Highland Show: Charolais Maerdy Morwr takes all for AJR Farms

But, it was a win with a twist – having bred the Charolais champion, the inter-breed judge, Esmor Evans, Mold, Wales, had to call on the umpire, David Leggat, former executive chairman of United Auctions, who gave his full endorsement that the Charolais was a worthy inter-breed champion.

“He is the best bull here today. A real powerful boy that was good on his legs, being very mobile for the size of him. He really is an ideal Charolais bull,” said Mr Evans.

Mr Leggat added: “It was an amazing show and to see the stock brought out to the highest quality after a two-year break was simply superb. The Charolais was an easy winner in my eyes ... the scale of the bull was powerful and his locomotion was fantastic for the size of him.”

The new beef inter-breed champion trophy was donated and presented by John McDairmid, a past exhibitor and life long supporter of the show. The supreme, Maerdy Morwr, was reserve inter-breed champion at last year’s Royal Highland Showcase and inter-breed supreme at the Great Yorkshire, last year, on his only previous outings. The stock bull, for David Stubbs’ AJR Farms’ Newlogie herd, was purchased privately four years ago from Esmor Evans for £25,000 and is a son of Maerdy Dynamite, out of Maerdy Fee.

Mr Evans selected his reserve overall champion as the Limousin winner, commenting: “He is a real meat machine, maybe just not being quite as good on his legs as the Charolais.”

This rising three-year-old bull is Pabo Procters, from the Jenkinson team, at Penrith, having been brought out by stockman, Craig Douglas. The team’s stock bull was purchased in October, 2020, at Carlisle for 18,000gns from WP Hughes and Sons, Rhosgoch, Anglesey.

Previously unshown, Procters is a son of the International Limousin Congress male champion, Derrygullinane Kingbull and his dam, Pabo Jympa, is a daughter of Sympa and full sister to the 13,000gns Pabo Francis.

Pabo Procters was also part of the winning team of four for the breed when he joined up with another from the same home, Whinfellpark Marilyn, a six-year-old cow sired by Foxhillfarm Jasper.

Also in the winning team was the female champion from Stephen and Thomas Illingworth, Howgillside, Eaglesfield – the September, 2020-born heifer, Glenrock Redruby. A home-bred female she is also by Sympa, and out of Glenrock Jewel. She was joined in the team by the May, 2020-born heifer, Burnbank Rubytuesday, from Dougie and Lynda Graham and sons, John and James, Blair Drummond. This girl’s pedigree features the sire, Wilodge Lj, onto the dam, Burnbank Grace.

Charolais had the reserve team, consisting of the October, 2020-born heifer, Airthmains Rosie, from Dexter Russell, Lesliepark, Denny; the female champion, Tophill Roxanne, from Thor Atkinson, Cumbria; Firhills Polly, from Jim Muirhead, Angus; and the bull, Balthayock Regal, from Major David Walter, Perth.

The white breed also took the inter-breed pair competition when Darren Knox’s January, 2020-born bull, Drumshane Scania, teamed up with Thor Atkinson’s female champion, Tophill Roxanne, which were deemed to be ahead of the Limousins in reserve, followed by the Aberdeen-Angus duo in third.

Native inter-breed trio was the Angus team, made up of the breed champion, Stouphill Quorum and the male champion, Stouphill Murphys Prince, both from the Allen family, paraded with Neil Wattie’s Tonley King Paco, a 15-month-old bull.

It was the Beef Shorthorn trio that took the reserve native team and consisted of the rising yearling bull, Duncanziemere Rob Roy, from Alistair Clark and sons, Brian and also Alistair, along with two females – the 17-month-old heifer, Andrew Thornber’s Blackbrook Heathermaid Rosa which was the breed champion, and Mary Cormack’s September, 2021-born heifer, Millerston Irania Rainbow, which had been reserve.

The sought-after junior title went to the Limousin bull, Deveronvale Razzledazzle, from Graham Morrison, Deveronvale, Cornhill. This lad stood reserve breed champion, having been brought out by stockman, Gary Patterson. He was sold in May at Carlisle for 24,000gns to Steven Wilson of the Impulsive herd from Corby Hill, Carlisle, but with the rights remaining to show him. A November, 2020-born bull, he is a son of Foxhillfarm Jasper, out of the show heifer, Aultside Jazz. He is a half sister to the 65,000gns Aultside Meanmachine.

Reserve was the Aberdeen-Angus junior, the October, 2020-born heifer, Stephick Evora, from Stephanie Dick, Stirling. This ET youngster is by Gretnahouse Blacksmith and out of Weeton Evora, a cow which was bought from the Weeton dispersal and stood reserve female and junior champion here in 2017. This is a first inter-breed junior title for the herd.

The Beefbreeder continental championship went to the Simmental bull, Blackford Local Hero, from Anne Macpherson, Blackford. This December, 2020-born bull is one of the first crop of sons from the private purchase, Heathbrow Important, out of Blackford Echo and is to be sold in October, at the Stirling Bull Sales.

The top award among the natives went to the Hereford champion, Spartan 1 Typhoon, from Simon and Gemma Hartwright, Oxfordshire. This February, 2020-born bull is a son of Solpoll 1 Perfection, which stood third Polled Bull of the Year in 2019 and out of Panmure 1 Plum K19. He has already had a successful summer having been champion at the South of England, reserve inter-breed at Shropshire and inter-breed at Stafford, and is now destined for the Great Yorkshire Show.

Young handlers

Borders-based Lewis Ralston, came up trumps in the beef young handlers before being crowned inter-breed young handler 2022.

It was a good week for him, having stood Salers champion earlier in the week with his own heifer. This was the first time competing in young handlers at Ingliston, though the 14-year-old won the young handlers sections at Stirling and Northumberland shows this summer.

Having secured the sheep young handlers here on three occasions Katie Aiken, Wray, Lancashire, switched to cattle showing and continued her success by winning the senior class, before being tapped out as reserve champion. She stood champion at Lesmahagow Show this year in the cattle young handlers and is working with Kevin Watret and Ali Jackson this summer for their busy show season.

Beef Shorthorn

A huge entry of Beef Shorthorns proved a fitting celebration of the fact that the breed is celebrating 200 years of its herd book this year – and the 200th Royal Highland.

They certainly gave breed judge, James Playfair Hannay something to think about, but in the end he made it ‘ladies day’ for exhibitors, giving the top two slots to two heifers. Leading the charge was Andrew Thornber’s Blackbrook Heathermaid Rosa, a 17-month-old daughter of Fearn Godfather, a sire which had been valued at 10,000gns when he was sold in 2015 by the Scott family, from Fearn, Ross-shire,

Mr Thornber has put his faith in the breed as a director of Morrisons supermarket business and also as a breeder. He was very much behind the supermarket giant’s branded ‘Shorthorn beef’ scheme which has been largely cited as a main driver in the popularity of the modern-day Shorthorn. Rosa was bred out of Knightland Heathermaid Miss Abbie and last November she led the North of England Beef Shorthorn Club’s calf show.

One out of the same class chased Rosa all the way. This was Mary Cormack’s Millerston Irania Rainbow, from Canterbury, Kent. She has an interesting background as she was part of the record-breaking cow and calf combination when sold for 17,000gns at the Millerston dispersal sale – she was the calf at foot when Mrs Cormack paid that for her and her dam, Millerston Irania Linnet.

Her sire was Portnadoran Maestro, a bull bred by Mrs Audrey MacDonald, from Arisaig, which had been fourth in his class at the 2019 Royal Highland Show.

Top of the males was Vale Meadows Flossy’s Cavalier, paraded by James Cameron and his partner Valerie Orr. He’s the stock bull for their Trainview herd which is kept in the Vale of Strathmore, near Forfar. This four-year-old is by Dunsyre Cavalier and bred out of Wavendon Flossy Flower.

They don’t have many Beef Shorthorns and are better known for their Aberdeen-Angus herd, but Alistair Clark and sons, Brian and Alistair, from New Cumnock, did well with the first of this breed shown at the Highland. Their Duncanziemere Rob Roy is a promising yearling bull by Fearn Jumpstart and out of Knockenjig Tessa, one of three cows in the fledgling herd and from a family which had already bred a Royal Highland champion for Isle of Bute’s Tom McMillan.

Aberdeen-Angus

It was a day to remember for the Allen family, Humbleheugh, Alnwick, when their five-year-old cow, Stouphill Quorum, took the supreme Aberdeen-Angus title for their 60-cow herd.

A previous champion at the Border Union Show in 2019, this girl is by Duncanziemere Jigsaw, which was the first stock bull bought for the herd for 7000gns in Stirling, and the dam, Carlhurlie Quorum, was a successful show cow, having been bought at the Carlhurlie dispersal for 3500gns.

The Allen family also stood supreme male with Stouphill Murphys Prince, a bull which has got his first cows in calf at home having already been breed leader at Northumberland Show. This rising two-year-old is a son of the 13,000gns Stirling purchase, Logie Defiance and out of Stouphill Marsala Pearl, which has bred sons to 17,000gns.

Tonley Lady Heather was reserve for father and son, Neil and Mark Wattie, Alford. A reserve inter-breed winner at Stirling Show this year, she is a daughter of the herd’s stock bull, the 19,000gns Blelack Evermore and out of Blelack Lady Heather, which had been bought at the Blelack reduction sale in 2016. This three-year-old was paraded with her February-born heifer calf, Tonley Lady Heather Y927, with the outfit set for the Great Yorkshire Show.

Tonley breeding was behind the blue and white sash in the males when Tonley Ronald did well for Oxfordshire-based Richard Hassell and Rachel Wyllie, of Brailes Livestock.

With just seven cows, they bought this calf at the Tonley reduction sale from the Watties at the Stirling Bull Sales, for 8000gns. Recently, he stood reserve champion at Stirling Show.

A January, 2021-born bull, he is by Tonley Jester, out of Tonley Rosebud and is now destined for the Great Yorkshire Show and the English National Show, at Norfolk.

Galloway

Two former Royal Highland champions contrived to produce this year’s breed leader from Jim and Selina Ross, Romesbeoch, Shawhead, Dumfries, when their rising two-year-old heifer, Beauty 2431 of Romesbeoch, got the nod from judge Alan McClymont.

She’s the result of an ET programme involving her dam, Beauty 1437 of Romesbeoch, which had been champion at the 2015 Highland and her ET work saw 32 eggs produced, 15 of which were fertilised by the 2009 RHS inter-breed champion, Blackcraig Kodiak, shown by Willie MacLean, from Oban. This classy heifer was one of seven pregnancies which resulted from that.

Reserve female and reserve overall was Blackcraig Dora May, from John and Anne Finlay, and son Iain, from Blackcraig, Corsock, which just failed to hold on to her winning position from last year’s Royal Highland Showcase, when she was also reserve in the native inter-breed.

She’s by Blackcraig Rasputin – a bull which had a half-share sold to the Troloss herd – while her dam, Dora May 8 of Knarie, has already bred a son sold privately for pedigree work at Markdhu.

The winning male was Troloss Legend, the stock bull for Jason and Sarah Wareham, from East Sussex. This six-year-old bull had been bought for 8000gns after he had been champion at the Castle Douglas breed sale. He’s a son of Blackcraig Dec – which is also a former Royal Highland winner – and out of Troloss Inka.

Runner-up for the male title was George and Sophie Harvey, from Balfron, with their 17-month-old bull, Harveys Eminem – a son of Braveheart of Gallway out of Harveys Zsa Zsa, which had been reserve champion at Drymen earlier this year.

Belted Galloway

The all-important winner’s sash was awarded to Tottingworth Mary 1 from Jason and Sarah Wareham, Sussex, who were achieving their first win in the Belted Galloway section.

This rising two-year-old heifer is from one of the first crop of calves from Shelsleys Eros and out of Tottingworth Mary. Having done the rounds on the local show circuit down south – she stood native champion at the South of England Show – and is now destined for the Great Yorkshire Show.

Judith Cowie, from Gatehouse of Fleet, Castle Douglas, also had a field day amongst the breed when taking male championship and reserve female, which went on to take the overall reserve champion.

The reserve overall ticket winner was her cow, Copelaw Isabella, which is by the AI sire, Mochrum Huckleberry and out of a foundation cow in the 10-cow herd, Tobergill Lily. She was paraded with her three-week-old bull calf at foot, Copelaw William, which was sired by the male champion, Huntfield Wigwam.

This three-year-old bull was bought in Carlisle last year for 7000gns from Joe and Zan Kirk, Low Kirkbride, Auldgirth, Dumfries. He is by the AI sire, Lullenden Aztec Warrior and the dam, Huntfield Opal, is a previous female champion at Ingliston.

Standing reserve male champion was the August, 2020-born bull, Urrvale Cosmos, from Colin and Nicola Davidson, Dumfries. On his first outing, he is destined for the Great Yorkshire Show and will be sold at Castle Douglas later in the year. His pedigree features the sire, Mochrum Keir, which was borrowed from Judith Cowie, onto the dam, Auchengassel Primrose, which was a private purchase.

Highland

There was a dovetailing of anniversary wins in the Highland cattle section when HM The Queen won at the 200th show in her Platinum Jubilee year with her home-bred bull, Gusgurlach of Balmoral.

Brought out by stockman Dochy Ormiston, this three-year-old also won at last year’s Showcase event and was giving Balmoral its first home-bred championship win for the 60-cow fold. He is by Tomintoul of Glamis Castle and out of Bhadair Ruadh 44 of Balmoral, and is being retained as a stock bull.

The female champion went on to lift the reserve overall to give Stephen and Rosemary Hunter a best result yet at the Highland for their Hunters fold, which is based at Allanton, near Shotts. This was Alice of Hunters, a two-year-old led out by their daughter, Laura.

She had been first at Kilmacolm and is by the private purchase, Jura 3 of Thaggnam and out of another private deal which saw Alice Seonaig 12 of Glengorm arrive in their fold.

Runner-up for the male title was Brogach Ruadh Murphy of Seam, a home-bred yearling bull shown by Simon and Emma Haley, from Eggleston, Co Durham. This one is by Brogan of Gilden Vale and out of Margaret of Seam and marked his show debut last year at Eggleston with a win as a calf against senior bulls, to be inter-breed male champion.

The same spot in the female section was taken by Fern 2 of Black Glen, from Grant Hyslop, Glentewing, Crawfordjohn, which had been from the same section on the Hunters’ female winner.

She’s home-bred and by the home-bred sire, Eoin Mhor of Blackglen and out of a bought-in dam, Fern 2 of Ardentraive.

Hereford

First time exhibitors at Ingliston, Simon and Gemma Hartwright, Oxfordshire, secured the championship with Spartan 1 Typhoon.

This was with a February, 2020-born bull which has already had a successful summer having been champion at the South of England, reserve inter-breed at Shropshire and inter-breed at Stafford, and now destined for the Great Yorkshire Show. This boy is a son of Solpoll 1 Perfection, which stood third in the Poll Bull of the Year race in 2019 and out of Panmure 1 Plum K19.

Taking the blue and white was the top female, Gouldingpoll 1 Duchess 916, from Heather Whittaker, West Yorkshire, which was paraded with her heifer calf at foot, Coley 1 Duchess. This four-year-old cow was bought in Ireland from Mathew Goulding’s reduction sale for 6000gns and was on her first outing and is another set for the Great Yorkshire.

A Gouldingpoll 1 Robust daughter, she is out of Gouldingpoll 1 Duchess 671, with her calf being born in September and sired by Solbakkens Patrik.

Not unusual to be in the limelight in the Hereford section, Tom and Di Harrison, Moralee, Northumberland, secured the reserve male championship with Moralee 1 Vermouth, which was sold in a private deal at the show. Their March, 2021-born bull is by the well-known Royal Highland Showcase native champion, Moralee 1 Rebel Kicks, which is a previous winner of the Polled Bull of the Year title, and out of Richmount 1 Katie-Perry.

Standing reserve female champion was the 15-month-old heifer, Milovaig 1 Lady Anna from Calum Smith and Anna Wilson, from Ardersier, near Inverness. Having bought the herd from Calum’s father recently, this was the first time exhibiting under their own name and they are now running 25 cows. This girl is sired by Shraden 1 Perestroika, which has bred eight daughters to average £3600 with the dam being Milovaig 1 Lady Isla.

British Charolais

It was a memorable and emotional win for Andrew Reid, farm manager of AJR Farms, Ellon, when he dedicated this supreme title in memory of his wife, who passed away last year.

Having stood reserve inter-breed champion here last year at the Showcase and inter-breed supreme at the Great Yorkshire, on his only other two outings, was the six-year-old bull, Maerdy Morwr.

The stock bull for the herd which was purchased privately four years ago from Esmor Evans, Maerdy, for 25,000gns, is a son of Maerdy Dynamite and out of Maerdy Fee.

Making their mark in the Charolais ring after tickets with various other breeds was Thor Atkinson, Cumbria and stockman, Steven O’Kane, who brought out the March, 2020-born heifer, Tophill Roxanne to lift the reserve Charolais honours the breed.

Reserve champion at the Showcase last year, this girl was purchased from Andrew Stott, at Stirling Bull Sales, for 4500gns. She is a daughter of Hackleton Largerlout and out of Hackleton Hetty, which is sired by Mulroog Alpine

Falleninch Stormzy was tapped out as the reserve male champion for Andrew Hornall, Stirling. Led by Jessica Hornall, Andrew’s daughter, this yearling bull has been out on the show circuit having stood fifth at Stars of the Future last year and is now destined for the bull sales later in the year. Stormzy is a son of the 70,000gns Barnsford Ferny which was on loan from Charlie Boden and out of Falleninch Orla, which stood second here in 2019.

Taking the blue and white sash among the females was the October, 2020-born heifer, Airthmains Rosie, from Dexter Russell, Lesliepark, Denny, which was brought out by Laura Campbell and Robert Palmer. One of four cows in the herd, she is by Thrunton Lachlan, which is a previous senior male champion at the Stars of the Future and out of Lesliepark Maggie.

British Simmental

Supreme amongst the Simmentals was an entry from father and son duo, Reece and Andrew Simmers’ 80-cow herd from Moray.

Their April, 2020-born heifer, Islavale Lullaby, was on her first outing since being bought at Carlisle in December, 2021, where she stood overall champion and is now destined for the North shows. A daughter of Shacon Hannibal, she is out of Islavale Inspire.

Following her all day from the same class was Annick Ginger’s Lucia, from the Quarms, of Holehouse, Irvine. Brought out by Andrew Perratt and Matt Gilliland, she will form part of the dispersal sale of 90 cows and calves from the herd in September at United Auctions', Stirling centre.

She is sired by the stock bull, Wolfstar Gold Digger and out of Annick Coleen’s Ginger, which stood second in her class here. Lucia has already been champion at Ayr Show in May and was reserve female here last year at the Showcase.

Leading the males was the two-year-old bull, Drumsleed Legacy, from Gerald and Morag Smith and son Douglas, from Laurencekirk. Their bull is a son of the stock sire, Wolfstar Gordy, which has bred bulls to 8500gns, and out of the show cow, Drumsleed Farina, which has bred bulls to 11,000gns. On his first outing, he is now destined for local shows later this summer.

John and Michael Barlow’s Denizes Monty, from Four Oaks, Leyland, Lancs, was awarded the reserve male title. He bagged a red ticket at Agri Expo in 2021 with the January, 2021-born bull being a son of Denizes Hamish, which has bred bulls to 9500gns, and out of Denizes Trixie-Belle 6, which had bred sons to 10,000gns.

British Limousin

Pabo Procters landed the breed champion for the Jenkinson team, Penrith, having been brought out by stockman, Craig Douglas.

This bull was bought at Carlisle in October, 2020, from WP Hughes and Sons, Rhosgoch, Anglesey, for 18,000gns. On his first outing since then, the rising three-year-old bull is a son of the International Limousin Congress male champion, Derrygullinane Kingbull and out of Pabo Jympa, a Sympa daughter which is a full sister of the 13,000gns Pabo Francis.

The reserve breed champion, Deveronvale Razzledazzle from Graham Morrison, Deveronvale, Cornhill, was inter-breed junior champion. Brought out by stockman, Gary Patterson, this bull was sold in May at Carlisle for 24,000gns to Steven Wilson’s Impulsive herd, from Corby Hill, Carlisle. A November, 2020-born son of Foxhillfarm Jasper, he is out of the show heifer, Aultside Jazz and is a half sister to Mr Patterson's 65,000gns bull, Aultside Meanmachine.

Leading the female line up was the best from Stephen and Thomas Illingworth, Howgillside Farm, Eaglesfield.Their winner came in the form of the September, 2020-born heifer, Glenrock Redruby. A home-bred female she is a daughter of the French bull, Sympa, and out of Glenrock Jewel, which stood reserve female champion here in 2015. Redruby stood champion at the new pedigree show at Livescot, in November, last year.

Stirling breeders, Dougie and Lynda Graham and sons, John and James, were awarded the reserve female rosette with their May, 2020-born heifer, Burnbank Rubytuesday. Her pedigree features the sire, Wilodge Lj onto the dam, Burnbank Grace.

British Blonde

Cumbria-based Thor Atkinson scored a hat-trick amongst the Blondes, winning the breed championship for a third time.

With no males forward, it was a guaranteed female victory with the supreme being Brownhill Netta, a five-year-old cow bought from TM and J Hope, South Brownhill. No stranger to the silverware having already lifted the tri-colour at the Three Counties, and reserve inter-breed at South of England and Northumberland. A daughter of Hallfield Homer, she is out of Brownhill JO.

Her calf, Newland Tanza, was awarded the blue and white ticket having already stood reserve junior inter-breed at the Three Counties. January-born, she is by Ark Maverick.

British Blue

It was a day to remember for Kevin Watret, Solway View, Dumfries, when he secured his 10th win in this breed at Ingliston.

Solway View Kesha got that final tap to follow on from her previous best as reserve female at the Royal Welsh in 2018. This seven-year-old cow is a daughter of Solway View Firecracker, and is out of Bringlee Evadine. She paraded in calf to Tamhorn Sumo.

It was a female day when the reserve female, Droit Penny, went on to take the runner-up spot for father and son duo, Fred and Dean Saunders, Cumbria. Their March, 2020-born heifer was bought in October from Richard Mowbray, Ireland, and is a daughter of the 14,000gns Greystone Kellogs and out of Driot Jen. She was on her first outing and is now destined for the Great Yorkshire.

A massive five-year-old bull from David McKerrow and sons, David and James, Uppermill, Aberdeenshire, landed the male championship, to follow on from his inter-breed win at Angus Show. Solway View Monty, bred by Kevin Watret, was purchased at Carlisle, for 12,000gns and is an ET son of Tweeddale Iron Man, bred from the top breeding show cow, Solway View Elegance.

It was the best show yet for Lanarkshire breeder, Ian McGarva, of Nether Abington, too when he secured the reserve male with his September, 2020-born home-bred bull, Abington Pablo. He is a son of Rocco De La Hasse, out of Abington Monico, whose full sister, Abington Lily, was a successful show cow. A full brother to Pablo was sold in May at Carlisle for 10,000gns.

Salers

Edgerston Trading's farm manager, Neil Ralston, and his son Lewis (14) Camptown, Jedburgh, produced their first Ingliston champion in the two-year-old heifer, Kaimburn Precious.

Part of the farm's 100-cow herd, she is by the privately purchased bull, Cuil Marvin, out of Kaimburn Madonna, and is heading for the Yorkshire.

Reserve male also went to Edgerston and the March, 2021-born bull Kaimburn Ronaldo, a Bacardi Ladysman son out of Oaklands Impulse. He is also part of the team heading to Harrogate.

Father and son duo, Roy and Adam Crockett, Melrose, landed the reserve overall title with the April, 2017-born cow, Bacardi Miss Moneypenny, which has two full sisters, Bacardi Jessie Jay and Bacardi Kesha, which were champion here in 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Miss Moneypenny stood inter-breed champion at Stirling and Northumberland as a heifer and is the result of a mating between the French sire, Gulliver, and the 11-year-old dam, Cleuchhead Delilah 3. She was paraded with her December-born heifer calf, Bacardi Rhea, at foot.

Her full brother, Bacardi Rodney, a rising yearling from the same home, secured the top ticket among the males.

Commercial

Irish breeders, Gareth Corrie, Johnny Neal and Charles Bever, from JCB Commercials, lifted the tri-colour in a strong section with a bought in heifer. Their show star was the May, 2021-born heifer, Fifty Shades of Grey, which is sired by Ampertaine Elgin, out of a Limousin cross dam and was bred by Derek Ford.

A double win for the females, saw the reserve overall presented to the second best heifer from Stewart and Lynsey Bett, from Stirling.

Their yearling heifer, Sexy Spice, has already notched up a few wins in the show circuit, having stood reserve overall at the National Beef Expo, supreme at the Aberdeen Spring Show, Thainstone, as well as champions of champions at Ayr Show and breed champion at Stirling.

She was bought privately at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair last year from her breeder, Llyr Hughes, of Pabo Limousins. A daughter of the top breeding sire, Pabo Oldspice, she is out of a Limousin cross British Blue female.

The male winner was awarded to Buckaroo, from Andrew Ireland, Feoch, Darvel, who was enjoying his first big win at the Highland in three years exhibiting.

His September, 2021-born steer is sired by Fieldson Mahrez, out of a Limousin cross dam and was bred by Andrew Marston. He stood first in his class at Ayr Show and is now destined for the Great Yorkshire.

Wigtownshire breeders, Alister and Liz Vance, Bridgehouse, Whithorn, secured the blue and white ticket among the steers with Hoopla, purchased at Livescot from Brian Harper. This 17-month-old steer is sired by Greenwells Norman and out of a Limousin bulling heifer that Mr Harper had purchased from the Vances.