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Wellground Killawasi's Keepsake was sold at the British Alpaca Futurity 2008 elite auction for 15,000 guineas

THE highest-selling alpaca at the British Alpaca Futurity 2008 elite auction held at Newbury Racecourse on February 16-17 changed hands for 15,000 guineas. He was Wellground Killawasi's Keepsake, a solid white, 22-month-old unproven stud male, sired by Accoyo Killawasi. He was supreme champion at the South of England Show in 2007.

Close behind him was the black pregnant female Inca Magic, sold for 14,000 guineas. In 2007, she won first place in the black intermediate class at the BAS Spring Show, the BAS National Show, South of England Show, Royal Bath and West Show and the East of England Show.

Seven alpacas were auctioned for a total of £60,100. One of them was donated by the Futurity sponsors, Langaton Alpacas, The Alpaca Stud, Classical MileEnd Alpacas, Alpacas of Wessex, Bozedown Alpacas and EP Cambridge UK, and the proceeds are going to the charities Quechua Benefit and Practical Action, which both work with alpaca farmers and their families in Peru. The auction followed a dinner for 200 alpaca breeders from the UK, Europe and Australia and a fashion show where the best of British garments made from alpaca were seen on the catwalk.

More than 220 alpacas took part in show classes during the event with more than £14,000 being paid out in prize money. International judge Mike Safley from America judged the classes alongside British judge Paul Cullen. Mike has written many books on alpacas and judged all over the world including Peru. He had been invited to judge in the UK for the first time. His verdict on the Futurity was, "It is a world class event". In his lecture he commented on the quality of the British animals and their world-class genetics and urged breeders to consider setting up a system of estimated breeding values to maintain and advance the British herd's superiority in Europe.

The Futurity is the only show of its kind in Europe where only the progeny of nominated sires can be shown. The Futurity championship is won by the sire whose progeny win most points and this year's winner of the huacaya section was Galaxy of Bozedown Alpacas, for the second year running, with the suri section being won by Arunvale Suri Wonder Dream of Moonsbrook Alpacas. ATA Cambridge Centurion, owned by EP Cambridge and Inca Alpaca, won the junior herdsire award and Helen MacDonald of Alpaca Power was named the most successful small breeder. Several hundred people attended the event where trade stands sold all manner of garments made from alpaca yarns, alpaca feed, paddock cleaners and alpaca handling equipment.

As well as the lecture by Mike Safley, veterinarian Claire Whitehead, lecturer in camelid medicine at the Royal Veterinary College, spoke on Reproductive problems in camelids, and Nick Weber, chairman of British Camelids, discussed Practical nutrition.

Information on the show class winners and next year's event can be found at www.britishalpacafuturity.com.

3:29pm Wednesday 23rd April 2008

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