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Over the last number of weeks, the Irish Shorthorn Cattle Society has held a number of all-Ireland classes at regional shows throughout the country.
Kicking off the action was Limerick Show at the end of last month, where owners travelled from all corners of the country to try their hand at securing the all-Ireland yearling heifer class.
With a large entry on the day, judge Phillip Salter from Skibbereen, Co Cork, found his champion in the form of Bushypark Cherry 2nd from John Keane, Kilfenora, Co Clare.
Bred from the stock bull Rowanberry Francis, Cherry is no stranger to success, having claimed the overall Shorthorn championship at Tullamore two weeks previously, as well as an all-Ireland heifer calf championship last year.
Taking the reserve honours in the strong class was Noel and Lisa Dowd, Creggs, Co Galway, with Fanore Aoife.
This January 2015-born heifer is out of the bull Rowanberry Eliezer, going back on a Fanore cow, Cookie 2012.
Topping a great day out for the breed, both John and Lisa later went on to place first and second respectively in the ICBF replacement index class.
The relatively new class, which was launched last year at Limerick Show, combines both showing qualities of the animal and the €uro-Star indices they carry.
Strokestown
On to Strokestown Show, where the society held its annual all-Ireland calf championships.
Once again, it proved a day to remember for Clare breeder John Keane. Despite the wet ground conditions on the day, judges Thomas and Kate Madden from Co Antrim made short work of the six all-Ireland calf classes, which saw calves from the length and breadth of the country in attendance.
First into the ring were the females, with Tom Fox, Athlone, Co Westmeath, securing the first championship with Bethlehem Demi. This December 2015 Bethlehem Breeze daughter is out of Kilbeagh Majorett Grade B.
Clare breeder Pat Hehir was out in force to claim the intermediate heifer championship sash when his heifer Ardnaskea Angel 4th was triumphant.
Sired by Glenisla Explorer 825, this January heifer is out of the homebred dam, Ardnaskea Angel.
Finishing up the females, the junior calf championship was awarded to Conor Craig, Edworthstown, Co Longford, for his young Lismacool Gus daughter, Millbawn Aoife.
On to the males and it was the Flatley family from Kilkelly, Co Mayo, who were first up for the championship honours.
It was their Doon Erasmus son who caught the judges’ eye to be tapped forward as the senior bull calf champion.
In the intermediate section, it was Bushypark Tiger who claimed top spot for breeder John Keane, Kilfenora, Co Clare.
Sired by Rowanberry Francis, he is out of the dam Lisgaugh Cherry, making him a full sister to the Limerick and Tullamore champion Bushypark Cherry 2nd. Tiger went on to secure the overall breed title later in the day.
Finishing up the championships and securing the last sash of the day was Tommy Staunton, Kinvara, Co Galway, with Caramba Ultra Kebbie. This April-born son of Bushypark Ultra is out of the Blelack Rupert-bred dam Lowther Crocus.
Tiger sale
While Bushypark Cherry will be retained in the herd, the Keane family, following his all-Ireland win, have sold Bushypark Tiger to Scotland for an undisclosed sum in a private sale.
Successful buyer was this year’s Shorthorn judge at Tullamore Show, Jack Ramsey.
Having put his full sister up at Tullamore Show and having seen the bull himself at a recent herd visit, the Ayrshire breeder, who runs the noted Millerson herd, had to wait until after the all-Irelands to secure the February-born Rowanberry Francis son.
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