Sligo breeder on top form

Toast of the showring was the sixteen-month-old heifer Tawley Gretta, shown by first-time Balmoral exhibitor Kieran Mullarkey who had made the trip from Ballinfull in County Sligo.

Bred by Irish breeder Declan Oats, she was purchased privately and is one of four breeding females in Mr Mullarkey’s Lissadell Herd established in 2014. Sired by Monaduff Snorter, and bred from Annadale Dainty, this much admired heifer was second in her class at Tullamore Show last year, and was Connaught Calf Champion at Ballinrobe Show.

Breed judge Vikki Woods from the 45-cow Popes Herd based in Preston, Lancashire, said the female and supreme overall champion caught her eye.

“This heifer is sweet, very correct, and well grown for her age. I simply couldn’t go past her.”

Claiming the day’s reserve female and reserve supreme championship ribbons was the September 2014 born Lisglass Fabulous bred by Leslie and Christopher Weatherup, Ballyclare.

Sired by stock bull Dermotstown Delboy – Balmoral champion in 2014 and 2015, her dam is the Woodhall Premier daughter Lisglass Cherry.

“The reserve champion isn’t far behind the supreme winner. They are both good cow makers, and have great futures ahead of them,” added the judge.

Brothers Shane and Paul McDonald, Tempo, scooped the male championship award with their junior bull Coolcran Gladiator.

Sired by former stock bull Kilbride Farm Ahoghill, he is bred from Ashland Juliet Whirlwind – a Raceview Nigel daughter bought privately from neighbouring pedigree breeders Pat and Frank Kelly. This bull was junior champion at the inaugural Pedigree Calf Fair at Balmoral in November, and is a full brother to the 7,000gns Coolcran Dazzler – intermediate champion at Stirling in February 2014.

Nigel Glasgow, Cookstown, made his Balmoral debut to secure the reserve male championship title with the home-bred Bridgewater Farm Gilroy. Sired by Dermotstown Delboy, he is the second calf bred from Ranfurly Beauty 6th – one of 31 cows in the herd.

Kieran Mullarkey’s Tawley Gretta also scooped the junior championship award. Standing in reserve position was the second prize heifer Ranfurly Weikel 16th from David and Jonny Hazelton’s herd in Dungannon.

Results:

Championships

Bobbie Dickson Perpetual Challenge Trophy, for the supreme champion: Kieran Mullarkey, Tawley

Gretta. Reserve: JL and CJ Weatherup, Lisglass Fabulous.

Bangor and Six Road Ends Farmers’ Union Perpetual Trophy, for the female champion: Kieran Mullarkey, Tawley Gretta. Reserve: JL and CJ Weatherup, Lisglass Fabulous.

William Black Memorial Perpetual Cup, for the male champion: S and P McDonald, Coolcran Gladiator.

Reserve: Nigel Glasgow, Bridgewater Farm Gilroy.

News Letter Shield, for the junior champion: Kieran Mullarkey, Tawley Gretta. Reserve: WD and JD Hazelton, Ranfurly Weikel 16th.

NI Simmental Club Silver Award, for the best exhibit bred in Northern Ireland: JL and CJ Weatherup, Lisglass Fabulous.

Class results

Cow,4 born before 01/01/13, in–calf or with calf at foot – 1, Joe Wilson, Ballinlare Farm Allegra by Raceview Valintino Miracle; 2, Nigel Hogan, Curaheen Dancer by Sterling Viking 2nd.

Cow or heifer, born in 2013, in-calf or with calf at foot – 1, Nigel Hogan, Kilbride Farm Eunice 168E by Cairnview Snazzy.

Heifer, born between 01/01/14 and 30/06/14 – 1, WD and JD Hazelton, Ranfurly Lady Diana 24th by Raceview King; 2, Nigel Glasgow, Slievenagh Flirt by Auroch Amos; 3, Andrea and Keith Nelson, Scribby Farms Fiona by Drumlone Anchor.

Heifer, born between 01/07/14 and 31/12/14 – 1, JL and CJ Weatherup, Lisglass Fabulous by Dermotstown Delboy; 2, JL and CJ Weatherup, Lisglass Felicity by Dermotstown Delboy; 3, Joe Wilson, Ballinlare Farm Fleur by Auchorachan Wizard.

Heifer, born on or after 01/01/15 – 1, Kieran Mullarkey, Tawley Gretta by Monaduff Snorter; 2, WD and JD Hazelton, Ranfurly Weikel 16th by Cleenagh Flasher; 3, Adrian Richardson, Cleenagh Good Girl by Ashland Brandy.

Bull, born on or before 31/12/14 – 1, Mike Frazer, Kilbride Farm Enty by Cairnview Snazzy.

Bull, born on or after 01/01/15 – 1, S and P McDonald, Coolcran Gladiator by Kilbride Farm Ahoghill; 2, Nigel Glasgow, Bridgewater Farm Gilroy by Dermotstown Delboy; 3, Joe Wilson, Ballinlare Farm Goldenballs by Auchorachan Wizard.

Pair, property of exhibitor – 1, JL and CJ Weatherup ; 2, Joe Wilson; 3, Nigel Hogan.