Over 60 phenomenal commercial cattle battled it out on the green lawns of Balmoral on Thursday in front of judge Neil Hardisty from Cleator.
In the end, it was the outstanding young black heifer Armani which took the ultimate prize.
Owned by well-known Limousin breeder Trevor Shields, Armani was exceptionally brought out by John, Shauna and Katrina Killeen.
Born in June 2025, she was bred in Co Cork by Noel McSweeney, who sold her at the Winter Fair in Carrick-on-Shannon in November for €15,000, when she was just 280kg.
Sired by the Limousin breed legend Ampertaine Elgin, her dam is an Imperial-bred cow, whose full sister produced the overall commercial champion at the same venue in 2022.
Reserve overall commercial champion at Balmoral Show 2026 Runway Ready, owned by Jalex Livestock. \ Daragh Giblin
In reserve was another show-stopping black heifer Runway Ready, brought out by James Alexander. Born in April 2025, this Belgian Blue-cross heifer is a daughter of Dovea's show calf specialist Notaire Du Tordoir.
Bred in Co Donegal by Cian McGloin, she was also purchased at the Winter Fair in November for €16,000, where she stood reserve overall champion Belgian Blue.
Pick up a copy of next week's Irish Farmers Journal for a full report from the classes.
Over 60 phenomenal commercial cattle battled it out on the green lawns of Balmoral on Thursday in front of judge Neil Hardisty from Cleator.
In the end, it was the outstanding young black heifer Armani which took the ultimate prize.
Owned by well-known Limousin breeder Trevor Shields, Armani was exceptionally brought out by John, Shauna and Katrina Killeen.
Born in June 2025, she was bred in Co Cork by Noel McSweeney, who sold her at the Winter Fair in Carrick-on-Shannon in November for €15,000, when she was just 280kg.
Sired by the Limousin breed legend Ampertaine Elgin, her dam is an Imperial-bred cow, whose full sister produced the overall commercial champion at the same venue in 2022.
Reserve overall commercial champion at Balmoral Show 2026 Runway Ready, owned by Jalex Livestock. \ Daragh Giblin
In reserve was another show-stopping black heifer Runway Ready, brought out by James Alexander. Born in April 2025, this Belgian Blue-cross heifer is a daughter of Dovea's show calf specialist Notaire Du Tordoir.
Bred in Co Donegal by Cian McGloin, she was also purchased at the Winter Fair in November for €16,000, where she stood reserve overall champion Belgian Blue.
Pick up a copy of next week's Irish Farmers Journal for a full report from the classes.
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