Stars of the Future saw ten different class breeds

The show took place over two days last weekend with the young handlers competition judged on the Friday night. It was junior winner, 13-year-old Jim Goldie, Newbiemains, Dumfries, who was picked out by judge Jason Wareham, High Weald, Sussex, as the overall champion among the youngsters showing his August 2023-born Simmental bull.

The Hereford Senior Champion Panmure 1 Plum from J M Cant and Partners Easter Knox, Arbroath. Leading the intermediate section was Amy Vance, Bridgehouse Farms, Newton Stewart, with her Limousin cross heifer Shaboozey while Andrew Reid, AJR Farms, Ellon, took champion in the senior section, showing Charolais heifer Newlogie Uroyaleclipse.

Saturday saw Mr Wareham tasked with judging the continental interbreed senior and junior champions.

Leading the seniors was the aforementioned Shaboozey from the Vance family. An August 2023-born Limousin cross heifer, Shaboozey is sired by Homebyres Norham and out of Limousin cross cow Too Glam to Give A Damn.

Taking Simmental Senior Champion was Bowhill Petal from Bowhill Simmentals, Rachel Reid, Low Bowhill Farm, Newmains She’s already made a splash on the show circuit this year having taken supreme commercial and interbreed champion at Ayr and reserve champion at the Great Yorkshire Show.

Reserve senior went to Solway View Taffy, an October 2023-born British Blue heifer from Kevin Watret, Solway View, Annan.

A daughter of sire Boheard Overdose and dam Solway View Limelight, Taffy won interbreed calf at Borderway Agri Expo earlier in the month.

Taking Aberdeen Angus senior champion and Native Senior Champion was Foxhill Princess Carina from Foxhill In the continental juniors, it was Sean Mitchell’s Huttonend Veda that secured the tricolour ticket. A 10-month-old Charolais heifer on her first outing, she is bred by Clenagh Jasper 2 and out of home-bred Huttonend Rose.

Rounding off the continentals reserve junior saw the seven-month Limousin cross heifer Black Pearl take the blue sash for John Smith Jackson, Haydon Bridge, Hexham. She is the result of sire Hightown Jacko and out of a Limousin cross cow.

In the native section it was Mr Wareham’s better half Sarah who oversaw the senior and junior interbreeds.

Simmental junior champion went to Drumglog Richard from Robbie Hamilton, Allanton Farm, Darvel. It was a good day for Michael and Melanie Alford of the Foxhill herd, Devon, who made the trip up north worthwhile, securing both senior native and junior native championships.

Senior went to Foxhill Princess Carina, a 15-month-old Aberdeen Angus heifer by Weeton Evolution and bred from last year’s Highland Show champion Blelack Princess Carina X125. Carina took yearling champion at the recent Agri Expo.

Foxhill’s junior champion was Foxhill Princess Caroline, a 10-month Aberdeen Angus heifer. She is sired by Kilmaluag Eriskay and is an embryo transfer from Blelack Princess Caroline, a cow bought for 28,000gns.

Reserve senior male and one half of the continental pairs champion Limousin bull Grahams Upbeat from R and J Graham,Airthrey Kerse, Bridge of Allan. Reserve in the senior section went to the November 2023-born Galloway heifer Rogan Katie 3 from Dexter and Carolyn Logan, Alva, Stirling. Bred out of Barlaes Katie 42, Katie is sired by Blackcraig Kodiak.

Taking reserve among the junior natives was David and Tom Bradley Farmer’s Beef Shorthorn bull, Meonside Volantis.

Based at the family’s Meonside herd, Wester Parkgate, Dumfries, this 10-month-old bull calf is the son of Fearn Wyvis and bred from polled dam Meonside Desiree Sim Roma.

Junior champion in Any other breed section went to British Blonde heifer Hutton Veda 11 from Sean Mitchell, Grassknop Farm, Skelton, Penrith. The penultimate award of the show, the Joe Watson Memorial trophy for interbreed pair, saw husband-and-wife duo Mr and Mrs Wareham join forces to choose the best pair out of both continental and native categories.

It was two Highlanders that secured the top honours for Bradford’s Robert and Dianne Bradley, Moorside. The Highland paternal brother and sister consisted of 10-month old bull Maverick of Moorside and 10-month-old heifer Bonnie Melody of Moorside, both sired by home-bred King John Of West Edmondsley.

Mrs Wareham described the duo as ‘an outstanding and well-matched pair, they stood out among the rest’.

Highland Senior Champion and one half of the interbreed pairs Bonnie Melody of Moorside was shown by Robert and Dianne Bradley, Moorside, Bradford. Taking reserve were the continental pair champions, November 2023-born Limousins from The Graham family, Airthrey Kerse, Bridge of Allan. The pair is bull Graham’s Upbeat, sired by Ampertaine Elgin and out of Dinmore Elle, alongside heifer Graham’s Umandy, a daughter of Gunnerfleet Lion and dam Ironstone Dumandy.

The show was rounded off with the brand-new group of three competition, with a new trophy kindly donated by the Royal Smithfield Club, and omprising three entries from each breed but not necessarily the same exhibitor.

It was the British Blues that came out on top, the trio consisting of Solway View Taffy, Coul Blue Tequila from Coul Estate, and Clifftown Up To No Good from Dylan Townend, Quarry Farm, Malton.

Highland Junior Champion went to Alistair of Pollock from Glasgow City Council The trophy will go home with the British Blue Society until it is returned for next year’s show.

Show chairman Rab Paterson said he was ‘absolutely delighted with how the event went with almost 400 calves entered’.

He continued: “We have brought on a new admin team with Pedigree Livestock Services and we are very pleased with how everything has gone, especially with the new Royal Smithfield Club trophy for best trio.”

Commercial senior and continental senior Champion went to Limousin cross heifer Shaboozey from Alistair and Liz Vance, Bridgehouse Farm, Whithorn, Newton Stewart

Leading Awards

Aberdeen-Angus (Judge: A Cormack). Senior champion and senior native champion – M and M Alford, Foxhill Farm, Devon with August 2023-born heifer Foxhill Princess Carina Z178, by Weeton Evolution R447 and from Blelack Princess Carina X125. Reserve senior – R and R Anderson, Forest Lodge, Kelso with September 2023-born heifer Andersons Elsa Z320, by Tonley Ronald X800 and from Eastfield Elsa W475. Junior champion and junior native champion – M and M Alford with January 2024-born heifer Foxhill Princess Caroline A265, by Kilmaluag Eriskay T203 and from Blelack Princess Caroline T867. Reserve junior – G Gray, Sunnycroft, Selkirk with March 2024-born heifer Ettrick Belle A350, by Linton Gilbertines President S021 and from Ettrick Belle S184.

Beef Shorthorn (Judge: B Birch). Senior champion – Brenda Wear, Windover Farm, Bristol with August 2023-born bull Redhill Taunton, by Fearn No Limits and from Dunsyre Lily 91. Reserve senior – B and J Landers and Son, Bargaly Farm, Newton Stewart with July 2023-born bull Cairnsmore Trigger, by Redhills Lord Thunder and from Cairnsmore Ginerva Averell. Junior champion and reserve junior native champion – D and T Bradley Farmer, Wester Parkgate Farm, Dumfries with January 2024-born bull Meonside Volantis, by Fearn Wyvis and from Meonside Desiree Sim Roma. Reserve junior – R Taylor, Netherglinns Farm, Glasgow with March 2024-born heifer Strathkendrick Aphrodite, by Grovewoo Jackson and from Strathkendrick Matilda.

Charolais junior and junior continental interbreed champion Huttonend Veda from Grassknop Farm British Blue (Judge: A Price). Senior champion and reserve senior continental champion – K Watret, Maulcastle Farm, Annan with October 2023-born heifer Solway View Taffy, by Boheard Overdose and from Solway View Limelight. Reserve senior – DS Townend, Quarry Farm, Malton with August 2023-born heifer Clifftown That’s My Girl, by Vigneron De La Cheveratte and from Clifftown Naughty But Nice. Junior champion – H Jewitt, Show Winners, Gracie’s Farm, Barnard Castle with January 2024-born heifer Sunnybank U Beauty, by Heatherview Jack and from Springhill My Girl. Reserve junior – DS Townend with January 2024-born bull Clifftown Up To No Good, by Vigneron De La Cheveratte and from Clifftown Naughty but Nice.

Charolais (Judge: D Connolly). Senior champion – AJR Farms, Milton of Collieston, Ellon with October 2023-born heifer Newlogie Uroyaleclipse, by Maerdy Morwr and from Newlogie Royaleclipse. Reserve senior – R McNeil, 13 Castlehill, Doune with September 2023-born Douneside Umbro, by Neptune Jc and from Ravensworth Lunar. Junior champion and junior continental champion – S Mitchell, Grassknop Farm, Penrith with January 2024-born Huttonend Veda, by Clenagh Jasper 2 and from Huttonend Rose. Reserve junior – A Hornall, Falleninch Farm, Stirling with March 2024-born Falleninch Valderrama, by Falleninch Soptif and from Falleninch Sophia.

Cairnsmore Trigger took Reserve Beef Shorthorn Senior champion from Bill and Jane Landers, Cairnsmore herd, Bargaly Farm, Newton Stewart Commercial (Judge: K Ludgate). Senior champion and senior continental champion – A and E Vance, Bridgehouse Farm, Newton Stewart with August 2023-born Limousin cross heifer Shaboozey, by Homebyres Norham and from Too Glam To Give A Damn. Reserve senior – A Ireland, Braeside, Darvel with August 2023-born Limousin cross bull Duffers, by Carnew Milreef and from a Limousin cross cow. Junior champion and reserve junior continental champion – J Smith Jackson, Standalone, Hexham with April 2024-born Limousin cross heifer Black Pearl, by Hightown Jacko and out of a Limousin cross cow. Reserve junior – J Nisbet, Sorn Mains, Mauchline with February 2024-born British Blue cross heifer Stardust, by Familiar De Honitor and out of a British Blue cow.

Hereford (Judge: Millie Birch). Senior champion – JM Cant and Partners, Easter Knox Farm, Arbroath with December 2023-born heifer Panmure 1 Plum B2, by Romany 1Thor FR T4 and from Panmure 1 Plum T7. Reserve senior – J Hodge, Fellowhills Farm, Horndean with October 2023-born heifer Fellowhills 1 Perfection Alice, by Solpoll Perfection and from Fellowhills Royce Alice. Junior champion – I Skea, Glenbervie, Inverurie with February 2024-born bull Bennachie 1 Boss, by Bennachie 1 Tam and from Bennachie 1 Gaylass 2. Reserve junior – D Holmes, Back O Hill Farm, Glasgow with April 2024-born bull Back O Hill Bengal, by Anhay Porthoustock 891 and from Laxfield Diadem 157.

Aberdeen Angus Junior Champion and Native Junior Champion Foxhill Princess Caroline from Michael and Melanie Alford, Foxhill Farm, Devon Highland (Judge: S Hunter). Senior champion – R and D Bradley, Old Guy Road, Bradford with January 2023-born heifer Bonnie Melody of Moorside, by King John Of West Edmondsley and from Bonnie Meg 2 of Gray Brae. Reserve senior – S Mckay, Duiletter Farm, Dalmally with February 2023-born bull Ben Cruachan 4 of Castles Estate, by Eoin Mhor Of Castles Estate and from Susan 22 Of Ormsary. Junior champion – Glasgow City Council, Pollock Country Park, Glasgow with February 2024-born bull Alistair of Pollock, by Brogach Dubh Of Pollock and from Karene Dubh 3 Of Pollock. Reserve junior – I Mckay, Brindle Point Croft, Appin with January 2024-born heifer Eilidh Of Brindle Point Croft, by Kirkiboist Geal 2 Of Ardbhan and from Bridget 2 Of Brindle Point Croft.

Limousin (Judge: W Smith). Senior champion – A and J Gammie, Drumforber Farm, Laurencekirk with August 2023-born bull Westpit Uist, by Ampertaine Foreman and from Brockhurst Nutmeg. Reserve senior – R and N Barclay, South Road, Insch with October 2023-born heifer Harestone Upperclass, by Goldies Goldfinger and from Graham’s Naughtyspice. Junior champion – S and T Illingworth, Howgillside, Lockerbie with January 2024-born heifer Glenrock Vesuvius, by Powerful Irish and from Eagleside Lafayette. Reserve junior – R and J Graham, Airthrey Kerse, Bridge of Allan with April 2024-born heifer Graham’s Violet, by Graiggoch Rambo and from Graham’s Precious.

Winner of the group of three was the trio of British Blues from Solway View, Coul Blue and Clifftown (MacGregor Photography) Simmental (Judge: J Barlow). Senior champion – Rachael Reid, Low Bowhill Farm, Newmilns with September 2023-born heifer Bowhill Petal, by Pistyll Kingsman 18 and from Overhill House Mary. Reserve junior – C Maciver, Wester Coltfield, Forres with September 2023-born heifer Coltfield Perfect, by Rockytop Invader and from Coltfield Katie. Junior champion – R Hamilton, Allanton Farm, Darvel with April 2024-born bull Drumclog Richard, by Islavale Echo and from Islavale Margarita. Reserve junior – Delfur Farms, Dundurcas, Aberlour with January 2024-born heifer Delfur Roxy, by Woodhall Instinct and from Delfur Hells.

Any other breed (Judge: A Cormack). Senior champion and reserve senior native champion – D and C Logan, Greenhead Farm, Alva with November 2023-born Galloway heifer Rogan Katie 3, by Blackcraig Kodak and from Barlaes Katie 42. Reserve senior – Katy Maxwell, Faughill Farm, Melrose with September 2023-born Belted Galloway heifer Croasdale Una, by Lomond Whisky Galore and from Croasdale Opal. Junior champion – S Mitchell, Grassknop Farm, Penrith with January 2024-born Blonde heifer Hutton Veda II, by Abricot and from Drumraymond Sophia. Reserve junior – L Ralston, Edgerston Home Farm, Jedburgh with March 2024-born Salers bull Jedforest Unbeatable, by Tibet and from Kaimburn Raquel.

Interbreed pairs champion went to Robert and Dianne Bradley, Moorside, Bradford for their brother and sister Highlander duo (MacGregor Photography) Continental pairs (Judge: J Wareham). Champion and reserve overall pairs champion – R and J Graham, Airthrey Kerse, Bridge of Allan with their Limousin pair. The November 2023-born bull Graham’s Upbeat, by Ampertaine Elgin and from Dinmore Elle and the November 2023-born heifer Graham’s Umandy, by Gunnerfleet Lion and from Ironstone Dumandy.

Native pairs (Judge: Sarah Wareham). Champion and overall pairs champion – R and D Bradley, Old Guy Road, Bradford with Highland siblings the January 2023-born bull Maverick of Moorside and January 2023 heifer Bonnie Melody of Moorside both by sire King John Of West Edmondsley.

Young Handlers (Judge: J Wareham). Junior – 1 and overall champion, Jim Goldie, 2, Fletcher Russell, 3, Andrew Dunne, 4, Magnus Milne. Intermediate – 1, Amy Vance, 2, Lucy Clark, 3, Craig McKinnon, 4, James Young. Senior – 1, Andrew Reid, 2, Katie Allan, 3, April Forbes, 4, Faith Miskelly.