Vanessa, a Limousin cross heifer from Michael and Mark Robertson, Fodderletter Farms, was named best in show, at a sunny Nairn Show.
Head judge Colin Manson of Brodieshill, described the supreme as a very correct, sweet heifer with style, character and a great back end. The home-bred heifer on her show debut is sired by Homebyres Nistelrooy and out of a home-bred Limousin cross cow.
Inter-breed beef champ judge Bob Adam of Newhouse of Glamis, said: “She is a stand out animal, very correct. Just a very good beast.”
Also competing for the champion of champions was the overall horse winner, a Highland pony. The six-year-old home-bred mare, Kilravoch Solusda from Ailsa and Joanna Baird of Easter Lochend, Nairn is sired by Trowan Miracle and out of Solus Gaelach of Lismore. She was reserve overall horse at last year’s Black Isle Show.
Completing the trio in the main ring for the supreme overall was the inter-breed sheep champion from Mark Munro, Invercharron, Ardgay.
His three-crop Beltex ewe, Criffel Flower, is by Tercrosset Emperor and out of Heatheryhall Brenda. She was reserve Beltex at the Sutherland the previous week and at Black Isle last year.
LEADING awards
Highland (Judge: J Lang, Invergordon). Champion – Leys Castle Farm, Inverness with the yearling heifer Lora 2 of Leys, sired by Dougald 2 of Leys, out of Lora of Mottistone. Reserve – Tordarroch Estate, Farr, Inverness with the three-year-old heifer Phiobaidh 142 of Balmoral, sired by Lachlan of Earn and out of Phiobaidh 106 of Balmoral. Cow, calf, yearling heifer – Leys Castle Farm. Three-year-old heifer, two-year-old heifer – Tordarroch Estate.
Aberdeen Angus (Judge: J Fowlie, Adziel, Strichen). Champion – A and K Rhind, Newton of Struthers, with Newton-Struthers Espresso, a three-year-old heifer by Idvies Ed, out of Newton-Struthers Emma. She won nine championships in 2023 and was beef champion at New Deer the previous week. Reserve – A Shepherd, Orbliston, Fochabers with a March 2023-born bull, Obrliston Endevour on its first outing. He is sired by the 8000gns Schivas Methlick Boy and out of Orbliston Emily W225. Bull – A Shepherd. Heifer – A and K Rhind. Yearling heifer – Ballindalloch Home Farm, Ballindalloch. Cow, heifer calf – J and L Forbes, Lochdhu, Nairn.
Shorthorn (Judge: J Fowlie). Champion and reserve – G Stephen, Hatton Farm, Dallas. Supreme was the home-bred yearling bull Glenduel Titon, sired by Jason of Upsall and out of Coldrochnie Erina Rainbow. Reserve was the two-year-old heifer Dunsyre Daisy Gretta 19, bought at the herd dispersal. She is sired by Fearn No Limits, out of Dunsyre Daisy Gretta 15. Champion at the Black Isle 2023. All classes – G Stephen.
Limousin (Judge: G Mackay, Muir of Ord). Champion, reserve and reserve inter-breed – R and K Davidson, Corsairtly, with the January 2023-born heifer Corsairtly Universe, a daughter of Whinfellpark Ronaldo out of Corsairtly Orbit. First at the Highland. Reserve was the 15-month-old bull Corsairtly Umbro, also sired by Ronaldo but out of Corsairtly Indie. Senior bull – R and K Davidson. Junior bull, heifer calf – Messrs McConichie, Strathelen Ringorm farm, Craigellachie. Cow – Messrs Stephen, Meikle Geddes, Nairn. Bull calf – A and K Rhind.
Simmental (Judge: G Mackay). Champion and reserve – G Patterson, Delfur Farming, with Delfur Weigela N12, a 12-month-old heifer, by the 9000gns Ballymoney Larry, out of Delfur Weigela E12. Reserve at the Borderway Agri Expo 2023 and Angus show 2024. Reserve was Delfur Nifty a 19-month heifer also by Larry and out of Delfur Joyful. Junior inter-breed champion at the Royal Highland and inter-breed at Livescot and Agri Expo 2023. Senior bull, cow – Pitgaveny farm, Elgin. Junior bull, heifer born 2022 – Delfur Farming. Heifer – E Smith, Towiemore, Drummuir, Keith. Heifer 2023 – Messrs Maciver, Wester Coltfield, Kinloss.
Charolais (Judge: G Mackay). Champion and reserve – RA Milne and Sons, Kennieshillock, with the 14-month-bull, Elgin Ullapool on his first outing. Sired by the £20,000 bull Thurso Paul out of Elgin Libby. Reserve was the 16-month bull Elgin Ulysses also by Thurso Paul and out of Elgin Peril. All classes – R A Milne.
Cross-bred (Judge: R Mackay, Lybster). Champion, reserve, inter-breed beef and champion of champions – M Robertson, Easter Fodderletter, Tomintoul, with the home-bred Limousin cross heifer Vanessa on its first outing. Sired by Homebyres Nistelrooy and out of a homebred cow. Reserve was the home-bred Limousin cross yearling stot Brewdog. The February 2023-born bullock is sired by the Beachmont Pacman, and out of a home-bred cow. Cow, 2024 born steer, cow and calf – Fraser family, Easter Clune, Lethen, Nairn. Heifer in calf – Georgia Fraser, Little Croy farm, Croy. Aged steer, aged heifer, pair – M Robertson. Autumn 2023-born steer – J Munro, Invercharron. 2024-born heifer – Smallburn Farms, Plewlands, Duffus. 2024-born calf shown by under 30yr handler – Anna Fettes, Braes of Enzie, Buckie. 2024-born calf shown by under 15yr handler – Erin Fettes, Braes of Enzie, Buckie.
Another other pure breed (Judge: J Fowlie). Champion – S Balfour, Easter Fodderletter, Tomintoul with the previously unshown British Blue heifer Clifton Starburst, bred by Dylan Townhead. Sired by Dafdd O’Chain and bred from Cliffton Lady Luck which was inter-breed champion at Northumberland and Lincolnshire Shows. Reserve – WD Stephen, Meikle Geddes, Nairn with the British Blue bull, Strawberryfield North Star on his first outing. The five-year-old was bought from Norbreck Genetics and is an ex-AI sire. Bull – WD Stephen. Heifer – S Balfour.
Blackface (Judge: W Walker, Kirriemuir). Champion – Glenrinnes Farms, Dufftown with a ewe lamb on its first outing. Sired by a £2000 Crosswood hill tup and out of a ewe sired by a £4500 Merkland tup. Reserve – D and C Carson, Tigh N’ulaidh, Tomatin with a tup lamb, sired by a Livet tup and out of a ewe by a Midlock ram. Aged tup, shearling tup, ewe lamb – Glenrinnes Farms. Ewe, gimmer, tup lamb, group of three, pair – D and C Carson. Young handler – E Johnstone, Fasagh, Errogie, Inverness.
Suffolk (Judge: R Bryce, Stirling). Champion and reserve – K Ingram, Grange, Keith, with the supreme being a two-crop ewe by a Benrafton tup and out of a Strathbogie-sired ewe. Reserve was a home-bred gimmer out of a Sandyknowe ewe. All classes – K Ingram.
Texel (Judge: D McKerrow, Tarves). Champion – P Gill, Duncroft, Wester Raddery, Fortrose, with a gimmer by Duncryne Frankie Boy out of a homebred ewe. Reserve – K Ingram, Grange, with a five-crop ewe on its first outing. Sired by Allanfauld Artois and out of an Alt More ewe. Aged tup, ewe – K Ingram. Shearling tup, ewe lamb – A Christie, Birchfield, Glass, Huntly. Gimmer – P Gill. Tup lamb – M Hanson and D Irvine, Upper Drakemyers farm, Forgie, Keith.
Blue Texel (Judge: J Graham, Stirling). Champion – A and K Rhind, Newton of Struthers, Kinloss with the ewe lamb JLO, sired by Pistyll Elite and out of Matts Gooseberry. Reserve – J Duncan, Inchford, Cornhill with a ewe lamb on its first outing. Sired by Carlys Hulk and out of Nantydeeri Going-For-Gold. Aged tup – J Munro, Invercharron. Gimmer, tup lamb, pair – J Duncan. Ewe lamb – A and K Rhind.
Bluefaced Leicester (Judge: M Adam, Forfar). Champion and reserve – P Gill, Duncroft, Wester Raddery, with a home-bred ewe, by a Back O’Bennachie tup, out of a ewe by a Easter Dounie ram. Reserve was a home-bred gimmer on its first outing by the same sire. All classes – P Gill.
Beltex (Judge: A Ingram, Pitcaple). Champion – J Munro and Son, Invercharron, Ardgay with the ewe Criffel Flower, sired by Tercrosset Emperor and out of a Heatheryhall ewe. Champion at the Black Isle in 2023. Reserve – S Stephen, Meikle Geddes, Nairn, with the aged tup Logie Durno Houdini bought as a lamb for 4000gns. Sired by Buckles Fury and on its first outing. Aged tup, gimmer, tup lamb – S Stephen. Ewe, ewe lamb – J Munro.
Zwartbles (Judge: J Pirie, Kingussie). Champion – A Baird, Dunblane with the gimmer Greystones Laurel, by Greystones Hero out of Greystone Finesse. Champion at the Royal Highland, Drymen and Stirling. Reserve – K and W Anderson, Cairnhill, Farr, with the shearling tup, Janetstown Legacy, by Aquila Jumanji and out of Janetstown Juniper. Champion at Turriff in 2023 and Sutherland 2024. Aged tup, ewe, gimmer – A Baird. Shearling tup, ewe lamb, tup lamb – K and W Anderson.
Jacob (Judge: E Macmillan, Fintry). Champion – J Milton, Newton of Auchindachy, Keith with the one-crop, four-horned ewe, Beeches Stacy. Sired by Edingale Hogweed and out of a Beeches ewe from Willie Patterson. Reserve – I Forsyth, Aulton, Cragellachie with a ewe lamb by Kinloch Kaiser and out of an Adamski ewe. Tup, gimmer, ewe lamb – I Forsyth. Ewe, tup lamb – J Milton.
Cross-bred (Judge: A Coghill, Halkirk). Champion and reserve – L Anderson, Plewlands, Duffus with a pen of three Suffolk cross Texel ewe lambs. Reserve was a pen of three prime Beltex cross Suffolk lambs. All classes – L Anderson.
Mules (Judge: K Adam). Champion and reserve – D and D Leslie, Redhill, Mosstowie, Elgin with three Mule gimmers. Reserve was another pen of three mule gimmers. All classes – D and D Leslie.
Any other breed MV accredited (Judge: R Bryce, Stirling). Champion – Y Spence, Gowan Brae, Skye of Curr, Dulnain Bridge with the home-bred Charollais gimmer Bridget Bardot. Sired by Braemuir Voltaire and out of Gwyndy Volare. Reserve – M Hanson and D Irvine, Upper Drakemyers, Keith with a Badger face Texel ewe lamb. Shearling tup – D Henderson, Moronatha, Crossemore, Daviot. Ewe – K Ingram. Gimmer – Y Spence. Tup lamb, ewe lamb – M Hanson and D Irvine.
Any other breed non-MV accredited (Judge: I Fowlie, Strichen). Champion – A MacLeod, Whitebridge Cottage, Cawdor with an aged hill Cheviot tup bought from Dingwall for £200 on its first outing. Reserve – L Holmes, Cragiebank, Keith with a park-type Cheviot two-crop ewe, bought as a lamb for £700 from Ben Backer who recently won the Royal Welsh. Sired by Bardnaclavan Allgold. Tup – A MacLeod. Shearling tup, tup lamb – U Leonardi, Salmon Bothy, Rockfield, Portmahomack. Ewe – Craigiebank, Forgie, Keith. Gimmer – A Aird, Glenurquart, Cromarty. Ewe lamb – Finn Davidson, Gibston house, Keith.
Young handlers (Judge: C Matheson, Balblair). Under 10yrs – 1, Millie Morwick, Druid Temple; 2, Lachlan Hurlford, Upper Inchallan, Elgin; 3, Murray McIvor, Blackmuir Croft, Dingwall. 11yrs plus – 1, Ewan Baird, Greystone, Dunblane; 2, Lucy Anderson, Plewlands Farm, Duffus, Elgin.
Clydesdales (Judge: S Greenhill, Fife). Champion – MW and JL Munro, Hollyview, Janetsown, Thurso, with the home-bred two-year-old filly Gersa Lady Emma. Sired by Collessie Monarch and out of Gera Lady Lauren. Third at the World Clydesdale Show in 2022 and champion at Caithness in 2023. Reserve – S and D Hepburn, Midcoul, with the three-year-old filly Tulloes Jennifer, sired by Doura Geronimo and out of Tulloes Claire. Champion at Sutherland in 2023 and reserve in 2024. Senior gelding, yearling filly, harness – D and B Walker, Easter Galcantry, Cawdor, Nairn. Junior gelding, yeld mare, stallion – S and D Hepburn. Brood mare, foal – I Young, Wellheads, Clochan. Two-year-old filly – Messrs Munro. Young handlers – Angus Hepburn, Midcoul.
Highland ponies (Judge: AJ Baird, Blairgowrie). Champion and overall horse – A and J Baird, Easter Lochend, Nairn with the six-year-old mare Kilravoch Solusda, sired by Trowan Miricle and out of Solus Gaelach of Lismore. Reserve – C Molyneux with the two-year-old gelding George of Meggernie, shown by H Maclennan. Yeld mare – Messrs Baird. Yearling – S Murray, 3 Log Cabins, Drummond Farm, Dores. Two-year-old – C Molyneux.
Standard Shetland (J Barry, Black Isle). Champion and reserve – T Pethrybridge, Balbair Cottage, Croy with the home-bred two-year-old filly Renshaw Vixen. Reserve at Brodie earlier in the year. Sired by Combebank Defender and out of Lathan Velvet Rose. Reserve was the four-year-old mare Lathan Junie which was reserve at Sutherland show in 2023. Sired by Headowick Black Jack and out of Latham Jolene. Colt/gelding – Carrisgil Shetlands, Roadside Cottage, Lybster. Brood mare, foal – Messrs Swan, Teanahaun croft, Connon Bridge. Yeld mare, filly – Pethybridge. Yearling – Messrs Stewart, Littleburn, Munlochy. Coloured – L Ferguson, Tuimbhig, Tomatin.
Miniature Shetland (J Barry). Champion – F Johnstone, Glen Ord with the thee-year-old filly, Glen Ord Sassy Lassie, sired by Milday Master Mason, out of Milday Dar-re-mi. Reserve – Phlair Stud, 47 Windsor Place, Conon Bridge, with the 11-year-old stallion Kimrina Romany, by Alanamoor Romany Prince. Stallion, brood mare, yeld mare – Phlair Stud. Filly, yearling – F Johnstone. Young handlers – Chloe Macdonald, Phlair.
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