans to

leave and make his hobby into a
full-time career.
“I must admit most of my
spare time is spent on my
hobby because I enjoy it a lot
and want to do well and build a
reputation as a noted breeder.
I have always been fascinated
by bloodlines and pedigrees –
whether in horses, dogs, cattle
or sheep. I don’t know where
this comes from as I am not from
a farming background – but my
great-grandfather was a horse
trader and butcher, so maybe
that’s the connection!”
Leigh, who has lived at Low
Wreah Farm in Hensingham
West Cumbria for six years,
initially bought in Ryeland
sheep. Ryeland are one of
the oldest breeds in England,

named after the place in
Herefordshire where they were
first bred. A docile breed, they
enabled Leigh to learn a lot and
he did very well with them. He
acknowledges the invaluable
help and advice he received
from Robin Fearon at Frizington
Hall Farm.
“Robin was a great help,
especially at lambing time,” said
Leigh. “I then had a chance
meeting with a lady called Anne
Bowan, who shows Texels very
successfully – and that was it. It
was Texels for me.
At present, Leigh has four
good quality females at his vets
where they are being flushed for
embryo transfer.
“It is a calculated risk that
sometimes works, sometimes

Galemire Veterinary
Hospital are pleased
to supply Veterinary
services to Leigh Smith
Low Wreah Farm

Pets, Farm & Horses

46 Oct/Nov 2016 www.farmers-mart.co.uk

Registered office:
Galemire Veterinary Hospital,
Cleator Moor, Cumbria CA25 5QX.
Registered in England No. 7077852