Local Limousin breeders, Robert and Jean Graham, scored a hat-trick at Stirling Show, when they landed their third big win in so many weeks with the three-year-old calved heifer, Grahams Ruth.
Staged at Gogar Mains Farm, and in the back-drop of the Campsie Hills which looked even more spectacular in glorious sunshine, the event also saw the heifer land the organisation's first overall champion of champions.
Judge Jim Warnock, chairman of the Royal Highland Agricultural Society, was most impressed by the inter-breed winners, and particularly, the supreme beef, a polled heifer with October-born heifer calf at foot, brought out by Stewart and Lynsey Bett. She is by Claragh Franco, out of French cow, Gigue and was overall champion of champions at Drymen Show, and inter-breed beef best at Gargunnock.
He found his reserve supreme in the heavy horse champion, James Paterson’s Clydesdale, Greenknowes First Ambition, a yearling colt from Boreland, Glendevon. He is by Doura Aird Ambition and bred from the Irish mare, McFin First Lady
The event, staged for the second time at Gogar Mains Farm, attracted a near record number of beef cattle and sheep for inter-breed judges, Robert and Hazel McNee, respectively.
Robert had a difficult task sorting out a quality line-up beef champions but had no hesitation in plumping for the any other breed champion as his runner-up. This was the Salers cow Bacardi Matilda, from Adam and Roy Crockett, Deanfoot, and her April-born bull calf, that landed the inter-breed beef honours at Northumberland Show.
Richard Hassell and Rachel Wyllie of Brailes Livestock, had another good day too, winning the both the Aberdeen Angus and Charolais cattle champions. The duo, whose livestock is attended to by Richard and Carol Rettie, also scooped the inter-breed beef pairs with the Charolais heifers, Gower Sequin and Skysea Serenade.
Limousins from Archie and John MacGregor, Allanfauld, took the blue and white sash in the inter-breed pairs.
Some 14 champion winners were forward for the inter-breed sheep which saw the supreme presented to the lead Blue Texel, a gimmer from young Cameron Cormack, Jedburgh. His winning entry which was bought privately as a ewe lamb from the Trisant flock was providing a first breed and overall championship for the 20-ewe Dunrod flock.
Hazel found her reserve in the Scotch Mule champion from Archie and John MacGregor, Allanfauld – a ewe lamb by a Firth sire bought at Kelso, last year.
LEADING awards
Aberdeen-Angus (Judge: B McWalter, Corpach, Fort William). Champion – R Hassell and R Wyllie, Brailes Livestock, with the Fife Show champion, Weeton Blackbird, a four-year-old cow by Rawburn Boss Hogg, out of Blelack Blackbird, brought out by Richard and Carol Rettie. She was shown with heifer calf at foot by Tonley Ranaldo, the junior male champion at last year’s Royal Highland Show. Reserve – C Orr, Halbeath, Dunfermline with Kingholm Mister Asset, a 22-month-old son of Ribble Egma, out of Kingholm Miss Annie. First at West Fife Show, and purchased at Stirling Bull Sales in February for 8000gns. Senior bull – C Orr. Junior bull – H Heerema. Cow, senior heifer, junior heifer, calf – Brailes Livestock.
Charolais (I Goldie, Greenfield, Cummertrees) Champion – R Hassell and R Wyllie, Brailes Livestock with Basset Orange, a five-year-old cow bought privately from Jean Atkinson, by Whitecliffe Lacroix out of Bassett Jamaica. She was shown with January-born bull calf at foot by Westcarse Houdini, which makes him a full brother to the 9000gns bull sold last year Reserve at Fife and West Fife. Reserve from the same home was the inter-breed beef champion from West Fife, Gower Sequin, a September 2021-born heifer bought privately as a calf from her breeders in Wales. She is by the French sire Hatenon, out of Gower Insignia, a Goldies Eddie daughter and was also champion at Fife. Sequin and her herd mate Skysea Serenade, a two-year-old heifer by Foxacre Memnon, won the inter-breed beef pairs for the Brailes Livestock. Bull – T and S Gatherer, Barnsford, Inchinnan. Cow, senior heifer, junior heifer – Brailes Livestock. Calf – L Park.
Limousin (Judge: B Goldie, Townfoot, Dumfries). Champion, inter-breed beef and overall champion of champions, R and J Graham, Airthrey Kerse, Bridge of Allan, with Grahams Ruth, a daughter of Claragh Franco, out of the French cow, Gigue. She was brought out by Stewart and Lynsey Bett and was inter-breed champion at Gargunnock and champion of champions at Drymen, when shown with her October-born heifer calf at foot, Grahams Trixie. Reserve – R and J Graham with Grahams Scarlet, a two-year-old heifer by Gunnerfleet Lion that was reserve here last year and junior champion at the Grand Prix. She was first at Drymen last year and is out of Ironstone Dumandy. Senior bull – R Dick, Mains of Throsk, Stirling. Intermediate bull, intermediate heifer – I Nimmo, Wishaw. Senior cow, junior cow, junior heifer – R and J Graham. Senior heifer – D and L Graham, Mains of Burnbank, Blair Drummond.
Beef Shorthorn (Judge: B McWalter). Champion – R and C Rettie, Dyke Farm, Slamannan, with Aberdona Rock Candy, a two-year-old heifer by Tamhorn Glen out of Aberdona Malteser. Champion at Fife Show and last year’s Stars of the Future. Reserve – T McMillan, Eskechraggan, Bute, with the yearling heifer, Eskechraggan Sara, a previously unshown daughter of Millerston Kasper out of Ballylinney Zara, brought out by the Retties. Bull, cow, pair – R and C Rettie. Senior heifer – K and EM Brown, Ledlanet House. Junior heifer – T McMillan.
British Blue (Judge: I Goldie). Champion – K and S Fletcher, Coul Estate, Laggan, with Solway View Ria, the 30,000gns female purchased from Kevin Watret at Carlisle last month. This 19-month-old, is by Dodou De St Renacle and out of Solway View Milly. Reserve – A and CS Comrie, Stonebyres Mains, Lanark, with the yearling bull, Stonebyres Samson, by Stonebyres Ninja, a Luke Royal Kracker son. Second at Lesmahagow, he is bred from Stonebyres Gem. Two classes only.
Simmental (Judge: I Goldie). Champion – R McCulloch, Overhill House, Armadale, with Overhill House Neo, a 14-month-old bull and one of the first sons of the 26,000gns Pistyll Kingsman, out of the Irish cow, Seepa Daffodil, a Hillcrest Jerome daughter. She was brought out by stockman Scott Gilmore with assistance of Brian Wills. Reserve – R McCulloch with Overhill House Neve, a similarly aged heifer by Mavesey Klansman, out of Woodhall Inkberry, an Islavale Frontier-sired cow. Only two classes.
Hereford (Judge: I Goldie). Champion – G and S Harvey, Balfron Station, Balfron, with Harveybros 1 Willy The Womaniser, a 15-month-old bull by Wirruna Matty out of Sophie’s 21st birthday present heifer, Harveybros Crucus N1. Champion at Drymen and Gargunnock. Sole entry.
Highland (Judge: D Scott, Leys Castle, Inverness) Champion – D and C Logan, Greenhead, Alva, with Arin 2 of Blairlogan, a two-year-old heifer by Aonghas of Hyndford, out of Arin of Culfoich, a show heifer in 2019 bought at Oban. Reserve – D McNaughton, Kelty, with the three-year-old heifer, Ailsa. Senior bull – G Hyslop, Black Glen. Junior bull, two-year-old heifer – D and C Logan. Cow, calf – S and R Hunter, Allanton, Shotts. Three-year-old heifer, yearling heifer – D McNaughton. Pair – A Prentice, Hyndford.
Commercial cattle (Judge: D Wright, Woodend, Ardgour). Champion – S and L Bett, Boquhan Home Farm, Kippen, with Phoenix, a 15-month-old Limousin cross heifer that was champion at Drymen, reserve inter-breed beef at Gargunnock and won several calf shows, last year. She was bought at the Thainstone Spectacular from Balfour Baillie, Orkney and is by Redriver Powerful, out of a British Blue cross Limousin cow. Reserve – A and S Campbell, Crawlaw, Galston, with the second prize heifer, Coco, a British Blue cross yearling heifer bred by Kevin Watret and bought last year at the Welsh Winter Fair. She is by Nutcracker, out of Solway View Cream and stood overall cattle champion at Newmilns and reserve at Kilmaurs. Continental bullock – R Nelson, Cuttlehill, Kinross. Heifer – S and L Bett.
Any other breed cattle (Judge: D Wright). Champion – A and R Crockett, Deanfoot, with the Salers show cow, Bacardi Matilda, the inter-breed beef champion at Northumberland Show. A daughter of Seawell Kitemark, she is out of Bacardi Keisha and was shown with April-born bull calf at foot by Seawell Nitro. Reserve – A and R Crockett with the two-year-old Salers heifer, Bacardi Raquel, a daughter of the champion and sired by Seawell Nitro. Only two classes.
Beef young handlers – Under 12s – 1, Jessica Brown; 2, Alba Malone. Aged 13-16yrs – 1, Fletcher Russell; 2, Cameron Barclay; 3, Holly Brown.
Blackface (Judge: S Renwick, Glenrath, Peebles). Champion – A MacGregor, Allanfauld, Kilsyth, with a rough ewe hogg by Allanfauld Kingsman, a £13,000 shearling ram sold to Hartside last year, out of a ewe by a £32,000 Dalchirla, and reserve with a one-crop ewe by the 30,000gns McCurdy ram bought at Ballymena, out of a ewe by a £32,000 Midlock. Ram, ewe, gimmer – A MacGregor. Ewe lamb, tup lamb – W Adam and Son, Shankhead, Stirling.
Bluefaced Leicester (Judge: S Renwick). Champion – A MacGregor, Allanfauld, with a gimmer by a P1 Blarnavaid bought at Hawes, out of a ewe by a K1 Carry House, on her first outing and reserve with a tup lamb that was champion at Campsie. He is by an R20 Shitlington and out of a ewe by the K1 Carry House. Two classes only
Texel (Judge: J McKerrow, Uppermill, Tarves). Champion – G Gray, Sunnycroft, Selkirk, with a gimmer brought out by Chloe Cormack and Gary McColm, by the 24,000gns New View Electrifying, out of a 3000gns Oldfield ewe that was bred from a 5000gns Ettrick gimmer. She is from the same family as the 17,000gns Ettrick Everest. Reserve – G and D Gray, was a ewe from the same family. She is by Claybury Dunkirk, out of a ewe by Midcombe Brigadeer and stood fourth at Lesmahagow. Aged ram – E Davis, Arosfa, Powys. Shearling ram, ewe lamb – A MacGregor. Ram lamb – D and E Clark, Leameadow, Carluke.
Blue Texel (Judge: F Forsyth, Corra Farms, Castle Douglas). Champion and inter-breed sheep – C Cormack, Oxnam Neuk, Jedburgh, with a gimmer bought privately from the Trisant flock at the Great Yorkshire show last year. She is by Matts Escogbar and out of Matts Felicia. Reserve – M Kay, Castlemill Cottage, Bonnybridge, with a ram lamb by Derg Fireball, out of the privately purchased Shamrock Dalia. He was first at Drymen. Aged ram, shearling ram, ewe, ewe lamb – D Gray, Sunnycroft. Ram lamb – M Kay.
Any other continental (Judge: A Taylor, Heatheryhall, Biggar). Champion – NR and S Henderson, White Farm Cottage, Stirling, with Oakchurch Applejax, a Charollais gimmer bought at the Oakchurch dispersal last year by Cavick What a Boyo! She was first at Gargunnock. Reserve – J MacGregor, Allanfauld, with the second prize winner to the champion, a home-bred Badger Face Texel gimmer. All classes – NR and S Henderson.
Shetland (Judge: H Syme, Glenrothes). Champion – J Steven and Family, Rosebank, Currie, with Rosebank Wallace, a previously unshown white shearling ram by Galtress Yosemite, out of Rosebank Trinity. Reserve – F Frame, Hawthornbank, Lanark, with a white gimmer by an Annavale sire out of Muncaster Ivory. First at Lesmahagow. Coloured champion – F Frame, with the first prize coloured gimmer from Lesmahagow by Woodpark Titan out of a Broadwath ewe bought at Carlisle. Reserve coloured – J Steven and Family with Rosebank Xerxes, a tup lamb by Broadford Basil, out of Rosebank Trelawney. First at Fife and Drymen. White ram, coloured ram, white shearling, white tup lamb, coloured tup lamb, white ewe, coloured ewe, white ewe lamb, coloured ewe lamb – J Steven and family. White gimmer, coloured gimmer – F Frame.
Any other breed sheep (Judge: A Baillie, Broomfield Lodge, Ashgill). Champion – A Smith, Middleton of Glasclune, Blairgowrie, with a South Country Cheviot gimmer bought at Lockerbie from Drycleughlea. She is by Mountbenger Zeus. Reserve – A Morton, Stobilee Mains, Lanark, with an ET Border Leicester ewe lamb by Eildon Echo, bred from Ardstewart Tara. Ram, ewe, gimmer – A Smith. Ram lamb – E Duncan, Drumheldric, Milton of Campsie. Ewe lamb – A Morton, Lochend, Denny.
Scotch Mule (Judge: S Renwick). Champion and reserve inter-breed sheep – A MacGregor, Allanfauld, Kilsyth, with a single ewe lamb by a Firth shearling ram bought at Kelso, last year and out of a home-bred Blackface ewe. First outing. Reserve – M Smyth, Shields, Milton of Campsie, with a pen of three ewe lambs brought out by John MacDougall. Two were by a Blarnavaid tup with the third being sired by a Hartside ram, and all out of home-bred ewes. Two classes.
Commercial (Judge: S Renwick). Champion – G Whyte, Lintibert, Muthill, with a home-bred three-crop Beltex cross ewe with a pair of late February-born Beltex cross lambs by a Tiree tup. The lambs were champion at Fife. Reserve – G Whyte, with a late February-born Beltex cross ewe lamb by a Brickrow sire. Sole entries.
Hampshire Down (Judge: M Adams, Merlin Haven, Wooton under Edge). Champion – R and J McFarlane and L Rennie, West Lecropt, Bridge of Allan, with a home-bred shearling ram by Yarcombe Klondyke, last year’s male champion at the Royal Highland Show, out of a home-bred ewe. Reserve – A and D Mackinnon, Walterstead, Berwick upon Tweed, with a December-born ewe lamb by Ballycreely Warrier out of Creely ewe bought privately. Ram, ewe, gimmer – R and J McFarlane and L Rennie. Ram lamb, ewe lamb – D Mackinnon.
Beltex (Judge: A Taylor, Heatheryhall, Biggar). Champion – A Morton, Lochend, Denny, with a previously unshown ewe lamb by Gyffin Dexter, out of Mortons Dawn and reserve with gimmer the same way bred and on her first outing. All classes – A Morton.
Zwartbles (Judge: A Baillie). Champion – NR and S Henderson, White Farm Cottage, Stirling, with Aquila Jitterbug, a one-crop ewe that was champion at Strathaven and Braco last year and breed leader at Gargunnock this month. Reserve at the Royal Highland Showcase, she is by Janetstown Hallmark and out of Aquila Dragonfly. Reserve – K Flynn, South Mains, Tartraven, Bathgate, with Paguera Legend, a ewe lamb by the AI sire, East Middle Ripvanwinkel out of the Carlisle purchase, Barmurrie Hope. She was reserve at Drymen. Ram, ewe, ram lamb – NR and S Henderson. Gimmer, ewe lamb – K Flynn.
Poll Dorset (Judge: Ms M Sheed, Aldunie, Huntly) Champion – A Morton, Stobilee Mains, Lanrk, with the West Fife Show champion, a home-bred gimmer by Downkillybegs Jethro, out of a home-bred ewe. Reserve – D Rankin, Lochore, with a September-born ram lamb by Ballytaggart Digger, out of Zahra DD. Reserve at West Fife, this quad-born lamb is a full brother to the Carlisle Spring Stars champion and is destined for the breed sale at Stirling. Shearling ram, ewe – I and G Farmer, Balbedie, Kinglassie. Ram lamb – D and D Rankin. Gimmer, ewe lamb – A Morton.
Ryeland (Judge: Ms B Aitken, Inverurie). Champion – J Milne, Keirhead Cottage, Thornhill, Stirling with Keirhead Corina, a white ewe lamb by Redsewell Zuperman, last year’s champion here and male champion at the Royal Highland, out of a privately purchased Orchard House ewe. Reserve – A Hunter-Blair Nether Cleugh Farmhouse, Dalry, Castle Douglas, with the three-shear white ram, Pembroke Apollo, the champion winner at Ayr in 2022 and 2023. He is by Highwood Xeres and was bought in partnership with the Burns family, at a sale at Worcester. Best opposite colour to the champion – Natalie Walker and James Dodds, Monks Acre, Coupar Angus, with an Allerdale-bred coloured tup bought privately last year from Alison Robinson. He was third at the Royal Welsh last year. White ram, white ewe – A Hunter-Blair. Coloured ram, coloured ewe lamb – N Walker and J Dodds. Coloured ram lamb – C Smyth, Urral, Newton Stewart. White ram lamb – D Stainton, Burnbrae Stables, Chryston. White gimmer, white ewe lamb – J Milne. Group of three – E Davis, Arosfa, Powys.
Sheep young handlers – 1, Angus Smith; 2, Eilidh MacKinnon; 3, Gregor Hendry.
Children’s lambs – 1, Jamie Duncan; 2, Neil Barclay; 3, Matthew MacGregor.
Heavy horse (Judge: T Brewster, Crieff) Champion, champion heavy horse and reserve overall champion of champions – J Paterson, Boreland, Glendevon, with Greenknowes First Ambition, a yearling colt that was first at Drymen and second at West Fife. He is by Doura Aird Ambition and bred from the Irish mare, McFin First Lady. Reserve – Amanda Stewart, Mollinhillhead, with the reserve champion of champions from Campsie Show, Mollinsburn Rebecca, an eight-year-old yeld mare by Bratlach Ballintoy, out of a Millichenn dam. Amanda also won the ridden championship on the same horse and qualifies for HOYS. Mare, ridden – A Stewart. Senior gelding – A McLean, Lochcote Lodge. Two-year-old filly – J Adamson, Easter Glentore, Airdrie. Yearling filly – M Carrick, Easter Littleward, Thornhill. Yearling colt or gelding – J Paterson. Young handlers – Emily Binnie.
Driven Clydesdale – Champion – Jacqueline Tait, Gairneybank Farmhouse.
Stickmaking (Judge: R Campbell). Champion – I McConnachie, Gatehouse of Fleet, with a Welsh Mountain horned stick. Reserve – I Paterson, Kelso, with a Buffalo horned stick. Novice champion – Carol Cook. Reserve novice – I Forsyth.
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