One family dominated proceedings in the dairy rings at this year’s Balmoral Show, taking red rosettes and champion sashes in all major events they entered. The Hallow Holstein herd, which is based in Co Wexford and owned by Philip Jones and family, took all the top places in the Holstein classes before going one step further to take the supreme dairy interbreed championship.
On their way to number one spot, the Hallow team of three cows collected three first places, champion pairs and the breed championship, reserve championship and honourable mention. They then secured the interbreed pairs.
Dairy interbreed group of three and Holstein champion, reserve and honourble mention all came from Hallow Holsteins. Philip Jones on the halter of teh overall champion Hallow Atwood Twizzle, Andrea Raffery with the reserve champion Hallow Attwood Grace and Conor Morley with teh honourble mention Thevalley Amazing Frost. Congratulated by sponsors Richard Moore and James Black. \ Julie Hazelton
The 2019 dairy interbreed champion was the March 2015-born Hallow Atwood Twizzle. This VG89-classified second-calver is a daughter of the EX96-classified Hallow Advent Twizzle. Atwood Twizzle’s full sister won at the European championship. Calved since December, she is currently giving 45 litres coming off a first lactation of over 12,000kg. In relation to the champion, Holstein judge David Hodgson said the junior cow has everything you look for in a female, with an “absolutely fantastic udder”.
Dairy interbreed champion Hallow Atwood Twizzle, exhibited by Philip Jones
Standing reserve to Twizzle in the Holstein championship and joining her to win pairs was her stablemate Hallow Attwood Grace. This four-year-old cow secured the overall championship at last year’s Emerald Expo and was junior cow champion at the Baileys competition. Calved in December, Grace is a third-calver with her second-lactation yield at over 10,000kg of 4.82% fat and 3.7% protein.
Finishing out the team and taking the honourable mention position in the Holstein championship was Thevalley Amazing Frost. This seven-year-old cow is owned in partnership with Conor Morley and comes from a long line of EX-classified cows. Classified EX93 herself, the fourth calver gave a massive 18,825kg in her last lactation.
Taking the title of reserve dairy interbreed champion and overall Jersey champion was Clandeboye Tequila Cookie. This prolific show cow also claimed the overall Jersey and reserve interbreed titles at the show in 2017. Calved since early November, this third-calver is currently producing 28l per day, with a projected yield of over 7,500kg. Brought out by Clandeboye Estate, this February 2014-born cow also took the title of Jersey all-Britain champion in 2018.
Sheep interbreed
Tapped forward as interbreed sheep champion and going on to secure the title of supreme interspecies champion was the Charollais champion. A homebred ewe from Graham Foster took all before it in the sheep rings, also claiming the reserve breed champion with the ewe’s full sister. Both were sired by Robleston Superman, a ram purchased for 2,200gns in Worchester two years ago. The dam is the homebred ewe sired by a Tullyear ram.
Sheep interbreed and overall interspecies champion was a Charollais ewe from Graham Foster. \ Alfie Shaw
Beef interbreed
Last year saw the Shorthorn breed enter the history books by winning the supreme dairy interbreed championship. This year, it was the beef Shorthorns’ time to shine, with the breed’s champion going all the way to be tapped out as beef champion of champions.
Securing top spot was the four-year-old Ricketstown Lovely from Duncan McDowell. Originally bred by the Kelly family in Co Carlow, this powerhouse of a second-calver was shown alongside her peach of a January heifer calf. Packed with generations of show-stoppers, Lovely is sired by Nevada Nitetime and out of Mogeely Liriope.
Supreme beef interbreed and overall Shorthorn champion Ricketstown Lovely. \ Alfie Shaw
Interbreed judge Daniel Wyllie said of the champion: “She has flesh, mobility and style, is full of breed character and is a fantastic example of the breed.”
This is the first time that McDowell has won the Shorthorn and supreme championships.
Taking the reserve position and the title of second-best beef animal in Balmoral was the Irish-bred Milbrook Nelenya. Bred and exhibited by Willie Smith of Oldcastle, Co Meath, the stylish January 2018-born heifer took all before her in the Limousin ring on Wednesday.
This was Nelenya’s second time being paraded on the day, having secured the supreme junior interbreed title earlier. From the same family line as many of the herd’s previous Balmoral champions, the Vantastic daughter is out of the Neuf-sired daughter Milbrook Enya. This marks the first time the Smiths have exhibited in five years at the show, taking the interbreed title the four consecutive ones before that.
Taking the second reserve in the supreme beef championship was the Charolais champion Elgin Nancy. Owned by Patrick Gallagher, this stylish heifer was also female champion at last year’s Royal Highland Show. Nancy is a daughter of Woodpark Elgin and Elgin Electra. This marks the second time Mr Gallagher has secured the overall Charolais championship at the show, the last time being 2014.
Commercial
The judging of the commercial cattle classes took place in Balmoral on Thursday, with Blackwater Limousins claiming top spot. Tasked with judging the classes was Mark Robertson and, after much deliberation, he tapped out the Limousin-cross heifer Peppa from the Williamson family. Born January 2018, this dark red heifer was purchased at the Carrick-on-Shannon fatstock sale last autumn. Originally bred by the Tynan family from Mountrath, Peppa is a daughter of the herd’s stock bull Craigatoke Jack, with the dam an Elite Forever Brill daughter. Judge Robertson said the champion “carried her weight very well, had power right through” and that she really was the “whole package”. Peppa was also tapped out as reserve junior interbreed champion on Friday. This marks another very successful year for the Williamson outfit, who also secured the commercial championship in 2017.
Standing reserve female and reserve overall commercial champion was a Belgian Blue cross heifer from Strathearn commercials. Owned in partnership with Blair Duffton, the smart all-black heifer won the junior heifer class of the day. Born June 2018, she is sired by Strathbogie Kansas, with the dam a Limousin-cross cow. Originally bred by Craig Robertson, this marks the young heifer’s first day out.
In the steer championship, the top award went the way of Bob Lee Swagger from Alan Veitch. This July 2018-born bull is sired by Limousin bull Trueman Idol and out of a Belgian Blue dam which has bred heifers to 8,000gns.
Beef breeds results
Irish exhibitors Noel and Lisa Dowd were back in the champion’s arena when their yearling bull Creaga Phoenix took the male and reserve overall championship in the Shorthorn section. This January 2018 born bull is homebred on both sides, with her sire Creaga Limited Edition and dam Creaga White Rose. The Dowd family are no strangers to Balmoral, having clinched the overall Shorthorn breed title in 2018.
Male and reserve overall Shorthorn champion Creaga Phoenix, exhibited by Lisa Dowd
Standing male champion and reserve overall in the Limousin classes was Drumhilla Oscar. This young bull was bred and exhibited by JCB commercials with the sire Ampertaine Lance while the dam came from the Haltcliffe herd, having being purchased in Carlisle three years ago. This marks the first outing for the 15-month-old bull, who’s also entered for next month’s Royal Highland Show
Standing reserve champion in the Charolais ring was well-known exhibitor Jack Smyth with Bessiebell Nana. This yearling heifer is a maternal sister to Smyth’s two-show heifer last year, while the sire is Derryharney Jumbo.
Angus
In the Angus ring, the overall championship was scooped up by well-known exhibitors the Matchett family from Portadown. Their January 2018-born heifer Birches Lady Julie U507 took all in front of her in the Angus classes, claiming junior, overall female and overall champion titles. Sired by former stock bull Carrigroe Fred, she goes back to Carrigroe Lady Jane who also claimed a red rosette on the day for the family, despite being 12 years of age.
Standing reserve to Lady Julie was the two-year-old heifer Ashvale Victoria from Richard and Fiona McKeown. This well-built animal is sired by Carrington Park Time On and out of Old Glenort Victoria.
Overall Angus champion Birches Lady Julie U507. \ MacGregor Photography
Belgian Blue
Castletrench Delia took all the plaudits in the Belgian Blue ring, securing the overall championship under judge Jonathon Watson. This nine-year-old cow was purchased last year and secured four breed championships on the circuit last summer.
Standing reserve was last autumn’s calf show champion Springhill Noelle. Bred and exhibited by James and Sam Martin, this January 2018-born heifer is sired by Solway View Dynamite while the dam is homebred Springhill Karla.
Belgian Blue champion Castletrench Delia. \ MacGregor Photography
Hereford
In the last of the major breeds of the morning, the Hereford championship was won by Corraback Cherry. This 20-month-old heifer was brought out by Mervyn Richmond and is a daughter of Kye Rodge, a bull originally bred in Ireland who secured the champion title at the show in 2012.
The reserve championship also went the way of the females, with Richmount 1 Poppy taking the second top position. This stylish heifer was brought out by James Graham and is a daughter of Grousehall Poll 1 Premier.
Hereford champion Corraback Cherry. \ Alfie Shaw
Salers
In the Salers ring, Lisnamaul My Girl was tapped forward as overall champion. This two-year-old heifer was brought out by the Maginn family and is a daughter of Seawell Fitzpatrick. Out of homebred mother Lisnamaul Shelly, the stylish heifer is in calf, due in February. It was a memorable day for the family, having never secured the overall breed championship before. Taking the reserve overall and reserve female championship was Lower Bolie Neala from B&P O’Kane. Shown as a calf, Neala is a daughter of Druide and multi-show-winner Brookfields Abbey.
Blondes
Taking the overall championship for the second year in a row in the Blonde ring was Classic Missy Belle from Ivaniskey Blondes. This January 2016 first-calver took all in front of her last year and continued that run into 2019. Sired by Budore Utah, she is out of Classic Isabella. Taking the reserve overall spot and male championship was Shanvalley Nelson from the Savage family. This April 2017-born bull is a son of the homebred Shanvalley Jagger, which claimed the championship at Balmoral and the Royal Highland in 2017.
Simmental
Simmental champion Ranfurly Jamison. \ Macgregor Photography
The last of the breeds was the Simmentals, which saw the Hazelton family take top spot for the second year in a row. Taking pole position this year was their January 2018-born bull Ranfurly Jamison. Sired by Raceview King, he goes back on a homebred Titan first-calver. Following up to take the reserve was John Nigel Glasgow with Bridgewater Farm Jed. This March 2018-born bull stood second in his class to the champion and followed him all the way to the end. Sired by Promi, he is out of homebred dam Bridgewater Farm Megan.
One family dominated proceedings in the dairy rings at this year’s Balmoral Show, taking red rosettes and champion sashes in all major events they entered. The Hallow Holstein herd, which is based in Co Wexford and owned by Philip Jones and family, took all the top places in the Holstein classes before going one step further to take the supreme dairy interbreed championship.
On their way to number one spot, the Hallow team of three cows collected three first places, champion pairs and the breed championship, reserve championship and honourable mention. They then secured the interbreed pairs.
Dairy interbreed group of three and Holstein champion, reserve and honourble mention all came from Hallow Holsteins. Philip Jones on the halter of teh overall champion Hallow Atwood Twizzle, Andrea Raffery with the reserve champion Hallow Attwood Grace and Conor Morley with teh honourble mention Thevalley Amazing Frost. Congratulated by sponsors Richard Moore and James Black. \ Julie Hazelton
The 2019 dairy interbreed champion was the March 2015-born Hallow Atwood Twizzle. This VG89-classified second-calver is a daughter of the EX96-classified Hallow Advent Twizzle. Atwood Twizzle’s full sister won at the European championship. Calved since December, she is currently giving 45 litres coming off a first lactation of over 12,000kg. In relation to the champion, Holstein judge David Hodgson said the junior cow has everything you look for in a female, with an “absolutely fantastic udder”.
Dairy interbreed champion Hallow Atwood Twizzle, exhibited by Philip Jones
Standing reserve to Twizzle in the Holstein championship and joining her to win pairs was her stablemate Hallow Attwood Grace. This four-year-old cow secured the overall championship at last year’s Emerald Expo and was junior cow champion at the Baileys competition. Calved in December, Grace is a third-calver with her second-lactation yield at over 10,000kg of 4.82% fat and 3.7% protein.
Finishing out the team and taking the honourable mention position in the Holstein championship was Thevalley Amazing Frost. This seven-year-old cow is owned in partnership with Conor Morley and comes from a long line of EX-classified cows. Classified EX93 herself, the fourth calver gave a massive 18,825kg in her last lactation.
Taking the title of reserve dairy interbreed champion and overall Jersey champion was Clandeboye Tequila Cookie. This prolific show cow also claimed the overall Jersey and reserve interbreed titles at the show in 2017. Calved since early November, this third-calver is currently producing 28l per day, with a projected yield of over 7,500kg. Brought out by Clandeboye Estate, this February 2014-born cow also took the title of Jersey all-Britain champion in 2018.
Sheep interbreed
Tapped forward as interbreed sheep champion and going on to secure the title of supreme interspecies champion was the Charollais champion. A homebred ewe from Graham Foster took all before it in the sheep rings, also claiming the reserve breed champion with the ewe’s full sister. Both were sired by Robleston Superman, a ram purchased for 2,200gns in Worchester two years ago. The dam is the homebred ewe sired by a Tullyear ram.
Sheep interbreed and overall interspecies champion was a Charollais ewe from Graham Foster. \ Alfie Shaw
Beef interbreed
Last year saw the Shorthorn breed enter the history books by winning the supreme dairy interbreed championship. This year, it was the beef Shorthorns’ time to shine, with the breed’s champion going all the way to be tapped out as beef champion of champions.
Securing top spot was the four-year-old Ricketstown Lovely from Duncan McDowell. Originally bred by the Kelly family in Co Carlow, this powerhouse of a second-calver was shown alongside her peach of a January heifer calf. Packed with generations of show-stoppers, Lovely is sired by Nevada Nitetime and out of Mogeely Liriope.
Supreme beef interbreed and overall Shorthorn champion Ricketstown Lovely. \ Alfie Shaw
Interbreed judge Daniel Wyllie said of the champion: “She has flesh, mobility and style, is full of breed character and is a fantastic example of the breed.”
This is the first time that McDowell has won the Shorthorn and supreme championships.
Taking the reserve position and the title of second-best beef animal in Balmoral was the Irish-bred Milbrook Nelenya. Bred and exhibited by Willie Smith of Oldcastle, Co Meath, the stylish January 2018-born heifer took all before her in the Limousin ring on Wednesday.
This was Nelenya’s second time being paraded on the day, having secured the supreme junior interbreed title earlier. From the same family line as many of the herd’s previous Balmoral champions, the Vantastic daughter is out of the Neuf-sired daughter Milbrook Enya. This marks the first time the Smiths have exhibited in five years at the show, taking the interbreed title the four consecutive ones before that.
Taking the second reserve in the supreme beef championship was the Charolais champion Elgin Nancy. Owned by Patrick Gallagher, this stylish heifer was also female champion at last year’s Royal Highland Show. Nancy is a daughter of Woodpark Elgin and Elgin Electra. This marks the second time Mr Gallagher has secured the overall Charolais championship at the show, the last time being 2014.
Commercial
The judging of the commercial cattle classes took place in Balmoral on Thursday, with Blackwater Limousins claiming top spot. Tasked with judging the classes was Mark Robertson and, after much deliberation, he tapped out the Limousin-cross heifer Peppa from the Williamson family. Born January 2018, this dark red heifer was purchased at the Carrick-on-Shannon fatstock sale last autumn. Originally bred by the Tynan family from Mountrath, Peppa is a daughter of the herd’s stock bull Craigatoke Jack, with the dam an Elite Forever Brill daughter. Judge Robertson said the champion “carried her weight very well, had power right through” and that she really was the “whole package”. Peppa was also tapped out as reserve junior interbreed champion on Friday. This marks another very successful year for the Williamson outfit, who also secured the commercial championship in 2017.
Standing reserve female and reserve overall commercial champion was a Belgian Blue cross heifer from Strathearn commercials. Owned in partnership with Blair Duffton, the smart all-black heifer won the junior heifer class of the day. Born June 2018, she is sired by Strathbogie Kansas, with the dam a Limousin-cross cow. Originally bred by Craig Robertson, this marks the young heifer’s first day out.
In the steer championship, the top award went the way of Bob Lee Swagger from Alan Veitch. This July 2018-born bull is sired by Limousin bull Trueman Idol and out of a Belgian Blue dam which has bred heifers to 8,000gns.
Beef breeds results
Irish exhibitors Noel and Lisa Dowd were back in the champion’s arena when their yearling bull Creaga Phoenix took the male and reserve overall championship in the Shorthorn section. This January 2018 born bull is homebred on both sides, with her sire Creaga Limited Edition and dam Creaga White Rose. The Dowd family are no strangers to Balmoral, having clinched the overall Shorthorn breed title in 2018.
Male and reserve overall Shorthorn champion Creaga Phoenix, exhibited by Lisa Dowd
Standing male champion and reserve overall in the Limousin classes was Drumhilla Oscar. This young bull was bred and exhibited by JCB commercials with the sire Ampertaine Lance while the dam came from the Haltcliffe herd, having being purchased in Carlisle three years ago. This marks the first outing for the 15-month-old bull, who’s also entered for next month’s Royal Highland Show
Standing reserve champion in the Charolais ring was well-known exhibitor Jack Smyth with Bessiebell Nana. This yearling heifer is a maternal sister to Smyth’s two-show heifer last year, while the sire is Derryharney Jumbo.
Angus
In the Angus ring, the overall championship was scooped up by well-known exhibitors the Matchett family from Portadown. Their January 2018-born heifer Birches Lady Julie U507 took all in front of her in the Angus classes, claiming junior, overall female and overall champion titles. Sired by former stock bull Carrigroe Fred, she goes back to Carrigroe Lady Jane who also claimed a red rosette on the day for the family, despite being 12 years of age.
Standing reserve to Lady Julie was the two-year-old heifer Ashvale Victoria from Richard and Fiona McKeown. This well-built animal is sired by Carrington Park Time On and out of Old Glenort Victoria.
Overall Angus champion Birches Lady Julie U507. \ MacGregor Photography
Belgian Blue
Castletrench Delia took all the plaudits in the Belgian Blue ring, securing the overall championship under judge Jonathon Watson. This nine-year-old cow was purchased last year and secured four breed championships on the circuit last summer.
Standing reserve was last autumn’s calf show champion Springhill Noelle. Bred and exhibited by James and Sam Martin, this January 2018-born heifer is sired by Solway View Dynamite while the dam is homebred Springhill Karla.
Belgian Blue champion Castletrench Delia. \ MacGregor Photography
Hereford
In the last of the major breeds of the morning, the Hereford championship was won by Corraback Cherry. This 20-month-old heifer was brought out by Mervyn Richmond and is a daughter of Kye Rodge, a bull originally bred in Ireland who secured the champion title at the show in 2012.
The reserve championship also went the way of the females, with Richmount 1 Poppy taking the second top position. This stylish heifer was brought out by James Graham and is a daughter of Grousehall Poll 1 Premier.
Hereford champion Corraback Cherry. \ Alfie Shaw
Salers
In the Salers ring, Lisnamaul My Girl was tapped forward as overall champion. This two-year-old heifer was brought out by the Maginn family and is a daughter of Seawell Fitzpatrick. Out of homebred mother Lisnamaul Shelly, the stylish heifer is in calf, due in February. It was a memorable day for the family, having never secured the overall breed championship before. Taking the reserve overall and reserve female championship was Lower Bolie Neala from B&P O’Kane. Shown as a calf, Neala is a daughter of Druide and multi-show-winner Brookfields Abbey.
Blondes
Taking the overall championship for the second year in a row in the Blonde ring was Classic Missy Belle from Ivaniskey Blondes. This January 2016 first-calver took all in front of her last year and continued that run into 2019. Sired by Budore Utah, she is out of Classic Isabella. Taking the reserve overall spot and male championship was Shanvalley Nelson from the Savage family. This April 2017-born bull is a son of the homebred Shanvalley Jagger, which claimed the championship at Balmoral and the Royal Highland in 2017.
Simmental
Simmental champion Ranfurly Jamison. \ Macgregor Photography
The last of the breeds was the Simmentals, which saw the Hazelton family take top spot for the second year in a row. Taking pole position this year was their January 2018-born bull Ranfurly Jamison. Sired by Raceview King, he goes back on a homebred Titan first-calver. Following up to take the reserve was John Nigel Glasgow with Bridgewater Farm Jed. This March 2018-born bull stood second in his class to the champion and followed him all the way to the end. Sired by Promi, he is out of homebred dam Bridgewater Farm Megan.
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: