Ballymena boasts top class Salers line-up

Exhibitors from across Northern Ireland competed in front of judge Mr John Burke of the Manusmore herd, Co. Clare, who commended the calves put before him.

With entries from Ballykeel, Drumlegagh, Hollyhill, Killyboggin, Lisnamaul and Lower Bolie, it truly was a spectacular line-up of the Salers stars of the future.

The Drumlegagh herd from J & E A Elliott led from the front with two standout entries. Drumlegagh Ultra-Violet, born 7 September 2024 and sired by Rocky, emerged as the senior heifer class winner, sponsored by Ernco Group, Derrylin. She went all the way to the top, winning the prestigious Senior Championship rosette and sash sponsored by HVS Animal Health, before claiming the Overall Championship title later in the day. Out of Drumlegagh Pricilla, John Burke praised her for “carrying all the hallmarks of a tremendous cow”.

Standing second was Drumlegagh Udelia, a Tresor daughter out of Drumlegagh Scarlett, who was crowned Reserve Senior Champion.

An Imperial son took centre stage in the intermediate bull classes, which were kindly sponsored by William Bell Tractors, Fivemiletown. All entrants in the intermediate and junior classes were eligible for the HVS Animal Health Junior Championship competition. The January–March 2025 class was one of the most competitive of the day, headed by Ballykeel Vigour, a March-born son of Imperial exhibited by Seamus, Christine and Cadain Connell. Out of Drumaglea Oyster, who was purchased at the Premier Show and Sale at Castle Douglas in 2021 and who bred the 2024 Balmoral Show class winner Ballykeel SnapChat, this stylish calf went on to secure the Overall Junior Championship later in the show.

Second place went to Lower Bolie Volcan from B & P O’Kane, ably assisted by Declan Ward. A son of Lower Bolie Talisman, Volcan came from the well-known Spice Girl cow line. Third was Killyboggin Victor from Kyle Fleming. Victor was sired by Drumlegagh Nebraska, a name recognised from the show circuit and his own appearance at Balmoral Show, and Victor was out of Lisnamaul Pear.

Leading the line in the intermediate heifer section, sponsored by Wilsons Yard, Dromore, was Drumlegagh Vicki, another powerful daughter of Tresor, this time out of Drumlegagh Savannah, who herself has won numerous show awards including being crowned Overall Champion at the Clogher Valley Show in June 2025.

Second place went to Lower Bolie Vogue from B & P O’Kane, a Whitebog Convenor daughter from Lower Bolie Sophia ET, who herself formed part of the winning Interbreed Team of Five at Balmoral 2024. Third was Lisnamaul Velvet from P J Maginn & Sons, one of three Lisnamaul entries brought out by Stephen and Hannah Maginn. She was sired by Drumaglea Pinky and out of Lisnamaul Ruby, a Herbin daughter out of Orchidee.

The Junior Bull Class, kindly sponsored by Isla Campbell Photography, saw Lisnamaul Vinny, a May-born son of the 2025 Balmoral Show Champion of Champions, Sidney, and bred from another Balmoral Show Breed Champion, Lisnamaul Princess, take the red rosette before later securing reserve in the Junior Championship line-up.

The Junior Heifer Class, sponsored by the Hole in the Wall, Armagh, was won by Lisnamaul Valentine, another smart daughter of Drumaglea Pinky, this time out of Lisnamaul Raegan. Second place went to Ryan O’Neill’s Hollyhill Violet, a Hollyhill Tommy daughter bred from Brookfields Paris.

The Pairs Class, kindly sponsored by R & K Blair, Ballyclare, was won by Drumlegagh, whose type and consistency caught the judge’s eye. Lower Bolie took second, with Lisnamaul placing third.

At the close of judging, Drumlegagh Ultra-Violet returned to claim the title of Overall Salers Champion, while Ballykeel Vigour added to his earlier success by securing the Reserve Overall Championship.

The future was also on show in a very strong young handlers’ section that was supported by sponsorship from Countryside Services and W K Powell, Keady. The Salers young handlers performed with confidence and enthusiasm. It was Sophie Wilson, aged eleven, from the Brookfields herd who claimed a sixth-place rosette in the junior section, while fifteen-year-old Chloe Small from Randalstown was awarded fifth place in the intermediate section. Their participation ensured that the future of Salers remains bright.

The Salers Cattle Society of the UK and the Area 4 Salers Club in Northern Ireland would like to express sincere thanks to:

- Seamus Connell, for organising the Salers entries and catalogue on behalf of the Area 4 Club

- Ballymena Livestock Market, for excellent facilities and support

- Judge John Burke, for his time, expertise and thorough assessment

- Willie McElroy and Bo Davidson, for the photography

- Countryside Services, for sponsoring the young handler classes

- HVS Animal Health, for sponsoring the championships

- Dave Gibson, for his organisation of the event

- All exhibitors and supporters who contributed to a strong showing

The Salers classes were generously sponsored by the Salers Cattle Society UK, Ernco Group, Isla Campbell Photography, William Bell Tractors, Wilsons Yard, The Hole in the Wall Bar, W K Powell, R & K Blair, and HVS Animal Health.

The Four Breed Calf Show once again illustrated the strength, consistency and ongoing improvement of the Salers breed across Northern Ireland.