Some 220 cattle including 165 pedigrees alongside 55 commercial animals were entered for the national competition in what proved to be one of the best displays of cattle seen in Ireland for many years. The two judges, both from Britain, had a long day, with judging lasting over seven hours.
Some 220 cattle including 165 pedigrees alongside 55 commercial animals were entered for the national competition in what proved to be one of the best displays of cattle seen in Ireland for many years.
The two judges, both from Britain, had a long day, with judging lasting over seven hours.
In the pedigree ring the task was handed to Duncan Hazard of the well-known Mereside herd. He found his overall champion in the form of three-year-old Baileys Ice Princess, a proven animal on the show circuit.
The junior cow class winner went on to claim senior female champion ahead of overall female before being put to the test before the bulls when she was also triumphant.
Shown by the Connell brothers, Oldcastle, Co Meath, the Baileys Darwin daughter was bred by Thomas Bailey. The first-calver previously won the Balmoral Limousin championship as well as Tullamore in 2015 and 2016. She was shown with her March Kaprico Erravelle heifer calf at foot, and the outfit seems to be unstoppable in current form.
Reserve
Standing reserve was the male champion from earlier in the day, Derrygullinane Kingbull.
This May 2015 bull bred by Gerry Walsh of Ballina, Co Mayo, held off stiff competition in the male championship. He is sired by Gerrygullinane Glen who was also bred by the Walsh family and sold for an undisclosed fee as an eight-month-old calf to the prestigious Wilodge herd in England. He secured a number of championships on his way from intermediate male champion to overall male before being tapped out by judge Duncan Hazard as reserve overall of the show.
Reserve female and male honours
Reserve female honours again went to Oldcastle breeders, this time to the Smith family with Brookmill Jocelyn. Shown for her first time in Virginia just two days ago where she claimed overall champion, her pedigree is steeped with champions. Sired by well-known Haltcliffe Dancer, she is out of Millbrook Florence who is a full-sister to three-time Balmoral interbreed champion Millbrook Ginger Spice.
In the male ring reserve honours went to the Tynan family in Mountrath who just last Tuesday held an open day for the International congress. Elite Jason ET claimed the spot on a very successful day for the family and their 24 entries. Sired by Ampertaine Foreman and out of Ardlea Gig, the bull turns two next month.
Commercial
In the commercial ring Derrick Forde’s Elsa was again out on top. This heifer is not even two years old and has swept the boards all summer, claiming top spot at all the major shows. Sired by Millbrook Dartangan, she is out of a purebred Belgian Blue cow sired by Empire. Her March-born full-brother also claimed top spot and the two are going to the Elite sale which takes place after the YMA competitions at 2pm on Saturday in Cillin Hill.
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: