Scottish breeder, Michael Burns of the Shaws herd, Maybole, had his work cut out for him judging the Northern Ireland Limousin Club’s National Show, where James Alexander, Randalstown, scored a hat-trick.

Mr Alexander lifted the intermediate, male and supreme championship with the 14-month-bull, Jalex Transform. Sired by the 16,000gns Huntershall Nutcracker, he is out of Brockhurst Oriana.

“This bull stood out the minute he entered the showring. He is a modern Limousin with exceptional style, width throughout, and is mobile on his feet and legs,” said Mr Burns.

Jalex also secured the junior championship with the October 2022-born bull, Jalex Troublemaker, by the herd’s stock sire, Brookland Poet.

Securing the blue and white rosette was the senior champion and overall female, Dinmore Sensation from Trevor Shields, Kilkeel. This heifer is the result of flush from the multi-award-winning, Dinmore Perfection, purchased from Paul Dawes as a six-month-old calf at the on-farm reduction sale, and sired by Meadowrig Pedro.

The same home also bagged the reserve intermediate with the home-bred heifer, Glenmarshal Tiamaria. A 17-month-old, she is a daughter of the 32,000gns Ampertaine Elgin and out of Trueman Pixie, a 17,100gns yearling purchase at an online sale.

Reserve champion was the heifer, Dinmore Sensation

Reserve champion was the heifer, Dinmore Sensation

Claiming the reserve male honours was the 16-month-old bull, Drumhilla Thor from Gareth Corrie, Newtownards. Sired by Ampertaine Elgin, his dam is Ampertaine Lucia.

Mr Corrie also exhibited the calf champion, Drumhilla Umpire, a six-month-old bull by the 35,000gns Ampertaine Majestic, and bred from Haltcliffe Raquel.

Commercial champion was Zeus, a 2023-born steer from Fergal Gormley, Claudy, while the runner-up was the similarly aged heifer, Sassy from Ivan Lynn and Sons, Armoy.

The commercial championship went to Zeus from Fergal Gormley

The commercial championship went to Zeus from Fergal Gormley