It was a glorious day in the sunny southeast on Sunday 12 July for the Growvite National Texel Championships, which took place in the beautiful setting of Dungarvan Show.

Judging this year's finals was Michael McHugh of the renowned Greenhill flock, a highly respected breeder and judge.

The Monaghan man spoke highly of the exceptional standard of sheep which went before him and said he was looking forward to following many of them through to the Irish Texel Premier Sale on 14 and 15 August.

For his supreme champion, Michael went for the overall male champion and winner of the open ram lamb class Treemore Jaguar. Bred by John and Neil Kidd from Co Wexford, Jaguar is a son of Drumcon His Royal Highness and will go for sale in Blessington next month.

Fergal O'Se with the female champion and reserve overall champion. \ John Neville

Standing reserve overall champion was the supreme female champion, the open senior ewe lamb from Kerry breeder Fergal O'Se. A daughter of Coniston Equinox, this exceptional ewe lamb also heads for Blessington in August.

Reserve champions

Claiming the reserve male championship was the second-prizewinner from the open ram lamb class, a Duncyran Hakuna Matata son exhibited by Galway breeder Patrick Joyce.

Patrick Joyce with the reserve male champion. \ John Neville

In the female championship, Michael tapped out the first-prizewinning aged ewe from Edward Buckley as the reserve overall female champion. Hailing from Co Cork, she is a daughter of Forkins Fancy.

Reserve female champion shown by Gavin Quirke, with owner Edward Buckley and judge Michale McHugh. \ John Neville

The first class of the day was the aged ram class, where Silverhill High Flyer from Declan Mangan claimed top spot. High Flyer was purchased as a lamb at the Premier Sale in Blessington in 2024.

The shearling ram class followed, with the O’Keeffes from Co Cork coming out on top with their stock ram Knockhill Influencer, a son of Drumcon His Royal Highness and Knockhill Fair Lady, making him a full brother to the record-priced Irish ewe lamb Knockhill Irresistible.

The shearling ewe class was also claimed by a Drumcon His Royal Highness daughter, this time from Wexford breeder John Neville. This tremendous ewe is also destined for Blessington in August.

Ram lamb

In pole position in the novice ram lamb class was Josh Browne of the Kilcoo flock based in Co Wicklow with Mottee View Jynxy, a son of Strathbogie Gypsy King.

Adding to their collection of red ribbons in the junior ram lamb class was the O'Keeffes from Co Cork with a son of Doughanhill Gangster.

It was then over to the March ewe lamb class, where a stylish ewe lamb from Thomas Whitehead, a daughter of Claybury Dunkirk, claimed the plaudits.

The last class of the day was the novice ewe lamb class and it was back to Josh Browne, who took the novice classes by storm, winning first prize with a daughter of Strathbogie Gypsy King.