This year was the first year the Irish Charolais Cattle Society held their national finals at the premier one-day show that is Tullamore. Following in the footsteps of other breeds which now make the Butterfield estate their main day out, the Charolais this year attracted the largest number of all with 180 animals entered in total. Due to the large numbers present, the society undertook judging over two rings, one each for bulls and females. Roy Milne from the well-known Elgin herd in Morayshire, Scotland, took care of the male judging in ring one, while Tracey Nicolls, farm manager at Major Walter’s renowned Balthayock herd in Perthshire, Scotland, took on the task of judging the females in ring two.
This year was the first year the Irish Charolais Cattle Society held their national finals at the premier one-day show that is Tullamore. Following in the footsteps of other breeds which now make the Butterfield estate their main day out, the Charolais this year attracted the largest number of all with 180 animals entered in total.
Due to the large numbers present, the society undertook judging over two rings, one each for bulls and females. Roy Milne from the well-known Elgin herd in Morayshire, Scotland, took care of the male judging in ring one, while Tracey Nicolls, farm manager at Major Walter’s renowned Balthayock herd in Perthshire, Scotland, took on the task of judging the females in ring two.
With two at the helm, judging went off swiftly and by early afternoon the two already had their championship lineup in front of them. After time to deliberate their final choice, the two made their way to tap forward Sagesse Martha ET as the overall national Charolais champion for 2017.
Once tapped out, a massive cheer erupted around the Charolais ring for the popular champion. Bred by Brendan and Niall Canning, Rosses Point, Co Sligo, Martha is the result of an embryo sired by Adonis out of former Paris champion Contessie.
Born September 2016, she secured top spot in what was described as one of the best classes of Charolais heifers of the day before being awarded the senior female calf championship and subsequently the overall Charolais championship.
Capturing the reserve overall championship was Goldstar Maradona ET from Martin Ryan and family of Thurles, Co Tipperary. This September 2016-born son of Texan Gie is out of Goldstar Adorable, a Theodat daughter.
After heading up a fantastic class of September-born bulls, Maradona went on to claim the senior male calf championship and the title of reserve overall national show champion.
This win marked a highly successful day for the Ryans, who secured three first-prize rosettes in what was an outstanding show of Charolais cattle.
The senior championship, which was hotly contested by the five first-prize winners from the senior classes, was awarded to Benny Keating’s Prime Louise ET.
This big, powerful heifer won the heifer of the year born in 2015 championship before going one better and clinching the senior champion of the show. A much admired heifer, Louise is a January 2015-born daughter of Oldstone Egbert.
Reserve senior championship went to Clare breeder Michael Quinn from Newmarket-on-Fergus for his bull Clenagh Magnificent. This June 2016-born son of the UK sire Alwent Goldbar stood top of the line in a packed class of quality young bulls.
The Quinns also took the second-prize ribbon in this class with Clenagh Maserati, before picking up the reserve senior championship with Magnificent.
Donegal breeders John and Damien McElchar made the long journey from Lifford worthwhile as they won the junior female calf championship with Ballylast Nora. This March 2017-born heifer is a daughter of the legend that is Doonally New.
The reserve junior female calf championship went to well-known Westmeath breeder Jim Geoghegan with Lisnagre Nora ET.
This January 2017-born heifer is a daughter of Major and Ballydownan Simone ET and ticked all the boxes for female judge Tracey Nicolls.
Jim Geoghegan was back at the top once again when his September 2016-born heifer Lisnagre Mia ET stood reserve to Sagesse Martha ET in the senior female calf championship. Mia is another daughter of the French sire Major.
The competitive junior male calf championship was wrapped up by Limerick breeder Jerry O’ Keeffe with Grangewood Nugget.
The January 2017-born Nugget is a son of Goldstar Echo and has enjoyed a highly successful show season in the south, picking up a number of red rosettes.
Standing reserve in the junior male calf championship were Laois breeders Michael and Kathleen Hargroves with Ballydavis News ET.
The March 2017-born son of Bova Sylvain came through a powerful class of young bulls, despite being the youngest calf in his class.
Male judge Roy Milne found his reserve senior male calf champion in the form of Dalehill Macbeth.
This October 2016-born son of Cavelands Fenian was exhibited by Basil Kells from Co Cavan and was pipped to the senior male calf championship by the aforementioned Goldstar Maradona ET.
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