On the day I was looking for an animal that was well-fleshed, correct and had that bit of character and ring presence. In my opinion the champion ticks all those boxes, she’s just my type of heifer.”

That’s how judge Jennifer Hyslop described her overall champion at the Summer Spectacular commercial cattle show at Ballymena Livestock Mart on Saturday 6 September.

Having been pipped at the post in 2024, the Cochrane family made no mistake this year, claiming the supreme overall champion with their Charolais-cross heifer, Daisy.

This mid-weight heifer commenced her journey to supremacy when she came first against 15 other mid-weight heifers, before taking on 12 other Charolais under Jean McKay’s expert eye, who awarded her Charolais champion.

Best exhibitor bred

Daisy then went on to stand top of the line in the largest class of the day, the best exhibitor bred animal under McKay. The day culminated with Jennifer Hyslop tapping Daisy out as overall female champion, before crowning her supreme champion of the show. Born in May 2024, Daisy is a daughter of the Charolais stock bull, Clonmahon Chieftain and a Limousin-cross cow. In reserve was the first prize winner from the 438kg lightweight steer class, exhibited by the Gormley brothers from Claudy. Having muscled his way out of the lightweight bullocks category, he went on to attain the overall steer championship under Hyslop.

The Pabo Rocknroll-sired bull calf continued to impress judge Hyslop, who then went on to tap the Gormley brothers out as reserve supreme champion behind the Cochrane’s Charolais heifer.

Reserve supreme champion shown by Fergal Gormley. \ Bo Davidson

Calf champion

Stealing the limelight in the calf section was Alan and Charlie Veitch’s stylish black Limousin heifer calf under 380kg, kindly sponsored by ABP.

Jennifer Hyslop couldn’t take her eyes of this 370kg heifer, awarding her first in her class, before going on to pick her as overall calf champion and send her home with the new supreme calf champion shield, presented by Bobby Patterson.

This March 2025-born calf is a daughter of Graiggoch Rambo, who also sired last year’s supreme champion of the show. Meanwhile, Trevor Shields from Kilkeel landed the breeding heifer championship with his black Limousin heifer, Strider. The Trueman Idol daughter withstood the challenge of 16 other heifers to earn the ultimate prize.