Aberdeen Christmas Classic and A-A calf show at Thainstone

In previous years, the Bonanza was always held before the Classic at Thainstone. However, in a change of format, the organisers of both events have come together in a bid to attract a larger shared audience, albeit by staging their own individual shows.

As a result, the Black Beauty Bonanza is taking the opportunity to trial its calf show on the Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Aberdeen Christmas Classic will go ahead as normal and this year has attracted more than 400 entries of top-quality prime and pedigree livestock, with 107 Aberdeen-Angus calves and yearlings from 28 different herds bound for the Bonanza.

Michael Durno tapping out his champion at the Rising Stars Calf Show in 2019 Ref:EC2511192456

The two-day Christmas Classic organised by Aberdeen and Northern Marts (ANM) in conjunction with Aberdeen Fatstock Association, boasts a packed programme of events which includes shows and sales of prime and pedigree stock from noted breeders.

“The Aberdeen Christmas Classic is one of Scotland’s premier livestock events and we are delighted to be welcoming another stellar line-up of stock to Thainstone again,” said ANM prime and cull cattle manager, Tim McDonald.

“Over the two days, exhibitors will compete for an impressive cash prize fund and an array of silverware, while spectators and prospective buyers will have the opportunity to view source some of the best-bred cattle and sheep in the country.

“We are most grateful for the continued sponsorship and support from the Duxbury family of Rapid Project Development.”

Rory Gregor with his pair of 51.5kg champion young farmers lambs at the 2019 event Ref:EC2511192433

The event commences on the Monday afternoon with shows and sales of 272 pedigree Suffolk, Texel, Beltex and other breeds of females, as well as the Rising Stars Exhibition Calf Show, which will be held on the Monday evening in the Thainstone Exchange.

Some 66 prime cattle have been entered for judging on the Tuesday morning, alongside 56 pairs of prime lambs.

Taking on the task of judging the open haltered beef and butchers’ cattle is Jamie Scott of John Scott Meats, Paisley, and Louise Forsyth of Forsyth Butchers, Peebles.

Bill Cameron, Burnside of Edingight, Grange, Keith, will be putting the the open unhaltered cattle through their paces, while Aileen Ingram, East Comalegy, Drumblade, Huntly, will head up the Young Farmers’ haltered and unhaltered cattle, as well as the Young Farmers’ best presented and paraded competition.

Selecting the top winners amongst the sheep section will be Jimmy Stark from Bluebell, Alton Farm, Milton of Campsie, who will also be judging the open and Young Farmers’ classes.

The judges appointed for the pedigree sheep show include Jordan Green, Drumburn, Keith, among the Beltex; David Delday, Quoy Belloch, Deerness, Orkney, for the Suffolks; and Brian MacTaggart, Douganhill, Orchardton Mains, Castle Douglas, will be selecting the winning Texels.

A look back at the 2019 event when Mark Robertson celebrated taking the champion and reserve in the Rising Stars pictured here with his father Michael Ref:EC2511192457

Cameron Sinclair, Brewthin, Cullerlie, is judging the Rising Stars Exhibition Calf Show on the Monday evening.

The Black Beauty Calf show on the Tuesday has entries forward from as far as Kelso to Cromarty and Orkney in the north, and will be judged by Graeme Massie, Blelack.

There are also classes for junior and intermediate showmanship, judged by Jim Borland, Kelso, with entries from youngsters taken up to the date of the show.

Hugh Thomson, North East Aberdeen Angus Club chairman added: “History tells us that many of the young Angus cattle that excel at the Bonanza go on to do big things in the future. As a result, our event is well respected by breeders across the UK.”