Despite a chilly start and few light showers in between, the sun broke through and shone down on the famous green lawns of Balmoral on Wednesday, where the Wilson family from Co Down achieved the unthinkable – winning both the Charolais and Simmental championships.
Retaining her title from 2025 and lifting the supreme Simmental award for the Wilson family was the super cow and calf outfit Ballinlare Farm Nikita.
Sired by Saltire Impressive, this three-year-old cow was shown with a beautiful calf at foot.
Reserve to her was Lisglass Sapphire, an April 2025-born daughter of the great Raceview King, exhibited by the Weatherup family.
Charolais
Completing the double and taking the supreme Charolais award for the Wilson family was Ballinlare Ultron, a tremendous senior bull sired by Balthayock Justice.
The March 2023-born bull fought off some serious competition to claim the supreme Charolais title in front of judge Alan Drysdale, beating team Connolly into reserve with Brigadoon Virginia, a two-year-old daughter of Newhouse Maximus.
Aberdeen Angus
In the Aberdeen Angus section, judge Graeme Fraser of the Idvies Herd in Scotland awarded the overall championship to the supreme champion from 2025, Old Glenort Victorious Y514, exhibited by James Porter. Born in February 2022, this senior bull is a son of Carlhurlie Gentilex S124.
Pushing him all the way to claim the reserve title was the March 2023-born cow, Old Glenort Victoria Z155, again bred by the James Porter and exhibited by owner Lucy Rodgers. She is a daughter of Blelack Dakota.
Hereford
In the Hereford ring, Somerville 1 Winnie (P) was crowned overall champion by judge Anselm Fitzgerald of the Grianan herd in Co Westmeath.
Exhibited by the Russell family, this September 2022-born cow and calf outfit is a daughter of Normanton 1 Laertes.
In reserve was the Irish-bred senior bull, Carrowboy 1 Perfect, brought out by Mh farms.
Judging of the Hereford classes at the Balmoral Show 2026. \ Philip Doyle
Limousin
On his first time exhibiting at Balmoral, Niall Feeney claimed the overall Limousin title with Cranmoney Vee, a powerful two-year-old daughter of Graiggoch Rambo.
Vaddyview Vee claimed the supreme champion Limousin for first time exhibitor, Niall Feeney.
Lucy Rodgers picked up the reserve champion with Drapershill Veronica, an April 2024-born daughter of Huntershall Rodman.
British Blondes
Overall champion in the British Blondes went the way of Dernasigh Tiger Lilly shown alongside her bull calf Dernasigh Angel Eyes for Molly Bradley.
British Blues
Over in the British Blues, Croobs Blues senior cow Johnston Sapphire was tapped forward as overall champion, making it two in a row at Balmoral for the Mountjoy Utopia sired cow. In reserve was Cairnview Uptown Girl, an October 2024-born heifer by Dodou De St Remacle.
Salers
Stephen Maginn took the championship honours in the Salers ring for the second year in a row, this time with his senior cow and calf outfit, Perle, sired by Jaguar.
Pushing her all the way was the September 2023-born bull Drumlegagh Troy, the property of J and E A Elliot.
Shorthorns
Leanne Green had a wonderful day in the Shorthorns as she picked up the overall champion with Derriaghy Lovely Tess sired by Bethlehem Malton EX95 ably shown by David Rea.
Irish judge Tommy Staunton then picked out James Porter's senior bull, Uppermill Globetrotter 2ND as reserve overall champion.
Supreme Beef Shorthorn Champion shown by David Rea with owner Leanne Green of Derriaghy Shorthorns and judge Tommy Staunton. \ Peter Houston
Dexters
Matthew Bloomer proved the one to beat in the Dexter ring, claiming the supreme championship with his senior bull, Ballyhartfield Barua, a Northbrook JR son.
Irish Moiled
Meanwhile, Burren Royal Pandora took the championship ribbons in the Irish Moiled section under judge Steven O'Kane for the second year in a row.
Irish Moiled Supreme Champion Burren Royal Pandora, shown by Nigel Edwards and owner Michelle McCauley. \ Peter Houston
Stay tuned for all the updates from the commercial classes on Thursday 14 May.
Despite a chilly start and few light showers in between, the sun broke through and shone down on the famous green lawns of Balmoral on Wednesday, where the Wilson family from Co Down achieved the unthinkable – winning both the Charolais and Simmental championships.
Retaining her title from 2025 and lifting the supreme Simmental award for the Wilson family was the super cow and calf outfit Ballinlare Farm Nikita.
Sired by Saltire Impressive, this three-year-old cow was shown with a beautiful calf at foot.
Reserve to her was Lisglass Sapphire, an April 2025-born daughter of the great Raceview King, exhibited by the Weatherup family.
Charolais
Completing the double and taking the supreme Charolais award for the Wilson family was Ballinlare Ultron, a tremendous senior bull sired by Balthayock Justice.
The March 2023-born bull fought off some serious competition to claim the supreme Charolais title in front of judge Alan Drysdale, beating team Connolly into reserve with Brigadoon Virginia, a two-year-old daughter of Newhouse Maximus.
Aberdeen Angus
In the Aberdeen Angus section, judge Graeme Fraser of the Idvies Herd in Scotland awarded the overall championship to the supreme champion from 2025, Old Glenort Victorious Y514, exhibited by James Porter. Born in February 2022, this senior bull is a son of Carlhurlie Gentilex S124.
Pushing him all the way to claim the reserve title was the March 2023-born cow, Old Glenort Victoria Z155, again bred by the James Porter and exhibited by owner Lucy Rodgers. She is a daughter of Blelack Dakota.
Hereford
In the Hereford ring, Somerville 1 Winnie (P) was crowned overall champion by judge Anselm Fitzgerald of the Grianan herd in Co Westmeath.
Exhibited by the Russell family, this September 2022-born cow and calf outfit is a daughter of Normanton 1 Laertes.
In reserve was the Irish-bred senior bull, Carrowboy 1 Perfect, brought out by Mh farms.
Judging of the Hereford classes at the Balmoral Show 2026. \ Philip Doyle
Limousin
On his first time exhibiting at Balmoral, Niall Feeney claimed the overall Limousin title with Cranmoney Vee, a powerful two-year-old daughter of Graiggoch Rambo.
Vaddyview Vee claimed the supreme champion Limousin for first time exhibitor, Niall Feeney.
Lucy Rodgers picked up the reserve champion with Drapershill Veronica, an April 2024-born daughter of Huntershall Rodman.
British Blondes
Overall champion in the British Blondes went the way of Dernasigh Tiger Lilly shown alongside her bull calf Dernasigh Angel Eyes for Molly Bradley.
British Blues
Over in the British Blues, Croobs Blues senior cow Johnston Sapphire was tapped forward as overall champion, making it two in a row at Balmoral for the Mountjoy Utopia sired cow. In reserve was Cairnview Uptown Girl, an October 2024-born heifer by Dodou De St Remacle.
Salers
Stephen Maginn took the championship honours in the Salers ring for the second year in a row, this time with his senior cow and calf outfit, Perle, sired by Jaguar.
Pushing her all the way was the September 2023-born bull Drumlegagh Troy, the property of J and E A Elliot.
Shorthorns
Leanne Green had a wonderful day in the Shorthorns as she picked up the overall champion with Derriaghy Lovely Tess sired by Bethlehem Malton EX95 ably shown by David Rea.
Irish judge Tommy Staunton then picked out James Porter's senior bull, Uppermill Globetrotter 2ND as reserve overall champion.
Supreme Beef Shorthorn Champion shown by David Rea with owner Leanne Green of Derriaghy Shorthorns and judge Tommy Staunton. \ Peter Houston
Dexters
Matthew Bloomer proved the one to beat in the Dexter ring, claiming the supreme championship with his senior bull, Ballyhartfield Barua, a Northbrook JR son.
Irish Moiled
Meanwhile, Burren Royal Pandora took the championship ribbons in the Irish Moiled section under judge Steven O'Kane for the second year in a row.
Irish Moiled Supreme Champion Burren Royal Pandora, shown by Nigel Edwards and owner Michelle McCauley. \ Peter Houston
Stay tuned for all the updates from the commercial classes on Thursday 14 May.
SHARING OPTIONS