Eedy Doorman Fame made history at the FBD National Dairy Show held at the Green Glens Arena, Millstreet, Co Cork, over the weekend, when judge Mark Logan named the seven-year-old cow supreme champion on Saturday evening.

It is her third supreme title, following wins in 2023 and 2024. She is the first Irish-bred cow to achieve this accolade, having already become the first cow in over a decade to win the title in two consecutive years.

Bred and exhibited by the Helen family from Clonakilty, Co Cork, the fifth-calver missed the 2025 show because she calved later in the year. Her return to Millstreet capped a remarkable year for the Cork cow, following on from her classification as excellent 97 (EX97) in July, becoming the first Irish-bred cow ever to receive the score.

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Cow family history

In the 44-year history of the show, only one other cow has won the supreme title three times. That cow was the Canadian import Moralta Inspiration Fame, who is the fourth dam of Eedy Doorman Fame. Moralta Inspiration Fame was also the only other cow in Ireland to be classified EX97, back in 1997.

Judge Mark Logan with the championship line up, from left: supreme champion Eedy Doorman Fame, reserve supreme champion Tubbertoby Mirand Abba and honourable nention Jones Knowlesmere Lvictory. \ Jessica Hall

Eedy Doorman Fame was born in August 2019, sired by Val-Bisson Doorman (EX90) and out of Clonpaddin Bk Fame ET (EX94). Jason Helen bought her dam as a calf around 12 years ago, a decision that has left a lasting legacy on the herd.

In August, Eedy Doorman Fame’s granddaughter, Eedy Lamagic Fame, was the top-priced heifer at the annual Eedy youngstock sale, selling for €7,900.

On Saturday, Eedy Doorman Fame also won the class for mature cows in-milk, before going on to claim the exhibitor bred championship.

Judge’s view

Mark Logan, a former president of Holstein UK and a Holstein master breeder from Northern Ireland, judged this year’s show.

He praised the champion’s strong frame, dairy character and presence in the ring, as well as her tight udder and the way she moved. Logan also commented on the high quality and large numbers of cattle forward throughout the day.

Laurence Feeney, CEO of the Irish Holstein Friesian Association, congratulated the Helen family on “a truly historic achievement”. “To win supreme champion three times and to follow in the footsteps of her fourth dam shows the quality of breeding on Irish farms today. It was a privilege to see it happen in Millstreet.”

Reserve champion

Reserve supreme champion went the way of Tubbertoby Mirand Abba, exhibited by P and M Flanagan from Termonfeckin, Co Louth, who milk around 90 cows. The third-calver is by the Australian sire Coomboona Zipit Mirand IMP ET and out of Tubbertoby Unix Akazoo.

Reserve supreme champion and best udder in Show, Tubbertoby Mirand Abba, exhibited by P and M Flanagan, here with judge Mark Logan. \ Mathias Penn

Her pedigree is no stranger to success, with her grandam winning the intermediate champion at the Emerald Expo in 2019. On Saturday, Abba came out on top in the four-year-old cow class, before receiving the award for best udder in the show and ultimately the reserve supreme championship. It is the Flanagans’ second reserve supreme championship in a row at Millstreet, following last year’s win with Tubbertoby Barolo Joy.

Honourable mention

Jones Knowlesmere Lvictory completed the championship lineup, clinching the honourable mention for Jones Cattle Ltd. By Farnear Delta Lambda ET and out of Knowlesmere Jones Unix Victoir, she was also named Holstein intermediate champion earlier in the day. It was a great day for the Hallow herd, with Reserve intermediate champion going to Hallow Lambda Twizzle 2000, whose dam, Hallow Octain Twizzle, was supreme champion in 2025.

Honourable mention and Holstein intermediate champion, Jones Knowlesmere Lvictory, exhibited by Jones Cattle Ltd. \ Jessica Hall

The Holstein junior championship went to the Blondin Alpha daughter, Slatabogie Alpha Mahogany IMP, exhibited by Steve McLoughlin, with Jones Chief Diamond brought out by Jones Cattle Ltd in reserve.

Jersey section

In the Jersey section, the Hynes Family from Co Cork had a remarkable show. Rathard Kasey, sired by FDL Barcelona and out of Rathard Kiki, was named Jersey champion for the second year running, pushing her stablemate Potterswalls Victorious Cash into reserve. The Hynes family also took the Jersey junior championship with Rathard Classic Khassidy, and won both the premier exhibitor and premier breeder awards.

Meanwhile, the confined championship went to Blarney Lambda Pledge, exhibited by Noel Murphy.

Showmanship League

Friday’s young handler classes showcased the next generation of breeders. The final round of the YMA Showmanship League, sponsored by FBD, saw Georgina Hynes win the junior handlers class aged 12 and under; Clodagh Kennelly the intermediate class for those aged 13 to 16; and Jennifer Harty took the senior category, for those aged 17 to 26.

In the novice handler classes, John Hickey, John Barrett and Josephine Kelleher all claimed first prize tickets in their relevant sections. John Barrett, son of Rickey Barrett, then went on to be named champion handler, with Josephine Kelleher in reserve and Aoife Prunty receiving honourable mention.

Record entry

This year’s show attracted a record number of cattle entries, with close to 200 animals forward.

Tom Baker, director of the FBD National Dairy Show, said: “This was possibly one of the best National Dairy Shows ever held, with record attendance, record trade stands and record cattle entries. Thank you to everyone who made such a huge effort over the past few weeks, and to our exhibitors, sponsors and visitors. It will be hard to top this year, but we will give it a go.”